Living Out Podcast

Today we have vicar and New Wine leader Kate Wharton on the show talking about why she felt called by God to make a public committment to singleness.We explore how churches can make single people feel more welcome and included at all levels of church life. Kate also gives us some wonderful wisdom about developing good friendships.Resources mentionedSingle-Minded Kate WhartonKate's blog, Single MindedWhy It Helped Me to Make a Public Commitment to Singleness Kate Wharton

This week we're chatting with Sean Doherty who works in theological education and teaches Christian Ethics. He realised he was gay/same-sex attracted in his late teens but to his surprise he ended up married to Gaby, who is currently a curate.Sean talks about his experiences of marriage as someone who is same-sex attracted, and explores more generally what godly sexual attraction looks like. We also discuss how the church can respond in a helpful way when a gay couple become Christians and we talk about what healthy committed friendship looks like.Resources mentionedSean and Gaby's storyIs It Ever Responsible for People With Same-same Attraction to Get Married? Sean Doherty

This week we're chatting with Jeanette Howard - author, speaker, gardener and pet-sitter. We explore her story of growing up with gender confusion, developing same-sex attraction and coming to faith in the 1980s through her then-girlfriend.She explains how she left a gay lifestyle behind and shares what has helped her to grow in her love of Jesus. She also challenges the church to support others like her by being real family to one another.We also talk about her latest writing project - Betrothed: Wooed By a Greater Love.Resources mentionedJeanette's storyOut of Egypt Jeanette HowardInto the Promised Land Jeanette HowardDwelling in the Land Jeanette Howard

In this episode, we’re talking to Vaughan Roberts. Vaughan is a pastor at St Ebbe’s Church Oxford, where he has been for 30 years. Here he shares his experiences of coming out as same-sex attracted and what he’s learned about sharing personal experiences with others. He explores whether it’s wise for all same-sex attracted Christians to come out, and some things to think about when we do share with others. We also discuss friendship and what Song of Songs can teach us about intimacy with Christ.Resources mentionedShould All Same-Sex Attracted Christians Come Out? Vaughan RobertsTrue Friendship Vaughan RobertsSong of Songs 1:1-2:7 – “Better than wine” Vaughan RobertsSong of Songs 2:8-3:5 – “The season of singing” Vaughan RobertsSong of Songs 3:6-5:1 – “You have stolen my heart” Vaughan RobertsSong of Songs 5:2-6:3 – “Faint with love” Vaughan RobertsSong of Songs 6:4-8:14 – “Come away, my beloved” Vaughan Roberts

In this episode, we’re talking to Sam Allberry who works as a pastor and an apologist, and was part of the team that founded Living Out. Here Sam talks to us about how the church is supporting same-sex attracted Christians, which bits of the Bible he focuses on when he teaches about sexuality and why it is a gospel issue. We also chat about his recent books about singleness and sexual ethics and explore themes of consent, Christian community and the purpose of marriage.Resources mentionedWhat Does the Bible Say About Homosexuality? Sam AllberryWhy Can't Christians Agree to Differ? Sam Allberry7 Myths about Singleness Sam AllberryWhy does God care who I sleep with? Sam AllberryThe Plausibility Problem Ed ShawFrom Shame to Sin: The Christian Transformation of Sexual Morality in Late Antiquity Kyle HarperFaithful: A Theology of Sex Beth Felker Jones

In this episode, we’re talking to Dani Treweek who is the chair of singlemindedconference.com and has recently completed PhD research into a theological ethic of singleness. Dani explains about her research into singleness in the church and unpacks some of the issues that we all need to think about in order to value and include single people in church life. She talks about how we can learn from historical Christian thinking that challenges our contemporary cultural blind spots and leads us into a richer understanding of God’s design for singleness, marriage and our sexualities.Resources mentioned·      Single Minded Conference·      Liberty Sydney·      On ‘Old Books’ and the Single Christian Life Dani Treweek·      7 Myths about Singleness Sam Allberry·      Breaking the Marriage Idol: Reconstructing Our Cultural and Spiritual Norms Kutter Callaway

In this episode, we have a fascinating conversation with Adam Curtis. Adam is a Curate in Sidcup and oversees evangelism at his church. In this interview Adam gives an honest, warm and hopeful account of how he came to terms with his same-sex attraction and applied the truths of the gospel to his sexuality. We also discuss his research on Queer Theology and the sexuality of Jesus.Resources mentionedWhat is Queer Theology? Adam CurtisThe Sexuality of Jesus Adam Curtis Intimate Jesus: A Review Adam Curtis

For this episode, we’re chatting to Andrew Bunt. Andrew is part of the leadership team at King’s Church Hastings and Bexhill and is also a speaker and writer with Living Out. In this interview we explore his story as he sought to reconcile his faith and his sexuality. He covers coming out, forming views on what the Bible says about homosexuality, wrestling with the implications of biblical teaching, issues of identity and emotional dependency and advice on how we can do better to nuture godly intimacy.Resources mentioned'Who in Heaven’s Name Do You Think You Are?' Andrew Bunt ‘Is My Sexuality Who I Am?’ Andrew Bunt ‘Emotional Dependency’ Andrew Bunt ‘Identity in Christ’ conference talks