Books

Walking the Bridgless Canyon: Repairing the Breach Between the Church and the LGBTQ Community

Baldock, Kathy. Walking the Bridgeless Canyon: Repairing the Breach Between the Church and the LGBTQ Community. Reno: Canyonwalker Press, 2014

Over ten years of research and forming relationships has gone into this meticulous study of the biblical, historical, cultural, medical and political filters that led to the social discrimination of the LGBTQ community. Kathy Baldock’s historical timeline narrative is a valuable and reputable resource in navigating the church and Christians toward LGBTQ inclusivity and affirmation. A useful discussion guide is available to help facilitate training in churches and small groups.

Changing Our Mind

Gushee, David P. Changing Our Mind. Canton: David Crumm Media, 2017

David Gushee, Christian ethicist and pastor, takes his readers on a journey on how he changed his mind on LGBTQ inclusion in the church. With a conversational style and bite-sized chapters, Gushee discusses biblical inspiration,interpretation, the relevant bible passages, and his own experiences, with the aim of helping conservative Christians think through the issues.

Scripture, Ethics and the Possibility of Same-Sex Relationships

Keen, Karen. Scripture, Ethics and the Possibility of Same-Sex Relationships. Eerdmans, 2018

Karen Keen is a Biblical scholar, author and spiritual director. With pastoral sensitivity and respect for biblical authority, Keen’s book provides an affirming, principled and consistent way of applying ethics and biblical teaching to the topic of same-sex relationships within the Christian faith. Keen’s informative arguments would appeal to both traditionalist and progressive Christians.

Transforming: The Bible and the Lives of Transgender People

Hartke, Austen. Transforming: The Bible and the Lives of Transgender People. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2018

Austen Hartke offers a biblically based, educational and affirming resource to fill a void of information on gender issues in Christianity. This book hopes to help readers change the way they think about the underrepresented, misunderstood transgender and gender expansive people in our Christian community.

Torn: Rescuing the Gospel from the Gays-vs.-Christians Debate

Lee, Justin. Torn: Rescuing the Gospel from the Gays-vs.-Christians Debate. New York: Jericho Books, 2012

In this touching memoir, Justin Lee, a gay man and devout Christian, bridges the gaps between his faith and his sexuality. He recalls events surrounding his coming out to his parents, experiences with the ex-gay movement and his deep-dive study of the bible that eventually led to his self-acceptance. Lee strives to bring peace and respect to both sides of the affirming/non-affirming debate by offering a kind and gracious navigation of this cultural war within the church.

Podcasts & Videos

On the Way podcast. Sexuality and Faith. (2019)

The Liturgists podcast. Episode 20: LGBTQ (2015)

The Bible for Normal People Podcast. Episode 14: Matthew Vines - The Bible and The Gay Christian (2017)

The Bible for Normal People Podcast. Episode 85: Austen Hartke - The Bible & the Lives of Transgender Christians (2019)

Through My Eyes: a 40 min video made in 2009 in which several Christian LGB young adults (US and Canada) answer the question “What is life like through your eyes?” https://youtu.be/EVswuw3bJns

Websites

Already Enough
https://www.alreadyenough.co.nz/home
A resource-rich and encouraging website designed for LGBTQ+ Christians struggling to reconcile faith with their gender/sexuality, parents of LGBTQ+ children, pastors keen to explore the case for LGBTQ+ full inclusion in the church and those exploring or de/reconstructing their Christian faith.

The Reformation Project
https://reformationproject.org
The Reformation Project is a Bible-based, Christian organization that works to promote inclusion of LGBTQ people by reforming church teaching.

Canyon Walker Connections – Kathy Baldock
www.canyonwalkerconnections.com
The companion website to Kathy Baldrock’s book Walking the Bridgeless Canyon: Repairing the Breach Between the Church and the LGBTQ Community.

Help for pastors:  www.pastorsfornormalpeople.com/how-to-move-your-church-from-non-affirming-to-affirming-of-the-lgbtqia-community