As a Christian and a pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), I am pleased to share the following letter with our readers. Very often, it seems to me, it is believed (or assumed) that "Christian" equals "homophobic" and "anti-marriage equality." Granted, many devout Christians firmly believe homosexuality is a sin ... but that DOESN'T mean we all do. And granted, many people who call themselves Christian have acted horrifically un-Christlike toward the LGBT community and have given the rest of us an undeserved "bad name."

By Heidi Mann, Associate Editor

Rev. Heidi Mann serves as Associate Editor, copy-editor, "Someone You MUST Know" feature author, and all around "God send" for 10,000 Couples. She is also a freelancer and owns Final Touch Proofreading and Editing, LLC. Heidi has been something of a wordsmith in various contexts throughout her life, from junior high, when she first started writing poetry; through high school, college, and graduate school, where writing skills came in very handy; and on through 13+ years of ministry as a pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), a role in which she wrote regularly for sermons, newsletters, and correspondence. Heidi lives in the tiny and delightful town of Hendrum, Minn., with her husband, 2 young sons, and 4 mischievous cats.