The terms we use for minority groups are not just about political correctness. I believe they are of spiritual consequence. If we use words that dignify people’s (often painful) journey toward self-understanding and authenticity, we can actually bestow honor on them, affirm them as image-bearers of God, and show them hospitality. When we impose our…
Lately I’ve been having great conversations with straight cisgender Christians who ask how they can best support the LGBTQ+ Christian community. These are important questions, and I’ve been hearing more and more innovative, contextual ideas. As a catalyst to this ongoing conversation, consider the following suggestions… 1. Open up your homes. There are several…
On the final morning of last month’s Gay Christian Network (GCN) conference in Portland, which our staff from New Direction attended, it was clear that the conference organizers had gone to great lengths to figure out how to serve communion to 1300 participants from multiple denominations. It may have taken more time to explain how to receive…
I received an email from a pastor today. He is part of a group that I will be speaking to in a couple of weeks. The email contained a video clip of Rob Bell and a British theologian named Andrew Wilson. The pastor in the email admonishes the group to watch the video before my…
Imagine a place of unconditional acceptance….. A place where everyone around you is willing to be a friend even if you don’t know them. Imagine a place where you know that you have something deeply personal in common with everyone around you, even if you have no clue who they are. Imagine a place where…
I haven’t written much about HIV/AIDS on this blog for a few reasons. First, I don’t feel like I have the knowledge to write helpful posts on the topic. Second, while this is an important topic, it hasn’t been a particular focus at New Direction. And third, I do not want to perpetuate the stereotype…
I received a couple of emails yesterday that reinforce to me why the conversation around reorientation continues to be needed – even if only to once and for all “pull the barn down”. I don’t think these emails were in response to my recent blogs – they seem to have just come from people who…
As some of you know, I started work on my doctorate degree last week. I’ve always loved to learn and I am excited after 12 years to be back in school. It is a three – four year program of studies that are meant to coincide with continuing on in your ministry position. So while…
So I’ve been resisting writing this post since the end of my sabbatical two and a half years ago. But given the last seven lengthy, rather dense posts, I thought this was the perfect opportunity to share it. Growing up we weren’t allowed to have pets. For a brief period we had a kitten named…
Last week I finished the excellent new release by Chris Heuertz and Christine Pohl, “Friendship at the Margins: Discovering Mutuality in Service and Mission”. On the front cover is an image entitled, “Jesus Eats With Friends”. It’s an image in which I found myself caught up in the circle of relationship. Reading this book brought…