A recent survey says that 90 percent of clergy believe it is their responsibility to speak on important social issues, but the top two issues they feel unequipped to speak on are LGBT+ and same-sex marriage.
We need help.
Thankfully, there are pastors like Bruce B. Miller who are willing to lead us as we lead others.
In addition to walking us through starter steps we can take as a church to better engage conversations around sexuality and LGBT+, we explore questions such as:
What if the staff/elders/deacons aren’t united? Can we be on different pages theologically?
Do we have to do a sermon series? (How in the world do we do that?)
What if people leave?
This is another important equipping conversation to help us lead with grace and truth. (Click the links below for practical, next step resources.)
Highlights:
“To not preach on [sexuality] is to not give people leadership in an area where people have tremendous questions … You either lead people in confusion or you give people wise guidance as a pastor.” –Bruce Miller
“We need to start with ourselves and face … the fact that I am also a sexual sinner. Because every adult past puberty is a sexual sinner.” –Bruce B. Miller
“It’s our bad theology of sex and our bad theology of singleness that undermines the vibrancy of our message to LGBT+ people.” –Bruce Miller
“If you’re not offending people on both sides, you’re probably not doing it right.” –Bruce Miller
Do the Next Thing:
Read Pastor Bruce’s book Leading a Church in a Time of Sexual Questioning
Check out Bruce B. Miller’s Blog and follow him on Facebook and Twitter
That Pastor’s Resource Laurie mentioned? Find it here (And small group members? This resource is amazing!)
Another episode that fits well with this one is this one with two pastors
That People to be Loved book Bruce mentioned? Find it here
Another great resource is Guiding Families!
Those statistics about clergy both feeling the need to engage social issues but feeling inept at speaking LGBT? Here
Matt and Laurie do “how to walk well alongside LGBT+ people” training. Find out more here
That HIMH Podcast group? Check it out here !
Question of the Week for Next Week:
It’s our last episode of Season 2! How are you doing on your word for the 2019 year? Or your resolution? Where you at?