Living Out Podcast

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 

In this fascinating interview with Greg, we learn more of his story of reconciling his faith and sexuality. We also talk about how Jesus releases us from shame.In the second half, we discuss Greg's book, Still time to Care, which explains the history of the ex-gay movement, how terminology has changed and how we can move from a paradigm of cure to a paradigm of care for sexual minorities.Resources mentionedGay Shame and Jesus Greg JohnsonStill Time to Care Greg JohnsonStill Time to Care: A Review Ed ShawThe Velvet Rage: Overcoming the Pain of Growing Up Gay in a Straight Man's World Alan DownsRevoice website

Church leader Jez Field shares why he found Glynn Harrison's book 'A Better Story' so helpful in understanding and critiquing our culture's take on sexuality.He also explains how he seeks to better understand our culture in order to be more effective in communicating faith, building relationship and making disciples.Resources mentionedA Better Story: God, Sex & Human Flourishing Glynn HarrisonA Better Story: A Review Jez FieldThe Life and Leadership podcastFrom Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life Arthur C. BrooksThe Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self: Cultural Amnesia, Expressive Individualism, and the Road to Sexual Revolution Carl R. TruemanIdentity: The Demand for Dignity and the Politics of Resentment Francis FukuyamaStolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention Johann HariA Non-Anxious Presence: How a Changing and Complex World Will Create a Remnant of Renewed Christian Leaders Mark SayersLGBTQ & Faith courses The Center For Faith, Sexuality & GenderPrince Caspian C. S. LewisCrossroads Jonathan Franzen 

Today we're joined by writer, editor and speaker Jennie Pollock, author of the book If Only: Finding Contentment in the Face of Lack and Longing.We discuss how to face the reality of disappointments in life when it doesn't turn out as hoped. Jennie shares her thoughts on singleness and sexuality, how to critique the culture more effectively and how to find a real joy in following Jesus.Resources mentionedIf Only Jennie PollockIf Only: A Review Jeanette HowardDivine Sex: A Review Jennie PollockGender Identity and Trans Identification - for Pastors Andrew BuntGender Identity and Trans Identification - for Youth Workers Andrew BuntGender Identity and Trans Identification - for Parents Julie Maxwell and Andrew BuntLiving Out storiesBorn Again This Way Rachel GilsonThe Life We're Looking For Andy CrouchArt of Manliness Podcast #796: The Life We’re Looking For

We kick off a new Meet The Authors podcast series by interviewing Greg Coles. Greg is a writer, blogger, speaker and Senior Research Fellow at the Center For Faith, Sexuality and Gender. In the show he shares his experience of growing up gay and Christian, how he wrestled with biblical teaching and came to appreciate many of the blessings of singleness.We also discuss his books, how he went public about his sexuality, and how we can all experience intimacy and belonging.Resources mentionedSingle Gay Christian Gregory ColesNo Longer Strangers Gregory ColesOn Scandalous Housing Arrangements Gregory ColesYou Will Never Be Ready Gregory ColesGreg's websiteCenter For Faith Pastoral Paper 11. What Pronouns Should Christians Use For Transgender People? Gregory ColesThe Center For Faith, Sexuality and Gender website

For the last show in this current series, we're joined by Tom Putt who is the vicar at St John the Baptist, Burford. Tom shares about what he learned at a Living Out course and how he's been navigating the sexuality conversation in his own church. We also talk about the points of the church audit that are most challenging for him and how he hopes to embed biblical inclusion at the heart of his church's life together.We have a dedicated Church Leaders area of the website where you can download the church audit to work through in your own context. You can also find out about Living Out courses in your area or get in touch with us to explore hosting one yourself.Resources mentioned and relatedThe Living Out Church AuditThe Living Out Course

In this series we're looking at how churches can be more biblically inclusive, working through our 10-point Living Out Church Audit.In this episode, we discuss statements eight and nine:God's gifts of either singleness or marriage are equally promoted, valued and practically supported in your church's family life together.Church family members instinctively share meals, homes, holidays, festivals, money and family life with others from different backgrounds and life situations to them.Resources mentioned and relatedThe Living Out Church AuditPower in the Mundane Andrew BuntSecure in Singleness Anne WittonSingles Need Family Time Too Andrew BuntAnne and Abby on Their Community House Anne WittonWhat Does Jesus Teach About Nuclear Family? Andrew BuntSingleness resources The Living Out TeamSingle-Minded Kate Wharton

In the next instalment of our series looking at how churches can be more biblically inclusive, working through our 10-point Living Out Church Audit, we discuss statements seven and ten:A godly Christian's sexual orientation would never prevent them from exercising their spiritual gifts or serving in leadership in your church.No one would be pressurised into expecting or seeking any 'healing' or change that God has not promised any of us until the renewal of all things.Resources mentioned and relatedThe Living Out Church AuditShould Conversion Therapy Be Banned? (Questions No One Wants To Answer #1) The Living Out TeamConversion therapy resources The Living Out TeamWhat's Good About Struggling with Same-Sex Attraction? Anne Witton

We're continuing our series looking at how churches can be more biblically inclusive, working through our 10-point Living Out Church Audit.In this episode, we discuss statements five and six:All in your church are hearing the same call to radical self-sacrifice of themselves in response to God’s giving of himself in Jesus.All in your church are encouraged to develop an identity founded first and foremost on their union with Christ.Resources mentioned and relatedThe Living Out Church AuditChurch resourcesIs My Sexuality Who I Am? Andrew BuntGentle and Lowly Dane OrtlundUnion With Christ Rankin Wilbourne