Living Out Podcast

As a single, same-sex attracted man, Stuart shares how he finds his needs for intimacy are met in godly friendships and church community.We also talk about how we can honour God in celibacy and find it emotionally and spiritually satisfying, and we discover what everyone's favourite Christmas carols are.Resources mentioned and relatedTrue Friendship: A Review Stuart FergusonA War of Loves: A Review Stuart FergusonSecurely Single courseJourney UK

In our Christmas special, the team tell their best (or worst) cracker jokes, reveal their favourite Christmas presents and talk about desserts, Christmas traditions and favourite books, TV and films.We also discuss how we can overcome the difficulties of being single at Christmas and cope with sexual temptation and difficult family relationships. And we share the aspect of the Christmas message that gives us most encouragement in our faith.Plus there's a look back at 2022 in stats and a discussion of what we're most looking forward to in 2023.Resources mentionedWhen the Prince Did Come Andy RobinsonDeeper Dane OrtlundWhy We Sleep Matthew WalkerThe Box of Delights BBC TV seriesThe Box of Delights John MasefieldDinner For OneMorecambe and WiseColumbo

Andrew talks about the relevance of 1 Corinthians to our contemporary culture and the importance of grounding sexual ethics in the bigger picture of marriage, the gospel and God's creation plan for human flourishing.We also discuss how to engage with people who disagree with us on sexual ethics and how to teach well on sexuality as a church leader, with the need for it to be rooted in honouring singleness and church as family.Resources mentioned and relatedThe True Sexual Revolution Andrew WilsonSexuality and the Gospel Andrew WilsonThis is About That Ed Shaw1 Corinthians For You Andrew Wilson

Community paediatrician Julie Maxwell shares her experience of working with youth and navigating the transgender conversation.She gives some helpful advice, practical tips and resources for parents, youth leaders and others who are trying to support young people questionning their gender identity.Resources mentionedParenting a Child Questioning Their Gender IdentityLovewise OnlineThe Cass Review (Independent review of gender identity services for children and young people)Irreversible Damage: Teenage Girls and the Transgender Craze Abigail ShrierGender: A Wider Lens PodcastBayswater Support Group

In this show we talk to Andrew Bunt about his new book, Finding Your Best Identity: A Short Christian Introduction to Identity, Sexuality and Gender. He shows how his own personal experience of wrestling with these questions has helped him understand what's at the heart of the struggle for identity.We discuss the ways that culture encourages us to form our sense of who we are and explore some practical ways that we can live out our true identity in Christ.Resources mentionedFinding Your Best Identity: A Short Christian Introduction to Identity, Sexuality and Gender Andrew BuntPurposeful Sexuality: A Short Christian Introduction Ed ShawAll Andrew's Living Out content

Today we're chatting to Ed Shaw about his experiences of coming to terms with his sexuality as a young Christian and how, as an adult, he became more open about his same-sex attraction. We also find out how Living Out was born.In the second half we discuss why permanent, faithful, stable sexual same-sex relationships aren't God's best for us, but what we can learn about intimacy in friendship from the good in those relationships. Ed then shares about why he's found it helpful to read LGBT novels, poetry and non-fiction.Resources mentionedWhat's Wrong With a Permanent, Faithful, Stable Same-Sex Sexual Relationship? Ed ShawHow Reading Liberally Helps Me Ed ShawThe Plausibility Problem: The Church And Same-Sex Attraction Ed ShawPurposeful Sexuality: A Short Christian Introduction Ed ShawThe Beautiful Story films CEECAll Ed's Living Out contentDancer from the Dance Andrew HolleranStraight Jacket: Overcoming Society's Legacy of Gay Shame Matthew Todd

In this interview with Dan, he shares about how friends have supported him when he came out about his same-sex attraction. In the second half, he talks about how God brought him back from a period of sexual experimentation and freed him from shame and regret.Dan also gives helpful insight into his experience of singleness and how the church can support those of us who are unmarried.Resources mentionedHow Can I Find Freedom from the Weight of Sexual Sin? Dan ReidWhen the Single Life Feels Long Dan ReidSupport to Grieve Anne WittonIs God Anti-Gay?: A Review Dan ReidWhat God Has to Say About Our Bodies: A Review Dan Reid

Jo and Anne talk about their friendship and how Jo has supported Anne with her same-sex attraction over the years, as well as how they've encouraged each other to press on with Jesus.Jo also talks about her experience of engaging with LGBT issues in the secular world, particularly at her boys' school. She also shares about how she talks to her children about sexuality.Resources mentionedThe Call To All Jo ArkellStewardship websiteAgapé Family Life website

Stuart is the Director of True Freedom Trust (TfT), a ministry that supports same-sex attracted Christians. In this interview we talk with him about his work and the help that TfT offers.We also discuss Stuart's own story of becoming a Christian and experiencing same-sex attraction and find out what it is that enables him to press on with Jesus.Resources mentionedTrue Freedom Trust websitePurposeful Sexuality: A Review Stuart Parker

Ashleigh shares her story of being a Christian teenager with same-sex attraction. We discuss how she shared that with friends and family, the support she received and how she now supports young people in their own struggles with sexuality.We also talk about how following Jesus has shaped Ashleigh's identity and why she trusts God's pattern for sexuality in a world that increasingly rejects it.Resources mentioned15, Same-sex Attracted... and Christian? Ashleigh Hull Living In A Gray World Preston SprinkleLiving In A Gray World: A Review Ashleigh Hull