Living Out Podcast

While we work on our next series, we thought we'd take the opportunity to highlight a couple of episodes from the vault. In our second series, we took on some of the most common questions we get asked about faith and sexuality, including this one: isn't the Christian sexual ethic harmful and repressive?In the first half of the show we explore ways in which Christians and churches have sadly harmed people in the areas of sex and sexuality. We talk about how silence has made it hard for people to feel safe and understood; how churches have sometimes created cultures of shame; and we discuss the damaging legacy of conversion therapy.In the second half, we push back on the claim that the pattern for sexuality laid out in the Bible is harmful, and we share our own experiences of the Christian sexual ethic as life-giving. Oh, and you can step back in time and find out what we were all watching on TV!Resources mentionedIsn’t the Christian Sexual Ethic Harmful and Repressive? Andrew BuntDoes Living Out Support ‘Gay Cure’ or ‘Reparative Therapy’? Ed ShawWashed and Waiting Wesley HillWhat Should We Do With Gender Stereotypes? Andrew BuntHow Biblically Inclusive Is Your Church? The Living Out Church Audit Still Time To Care Greg JohnsonLGBT and Mental Health: What’s the Link? Andrew BuntLGBTQ+ Suicide Andrew BuntHow Can You Live Life Without Sex? Ed Shaw

In this special episode we say a sad farewell to our Content Director, Anne Witton. Anne shares her reasons for stepping down from front-line ministry at this time and talks honestly about some of the joys and struggles of her work with Living Out.The team discuss highlights of the last few years, share favourite resources and remember plenty of funny moments.Resources mentioned and relatedAnne's StoryThe Courage to Warn Anne WittonThe Importance of Rounded Stories Andrew BuntWhat Is Sexuality for? Ed Shaw15, Same-sex Attracted... and Christian? Ashleigh HullChristmas special 2022 podcastThinking About Transgender feat. Dr. Julie Maxwell (Youth Leaders' Crash Course #6) podcastThe Plausibility Problem Ed ShawThe Plausibility Problem: A Review Steve Ward

In this podcast, Andy and Dan discuss the relevance of biblical verses to their personal experiences with suffering, temptation, and sexual sin. They emphasize Jesus' sympathy and understanding towards those struggling, the importance of perceiving Jesus accurately, and the significance of our bodies to God. Through personal reflections and exploration of biblical passages, they provide guidance and hope for individuals wrestling with their behavior and faith.

Ed is joined by Living Out co-founders Sam Allberry and Sean Doherty to talk about the early years of the ministry and some highlights from its history.They share the story of how and why Living Out started and what their expectations were when it was launched ten years ago.In the second half of the show they share their personal highlights, discuss the impact Living Out has had and express their hopes for the future.Resources mentioned and related£10 a month clubSam's storySean and Gaby's storyAren’t We Just Picking Which Bits of the Old Testament Law Apply Today? Sam AllberryIf We've Rejected What the Bible Says About Slavery - Why Not What it Says About Homosexuality Too? Sean DohertyTrue Freedom Trust websiteIdentity in Christ Conference: Culture and Identity Tim KellerThe Living Out Church auditTen Years of Living Out Ed Shaw

Adam explains how Romans 7 shows that God understands our experiences and the clash of desires in our hearts. He takes comfort from the fact that the Bible is very real about the struggles we all face but also offers freedom from condemnation for those who come to Christ.Ed has chosen Acts 8 as a passage as an example of a beautiful encounter between Jesus and someone who experienced the shame of not having children. He takes encouragement from the fact that Jesus – the one who was despised and rejected – meets us in our pain and offers us hope.Resources mentioned and relatedMisstep 9 - 'Suffering is to be avoided' (The Plausibility Problem #9) The Living Out team'Be True to Yourself.' Really? Adam CurtisWhiter Than Snow: Meditations on Sin and Mercy Paul David Tripp

Andrew and Anne each pick a Bible passage that has helped them persevere in living faithfully for Jesus.Anne explains why Psalm 63 has helped her identify and overcome idolatry in her friendships with women and encouraged her to hunger for God instead.Andrew's choice of Psalm 73 shows that God himself is the greatest gift to us and we don't need to envy those who have things – like same-sex relationships – that we think we want. Following Jesus never means missing out on good and ultimate satisfaction.Resources mentioned and relatedNo One Can Live Without a Lover Anne WittonThe Lesbian Urge to Merge Anne WittonIs Jesus worth it? King's Church 1066 Andrew Bunt

Ashleigh explains how Revelation 5 helps her keep an eternal perspective in times of change and makes sense of the longings in her heart.2 Corinthians 12 is one of Andy's favourite passages and he shares how Paul's teaching about his thorn in the flesh is an encouragement to look to Jesus whose grace is sufficient for us.Resources mentioned and relatedBook of Revelation Summary: A Complete Animated Overview (Part 1) The Bible ProjectBook of Revelation Summary: A Complete Animated Overview (Part 2) The Bible ProjectIs He Worthy Shane & ShaneWhat's Good About Struggling With Same-sex Attraction? Anne Witton

Join Anne and Ed as they discuss some passages of Scripture that have really encouraged them.Ed's pick is John 4 and he explains why Jesus' encounter with the woman at the well helps him understand Jesus' heart for those who have sinned sexually and the beautiful way that he stewards his sexuality.Anne shares why Genesis 3 helps her make sense of life and God's purposes for sexuality and points forward to the hope of the gospel for all of us, whatever our areas of brokenness.Resources mentioned and relatedThe Three Lies of the Fall Anne WittonNewtown: Erskineville Anglican Church, John 4 Ed ShawPurposeful Sexuality Ed Shaw (Living Out review here)Intimate Jesus Andy Angel (Living Out review here)

In the last episode of this series, Andrew and Ashleigh seek to understand the connection between LGBT+ and mental health and share some of their own experiences. They explore difficult issues like the social stress model, family rejection and insidences of suicide.There are plenty of practical tips on supporting young people who wrestle with mental ill health and they show how the Christian gospel both makes sense of suffering and offers hope in the midst of it.There is also an interview with Dr. Preston Sprinkle from the Center For Faith, Sexuality & Gender.Discussion questionsFor the episode:Do we have a good understanding of the main mental health issues our teens might be struggling with? (depression, anxiety, low self-esteem/self worth, self harm, eating disorders, suicidality, shame, addiction, etc.) If not, what’s our next step in learning?How can we provide a safe environment for teens to be honest about their pain/struggles?What practical things/resources should we put in place to equip us as a team and any youth who need help? (eg member of Ashleigh’s youth team did a bunch of research and created a brief document explaining various mental health problems and providing resources for helping with each)For the series:What are your key takeaways?What should we continue to pray about?What’s your priority to do next? Resources mentioned and relatedYouth Leaders' Crash Course podcast pageLGBT and Mental Health: What’s the Link? Andrew BuntA Christian Perspective on LGBTQ+ Mental Health Andrew BuntDoes Christian Teaching Cause LGBT Mental Health Problems? (Questions No One Wants To Answer #5)The Mental Health and Well-Being of Celibate Gay Christians Mark Yarhouse and Olya ZaporozhetsDoes Living Out Support ‘Gay Cure’ or ‘Reparative Therapy’? Ed ShawLGBTQ+ Suicide Andrew BuntIt’s Time to Stop Weaponising Suicide Andrew BuntSuicide Facts and Myths Transgender TrendCenter For Faith, Sexuality & GenderDoes the Bible Support Same-Sex Marriage? Preston SprinkleStats For GenderHeadstrong: Mental wellbeing for young peopleAlumina: 7 week course for young people struggling with self-harmMind.org.uk

In this show we're looking at how to support young people who are struggling with their gender identity. We define the terms and share our own stories of gender confusion before discussing some of the reasons why increasing numbers of young people might be identifying as transgender.In the second half we get practical with advice about how to support young people experiencing distress about their gender, including how to respond with compassion, how to talk about identity and how to offer hope in suffering.This episode also features an interview with community paediatrician Dr. Julie Maxwell.Discussion questionsDo we have a good understanding of sex, gender and transgender? If not, what’s our next step in learning?Do we have a good understanding of what the Bible says about sex, gender and identity? If not, what’s our next step in learning?Are we a welcoming, safe environment for teens who are trans-identifying, who have questions about gender generally or their own specifically? How can we become more so?What practical conversations (e.g. around names, pronouns, bathrooms, sleeping spaces) do we need to have?Resources mentioned and relatedYouth Leaders' Crash Course podcast pageTo know how some LGBT people are using the language – see Stonewall’s ‘List of LGBTQ+ Terms’Parents guide to LGBTQ teens and our review of the resourceLiving Out Church leaders' webinar on trans-identification amongst teensEmbodied Preston Sprinkle and our reviewFinding Your Best Identity Andrew Bunt and our reviewPeople Not Pronouns Andrew Bunt and our reviewWhat God Has To Say About Our Bodies Sam Allberry and our reviewCMF Quick Guide - Gender identity & trans identification - for youth workersTransgender: An Introduction for Parents and Youth Leaders Andrew BuntTheology in the Raw podcast #768 – Where Should Trans Students Sleep at Summer Camp? And Other QuestionsTheology in the Raw podcast #870 – Another Take on the Pronoun Debate: Dr. Julie MaxwellMore resources here...