Generous spaciousness
Subtitle: responding to gay Christians in the church
By: Wendy VanderWal-Gritter
Publisher: Brazos Press
Published: 2014
Language: eng
Number of pages: 281
ISBN-13: 9781587433559
Subjects: Homosexuality; Church work with gays; Christianity
Description: Committed Christians may respond differently to gay and lesbian Christians. How can we engage those with whom we might disagree and navigate our journey together in a way that nurtures unity, hospitality, humility, and justice? Through her extensive experience in ministering to gay and lesbian Christians, Wendy VanderWal-Gritter has come to believe we need a new paradigm for how the church engages those in the sexual minority. She encourages generous spaciousness, a hope-filled, relational way forward for those in turmoil regarding a response to gay and lesbian Christians. This book offers a framework for discussing diversity in a gracious way, showing that the church can be a place that welcomes a variety of perspectives on the complex matter of human sexuality. It also offers practical advice for implementing generous spaciousness in churches and organizations.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (pages 275-281)
Table of contents: title: Introduction: An unpredictable adventure; title: Reevaluating evangelical ex-gay ministry; title: Of doubt, tension, and anxiety; title: The power of stories; title: A complex spectrum : views of same-sex sexuality; title: Coming-out and the church; title: The journey of discipleship; title: Understanding holistic sexuality; title: Our image of God; title: The role of scripture; title: The challenge of interpretation; title: A disputable matter?; title: Engaging the church; title: A word for pastors and leaders; title: A word to gay Christians; title: A word to would-be gay advocates in the church; title: Concluding thoughts: Living into incarnational postures.