“Let It Shine”
By: Rev. Thomas D. Busteed
October 7, 2025
“This little light of mine: I’m gonna let it shine!” This was my absolute favorite song in Sunday School. As a child, I remember being filled with awe and wonder at candlelight. I loved the way it gently flickered, casting a warm light upon the dinner table. I remember looking forward to Christmas Eve when candlelight illuminated the church with a cheerful glow. I remember my baby sister’s baptism when the pastor held up a baptismal candle and said
“Let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
Similarly, Jesus said “No one lights a lamp and then covers it with a bowl or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on top of a lampstand so that those who enter can see the light” (Luke 8:16 CEB). It might seem silly to cover a lamp with a bowl or a bed. Such an action has the effect of smothering the flame by cutting off its oxygen. Sadly, for many LGBTQIA+ Christians, this is what being in the closet is like. A jar candle can continue to glow for a brief while once a lid is put on it, but eventually the flame uses up all the oxygen left inside the jar and soon extinguishes. Many have compared being in the closet to quietly suffocating to death. Likewise, once people come out, they speak of “relief” and “joy” and “finally being able to show their true selves.” In other words, they begin to shine!
I have found the same phenomenon to be true in congregations. When St. Matthias in Carlisle Springs called me as their vicar in 2018, one of the goals we mutually agreed upon was that I would help them navigate the Reconciling in Christ (RIC) process. This program helps congregations honestly assess how inviting and welcoming they are to people of various races, genders, sexual identities, socioeconomic statuses, and abilities. Then the program provides a pathway with resources for congregations who wish to strengthen their welcome and become more intentionally inclusive. St. Matthias already had LGBTQIA+ people in the congregation, many of whom grew up in the congregation and had relatives there. However, the fear of offending or upsetting the surrounding community and other members in the congregation essentially put a lid on the conversation. The congregation was still full of love and hope for the future, but its light–its identity– was being smothered.
The first step was listening. One on one conversations with various members revealed remarkable consensus on the issues that faced them. In general, these conversations went something like: “So-and-so’s daughter is gay and we love her and her partner” Or “So-and-so’s kid is transgender and we love them.” Invariably, the conversation would end: “I’m ok with LGBT…but I’m not so sure if [insert name of person who sits in the other pew over there] would be ok with it.” Nine times out of ten they were referring to each other as the person in the pew over there. There was such fear about starting a conversation with that other person because it might cause conflict.
The next step was providing a safe space in which the conversation could happen for those who were ready to risk it. We did this by beginning an adult forum series where we looked at the clobber passages of scripture. We used Reconciling Scripture For Lutherans to help guide our study and conversation. As we began prying the lid off the conversation, I watched in amazement as people who had known one another for decades began to light up with excitement realizing that they were not alone in their views, and that they were not alone in their hope that one day their church could become a more welcoming and inviting place, especially for LGBTQIA+ people.
A few months later, St. Matthias voted to become a RIC congregation, just in time for it to be announced at Carlisle Pride. St. Matthias had finally reclaimed its identity: a congregation where all are welcomed to be a part of God’s inclusive family. Others in the community began lifting up St. Matthias, as if to put it on a lampstand, so that others could see the light of acceptance and reconciliation shining forth from this congregation. In other words: St. Matthias finally came out.
October 11 is National Coming Out Day. We are reminded of all the ways we as individuals and congregations are invited to “come out” of the closet so that we can become a beacon to those around us looking for the light of welcome for all God’s children. As dialogue and rhetoric in our world often rages towards hate and fear-mongering, we can be bold and remember the second verse of “This Little Light of Mine” which says: “Hide it under a bushel? No! I’m gonna let it shine.” We can let our light shine in myriad ways: perhaps by wearing a rainbow, or placing some symbol such as a pink triangle in an office window. You could also consider supporting a synod justice ministry through your volunteer time or your benevolence giving. If you see someone being bullied, you can stand in solidarity with them and offer your presence and support. Whichever ways we help, when we join our lights together, the brighter we shine.
Let us pray: We give you thanks, O God, that you have accepted us as members of Christ’s body. Grant us grace to listen to others, even when it challenges us. Grant us courage to engage in conversations, even when it is difficult to do. Help us to stand with those who need us to stand with them, and may your light shine in us so that others may see it and turn to you. Amen.
“Whether you are from here, or from far away; whether you are constrained by present circumstances, or free to openly be who you are; whatever gender you identify as; Christ’s light shines in you.”
Galatians 3:28 paraphrased
Rev. Thomas D. Busteed is an ELCA pastor in the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod, currently serving as senior pastor at Zion’s Lutheran, Old Zionsville since 2022. He went through ELCA candidacy in Lower Susquehanna Synod where he was vicar at St. Matthias, Carlisle Springs 2018-2020. He is finishing up a term as co-convener of the NEPA Synod LGBTQIA+ Taskforce and also serves as dean of the 24 congregations, 62 rostered ministers, and 5 affiliated ministries of the Lehigh Mission District (conference).
Learn More & Get Involved
The NEPA Synod’s LGBTQIA+ Taskforce works to help congregations and leaders “let their light shine” by fostering welcome, inclusion, and celebration of God’s diverse family.
If your congregation is exploring how to grow in this work, or if you personally feel called to connect, visit our synod's LGBTQIA+ Taskforce webpage or explore additional resources at ReconcilingWorks.org to learn more and join in shining Christ’s light of love and justice.