Dear Bishop Budde,
I am writing to express my deep gratitude for your courage and your steadfast commitment to the teachings of Jesus, even in the face of opposition that must feel unbearable at times.
I am the son of a pastor, and my father’s ministry came to an end not because he failed to live up to the values of his calling, but because he refused to compromise them. He called out the Pharisees in the church leadership, those who used God’s name for their own vanity and power, and it cost him everything. That experience pushed me out of the church and, for a long time, out of faith itself.
But the teachings of Jesus, the truths my father preached and lived, stayed with me. Through years of my own introspection, I found my way back, not to the institution, but to the path of following Jesus’ message: love, service, and a radical commitment to justice.
While you and I might differ in our theology, I see in you the truth of the message that binds us both, the imperative to not only speak faith, but to act on it. Watching you take that stand, witnessing your willingness to stand firm on principle in a moment that demanded courage, has moved me in ways I cannot fully articulate.
The reaction to your sermon from those who claim to follow Christ was heartbreaking. To see people twist the gospel into something so far removed from the love and compassion of Jesus, and to direct their venom at you for speaking truth, is a profound tragedy. But I want you to know this: you have inspired me.
I was working on my book when I heard your words and saw the storm you faced. I couldn’t stay silent. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that silence in the face of tyranny, whether spiritual or political, is complicity. Your courage spurred me to pause my work and pick up my own pen, to write and send letters in the hope that my words, however imperfect, might help others find their voice and stand against the forces of hate and oppression.
I know that standing in your position comes with heavy burdens. I know the attacks you endure take their toll. But I want to remind you that your courage and your faithfulness are making a difference. They are planting seeds that you may never see grow, but I promise you, they are growing.
Thank you for being a light in these dark times, for standing strong when others falter, and for reminding us all of what it truly means to follow Christ. Please stay strong. You are not alone in this fight.
With gratitude and solidarity,
R.L. Lawrence