More Evangelicals Becoming Gay Affirming?

A few years ago, a friend of mine who is a well-known leader in the emerging church movement told me that many evangelical leaders are quietly questioning their traditional stance on homosexuality. These leaders are open to a gay affirming position, but have kept quiet for fear of alienating their congregations. However, now evangelical leaders—and [...]

Homosexuality and Church Polity

This particular post is geared toward eliciting feedback from those who believe that homosexuality is not blessed by God, but are uncertain how to address the issue within church governance and their own congregations. However, I am also interested in hearing from people of all perspectives on how churches with conservative sexual ethics should address [...]

What I Learned from Kim and Luane

This post is part of a synchroblog sponsored by New Direction. Over 50 bloggers are simultaneously posting articles on June 24th on the topic of bridging the gap between the church and the gay community.  Participants hail from a variety of persuasions. Check out the list of other bloggers at Bridging the Gap.
I was annoyed. [...]

Ch. 1-2: Love Is an Orientation

This post is part of a “book club” discussion series on Andrew Marin’s Love Is an Orientation: Elevating the Conversation with the Gay Community. The format below includes snippets from the book, accompanied by various questions. Feel free to add your own questions and thoughts from these chapters as well.  Chapters 1-2 are covered here.
1. [...]

Engaging in Sustained Dialogue

Since we have been talking about “bridging the gap” and engaging in conversation with those who have different viewpoints, I thought I would post this article I wrote on Sustained Dialogue. It was first published at Gifted for Leadership last year. True tolerance is not about forcing everyone to agree with our own personal opinions. [...]

Bridging the Gap

Several years ago, when I visited a GLBT center for the first time, my anxiety about choked me unconscious before I reached the door. I was entering “taboo” territory. Never mind that I had been in lesbian relationships, had gay friends and had attended gay related events in the past—crossing the threshold of that GLBT [...]

Beauty from Ashes of Shame

This morning I shared my testimony yet again with a church congregation. Like most people, I feel naked standing before a crowd of eyes staring back expectantly. Its not easy to publicly address something as intimate and controversial as sexuality. But aside from nervousness there is another, weightier emotion that surfaces when I am asked [...]

Forgiving a Fallen Leader

Brandon O’Brien, Assistant Editor, of Christianity Today’s Leadership Journal recently wrote a poignant editorial that went out last week to subscribers of Out of Ur’s newsletter. He reflects on Ted Haggard and our response to fallen leaders. I was impressed by his insight. With his permission the editorial is posted here. Your thoughts?

Forgiving a Fallen [...]

Beyond the Religious Right

Anyone who has read my blog knows I’m not a fan of the religious Right. In fact, I admit I have an attitude problem. I carry with me baggage from being raised in fundamentalism. This aversion isn’t without just cause. Yet, at the same time I err in using the terms “religious Right” and “fundamentalist” [...]

Christian Youth on Homosexuality

Whenever I speak to a youth group on the topic of homosexuality, I always ask, “How many of you know someone who is gay?” Invariably, at least 80% raise their hands. One of the reasons I do this is for the benefit of the adults and pastors in the room. Many folks in their 40s [...]