Pastor Darin Easler’s journey is one of commitment, authenticity, and transformative advocacy. From his beginnings in the rural midwest to his impactful ministry and role in advancing LGBTQ+ inclusion in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Darin’s life reflects a deep commitment to pastoral care and social transformation. Alongside his partner, Bradley Schmeling, this pair helped shape the church's approach to same-sex partnerships, paving the way for greater acceptance and policy reform.
Growing up on a farm in rural Iowa, Darin developed a deep spirituality from an early age. His love for animals and nature sparked profound questions about life and death, particularly after witnessing the passing of beloved animals. Raised in a devout Lutheran household, he experienced a formative high school relationship that challenged some of his assumptions concerning religious spirituality and belonging. His girlfriend at the time was a member of the Bahá’í tradition, and their differing religious backgrounds was challenging to reconcile. Despite the tensions, Darin described the relationship as heart warming and eye-opening, broadening his perspective on other ways of being and believing. During moments of difficulty and discernment, he recalls feeling God’s presence in a very physiological way, like a burden being lifted from his shoulders—a comfort he would draw upon many times throughout his journey.
Though there were familial expectations for him to continue working in farming, Darin felt a strong call to ministry. This calling grew deeper during his undergraduate studies in Public Service and Administration in Agriculture, ultimately leading him to enroll in seminary, where he found profound meaning and fulfillment in the hands-on work of ministry and pastoral care.
Darin was ordained on October 4, 1998, and began his first ministerial call in Zumbrota, Minnesota. While serving this congregation in a small town, he faced the challenge of preaching authentically while remaining closeted. Darin recalls congregants attempting to set him up with potential girlfriends and having to navigate their questioning delicately. In 2002, amidst denominational studies on LGBTQ+ inclusion, Darin came out to his congregation. At the time, ELCA policy permitted clergy to identify as LGBTQ+ but prohibited them from being in “homosexual sexual relationships.” However, the implementation of this policy had been inconsistent across the denomination, with some churches choosing to disregard it in support of openly partnered gay clergy. Darin’s decision to come out sparked a period of deep reflection, leading him to leave his call as a parish pastor in Zumbrota and enroll in a Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) residency program in Minneapolis. This allowed him to refine his chaplaincy skills while exploring his formation as a minister—embracing his sexuality without being confined by it. During this time, the denomination placed him “on leave-from-call” status, but when the bishop later became aware of Darin’s relationship with Bradley, the decision was made to not renew Darin’s on-leave from call status and to simply have Darin’s name removed from the clergy roster at the three year mark, without official explanation recorded by the church for why this action took place, i.e. for violating the church’s official policy re LGBTQ rostered ministers. Darin noted this was the more common tactic employed by the ELCA at that time as countless LGBTQ clergy were “quietly dismissed” and simply “disappeared” from the clergy roster.
Darin met Bradley Schmeling in Minneapolis at a conference organized by Lutherans Concerned/North America now called “Reconciling Works,” an organization advocating for the full inclusion and participation of LGBTQ persons in the life and public ministries of the Lutheran Church. Their relationship marked a significant turning point in their lives and in the church’s history. Darin and Bradley fell in love and a year later, Darin moved to Atlanta, to join Bradley, who was serving as the pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Atlanta. While in Atlanta, Darin did additional training in Clinical Pastoral Education and then work in the hospice field in both Chaplaincy and Bereavement support. For that first year in Georgia, Bradley and Darin were tasked with moving-in together, establishing Darin’s employment, stabilizing their relationship, and making the complex decision to come out as a couple. They both understood the potential conflict that would ensue between Bradley’s congregation and in the denomination at-large. While Darin was dedicated to his own chaplaincy work supporting families and individuals dealing with end-of-life issues, he also remained steadfast in his support of Bradley’s ministry at St. John’s. After a short time of difficult discernment together, they were ready to advocate for change. Bradley informed his bishop about their relationship, and he was asked to resign from his position at St. John’s Church. Bradley refused, citing his commitment to the congregation who had called him to be their pastor. Subsequently, the synod leadership filed disciplinary charges against him, leading to a week-long ecclesiastical trial in 2007. The St. John’s congregation stood firmly by Bradley and Darin’s side.
During the trial, Bradley faced a church attorney and a hearing committee of twelve individuals assembled by the churchwide organization. Bradley, Darin, and St. John’s were supported by two attorneys, a legal team, and multiple witnesses who testified about church policy and history. The proceedings garnered national media attention, with prayer services held across the country in solidarity. Reflecting on the experience, Darin recalled the overwhelming sense of encouragement: “It was certainly not just us. It was... a whole wave of support in love and witness.”
The hearing committee ultimately ruled against Bradley, upholding its policy prohibiting partnered gay clergy, and following an unsuccessful appeal, Bradley was removed from the clergy roster. Even though Bradley was no longer recognized as a pastor in the ELCA, Bradley continued in his role as Pastor of St. John’s. While this was a heartbreaking result for Bradley, Darin, and the congregation, this catalyzing event brought a sharper focus to the policies of the church and helped pave the way for policy change in 2009. However, disappointed they were,
Darin remembers finding strength in their faith and community. The outpouring of support helped them to “remain really grounded” and to resist the pressure to become polarized and angry towards the church policy. Darin cherished Bradley’s ability to differentiate between fallible human policy and God’s unconditional love. They chose to walk the middle path of love and forgiveness, feeling the grace of God through the support of others.
Bradley’s case galvanized efforts to reform ELCA policies. By 2009, the ELCA adopted a policy allowing partnered LGBTQ+ clergy to serve, a monumental victory for inclusion within the denomination. Following the policy change, both Darin and Bradley were reinstated to the clergy roster in 2010. Darin highlighted the importance of community, support, and prayer in healing and rebuilding trust within the church, noting that forgiveness and reconciliation is not an instantaneous event, but an ongoing process and journey. He emphasized the role of sharing personal stories in the healing process and continues to feel the impact of their experience in the ongoing struggle for acceptance within the church. He recognized the need for continued advocacy and dialogue to create a more inclusive and welcoming space for LGBTQ individuals. He expressed hope that sharing his story could inspire others and contribute to a more open, affirming, and welcoming world and church.
In 2012, Darin and Bradley returned to Minnesota, where Darin continued his ministry in chaplaincy work, and Bradley accepted a call to serve a congregation in St. Paul. They were legally married in 2014, on the tenth anniversary of their union. Their journey, defined by resilience and faith, reflects a broader shift within the ELCA toward embracing diversity and inclusion. While Bradley’s role in the pulpit brought him greater public visibility than his partner, Darin’s unwavering dedication to caregiving through trials and tribulations stands as a powerful testament to the transformative impact of steadfast love.
(This biographical profile was written by Emily McKown for a fall 2024 Queer and Trans Theologies class at the United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities from an interview with Darin Easler and was reviewed by Easler.)
Biography Date: June 2025