A practical and affirming book for everyone dealing with the issue of sexuality, whether as a gay or lesbian Christian seeking to live with integrity, a friend or family member, or as a church leader seeking understanding and guidance. It suggests practical ways of managing and enriching relationships with God, the church, and others.

Rachel Hagger-Holt;Sarah Hagger-Holt

Copyright information

Acknowledgements

Introduction

List of contributors

1. Reaching for the rainbow: relating to God

Leaving

Learning

Spotlight on … rediscovering who God is

Listening

Spotlight on … finding God on the margins

Loving

All you need is love

Action

Prayer

2. The good book?

Take a break

Memory verse: Revelation 21.1–4

Memory verse: Psalm 139.14–16

Face the clobber texts

Memory verse: Galatians 4.27

Bringing today's questions to the Bible

Memory verse: John 15.18

Spotlight on … a bisexual view of the Bible

Memory verse: Genesis 18.10–15

Memory verse: Acts 10.9–23

Memory verse: John 8.3–11

Memory verse: Hosea 2.23b

What the Bible really says

Memory verse: 1 Peter 2.7

3. Should I stay or should I go?

You should go! (… somewhere else)

Spotlight on … how one church has shut LGB people and their friends out

You should stay! ( … if you can)

Spotlight on … how one church is welcoming LGB people and their friends in

You should go! ( … God's outside too)

4. Coming out in church

Coming out over coffee

Coming out to the 'experts'

Coming out for good

Coming out in church checklist

5. Family values

Why do people decide to come out to their families?

'It's the end of the world'

'What did I do wrong?'

'So what's the big deal?'

'I'm worried because I love you'

'I knew all along!'

As if it never happened

'Fine by me, but what shall we tell your grandma?'

Spotlight on … coming out to children

The parenting of God

Special features

A JOURNEY THROUGH DEPRESSION

COMING OUT IN THE CLASSROOM

WORKING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE

ENGAGING WITH THE MEDIA

Note

6. No longer the only one

Feel the fear – and do it anyway

Shop around

Be willing to give and to receive

Be realistic

Be open-minded

Go online

Resist the pressure to be someone you're not

Find the strength to go out

7. Career path Christianity

Where is God calling you?

Following a call to ordination

Truth and grace breaking through

Straight ministers taking a stand

8. Love and marriage

Meeting and dating

Tying the knot

Spotlight on … arranging a gay wedding

9. Speaking out

Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed (Proverbs 16.3)

When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices (Proverbs 11.10)

Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing (Proverbs 12.18)

Pride breeds only quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice (Proverbs 12.10)

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger (Proverbs 15.1)

Even a child is known by their actions, whether their conduct is pure and right (Proverbs 20.11)

Where to go next: list of resources

The issue of sexuality is a question with which all mainstream churches are now engaged. Attitudes are changing and it is often a painful journey for all concerned, however they may affected. Here is a practical and affirming book for everyone facing this controversial issue, whether they are a gay or lesbian Christian seeking to live with integrity, a friends or family member, or a church leader seeking understanding and guidance. The authors draw on the experiences of a wide circle of friends and acquaintances who have been personally involved with this issue. They use stories, reflections, readings, prayers, cartoons and top tips to suggest practical ways of managing and enriching relationships with God, the church, and other people. Upbeat, brave and open this is based on many Christians' lived experience and includes fifty first hand stories from men and women from all denominations: Brethren, Roman Catholic, high church Anglican, evangelical Anglican, Baptist, Salvation Army, Methodist, Assemblies of God, new church Charismatic, URC, Metropolitan Community Church, Quaker, and liberal Anglo-Catholic.

RACHEL HAGGER-HOLT is a clinical psychologist. They live in Hertfordshire. SARAH HAGGER-HOLT is a writer and editor for a Christian international development charity and is the author of several published Lent study courses.

\["For LGBTQ+ Christians and their supportive allies", "Offers practical help for navigating faith and sexuality", "You will strengthen your faith and relationships with others"\]

This book provides support and guidance for LGBTQ+ Christians navigating faith and identity.

Living it Out

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