Living Out Podcast

When people hear that Living Out - a group of same-sex attracted Christians - believe that sex is reserved for the marriage of a man and a woman, they tend to have questions...

How does our intimacy (or lack of intimacy) with creation impact our intimacy with God, ourselves and others? Will the sea be warmer in the new creation? And when's the Intimacy Deficit merch dropping? Ed and Andy are joined by Anne to answer all the important questions.Resources mentioned and related The Intimacy Deficit by Ed ShawGod of All Things: Rediscovering the Sacred in an Everyday World by Andrew WilsonBrickHabiticaiNaturalist  MerlinKeswick Convention talks on the intimacy deficit

Ed and Jo are joined by Jez Field to talk about intimacy with others. What are the catalysts for this kind of intimacy? What are some of the barriers to it? And do women need intimate friendships more than men do? Resources mentioned and related The Intimacy Deficit by Ed ShawJez’s review of The Intimacy Deficit Billy No-Mates: How I Realised Men Have a Friendship Problem by Max DickinsMore from Jez on the Living Out websiteKeswick Convention talks on the intimacy deficitLiving Out podcast series on Friendship (episode 1 here)

Andrew Bunt, the Emerging Generations director for Living Out, and Jeanette Howard, a storyteller and author, delve into the concept of intimacy with oneself. They explore how self-knowledge can foster deeper connections with God and others while addressing the misconceptions around self-intimacy being narcissistic. The duo shares personal insights on their strengths, the importance of Scripture, and the communal aspects that enhance self-awareness. They discuss practical steps for nurturing this intimacy within communities, emphasizing that it ultimately glorifies God.

Join Andrew Nicholls, a pastoral care director with a medical background, and Adam Curtis, an Anglican vicar, as they explore the rich theme of intimacy with God. They discuss favorite biblical images like the Father and Shepherd, reflecting on emotional and communal moments. Blockers such as pride and current events hinder intimacy, while catalysts include daily practices and genuine connections with others. They emphasize how understanding the Trinity enhances our relationship with God, offering profound insights and personal touches to deepen faith.

Ed Shaw, an author and speaker focused on faith and sexuality, dives into the concept of the 'intimacy deficit' and its broad implications beyond just sexual relationships. He shares insights on the four categories of intimacy: with God, self, others, and creation, and how they interconnect. Ed candidly discusses his personal struggles with intimacy and the impact of busyness. The conversation also touches on practical steps to restore intimacy and enhance spiritual connections, including the beauty of nature as a pathway to deeper prayer.

Ed's recent book, The Intimacy Deficit, helps us to think about our connection with God, ourselves, others, and creation. In this series we want to expand on the ideas in Ed’s book, involving more voices in the conversation, and hopefully helping all of us to deepen our experiences of intimacy.

Katherine Brown, a representative of the Evangelical Alliance with a personal journey from the LGBT community, and Ben Thomas from OCCA, who shares his conversion story, dive into important questions on evangelism. They affirm the possibility of reaching out to the LGBT community, stressing the importance of listening and understanding individuals. The conversation covers how to support friends in same-sex marriages and navigates the complexities of gay couples with children coming to faith, highlighting grace, discipleship, and hope.

In this engaging discussion, guests Robin Barfield and Jennifer Kvamme share their expertise on parenting teens. Robin, a seasoned family and youth minister, along with Jennifer, a student ministry leader and author, dive into vital topics like how to foster a relationship with Jesus and discuss the gift of singleness. They also explore loving same-sex attracted teens while maintaining biblical truths. Their insights on creative parenting and practical resources empower parents to navigate the complexities of adolescence with grace.

This week, Rachel Gilson, an author and CRU leader, shares her insights from her book, Parenting Without Panic in an LGBT Affirming World. She discusses effective ways to introduce conversations about sex and sexuality with young children. Rachel emphasizes the importance of framing moral tensions through Jesus' teachings and offers practical scripts to guide these discussions. The impact of the internet and social media on children's understanding of sexuality is also examined, along with the roles of parents and churches in education.