Below is a list and short reviews of resources from one of the medics in our fellowship.
Sexuality and Gender issues
Our society is challenging us to think about sexuality and gender in different ways and the church is under pressure to accommodate cultural views. As Christians we need to think through for ourselves what does the Bible say, what do I believe, how does that affect how I behave, how can I talk to people who think differently, how do I help and welcome people with different views into church. The recent decision by the Bishops of the Church of England to promote blessing of same sex relationships has caused concern and this summary from Lee Gatiss of the Church Society covers it well.
https://www.churchsociety.org/resource/responding-to-the-bishops-proposals-for-same-sex-blessings/
This is a list of potential resources you might find useful. Support organisations are listed where people struggling with these issues can find help.
The Plausibility Problem: The Church And Same-Sex Attraction by Ed Shaw
Can you be gay and Christian? Does the Bible really require celibacy outside of heterosexual marriage? Isn’t it unrealistic and unfair, imposing loneliness and the loss of basic human satisfactions like sex and marriage? Is what the church teaches about homosexuality a plausible way of life?
In this honest book, Ed Shaw shares his pain in dealing with same-sex attraction – and yet he is committed to what the Bible says and what the church has always taught about marriage and sex. He shows us that obedience to Jesus is ultimately the only way to experience life to the full whether we are married, not yet married, widowed, single or same sex attracted.
He challenges the way our thinking in the church has been shaped by society around us and how we need to return to the reality of gospel discipleship.
https://www.10ofthose.com/uk/products/18437/the-plausibility-problem#review For more info about Anglican vicar Ed Shaw see
https://www.livingout.org/resources/stories/17/ed
Protecting Therapy Webinar by Laura Haynes ICMDA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZSd1fmcvZk
Everyone should have the right to walk away from sexual or gender practices and experiences that don’t work for them and have support to do so. She argues that a ban on conversion therapy counselling would infringe the rights of those who chose not to continue in those behaviours. 2.9.21
A Better Story: Sex, God and Human Flourishing Book by Glyn Harrison
A great book that covers many aspects of sexuality and gender and gives an excellent cultural / historical background. Points to a positive engaging way of responding Biblically to current challenges in the area of sexuality and gender. https://www.thegoodbook.co.uk/a-better-story
Transgender by Vaughan Roberts is a short book. There are also discussion notes and video and free download on the website. Transgender – Vaughan Roberts | The Good Book Company
Transgender is a good starter guide. Roberts shows how gender identity has been separated from biological sex, assuming that we should seek to alter a person’s body to conform to their sense of gender identity, and examines transgender through the biblical lenses of creation, fall, redemption and ‘new’ creation. He suggests that true authenticity is found only through living as we were intended to live – in relationship with our ‘Maker’. Those who experience gender dysphoria need compassionate care, including encouragement to identify with their birth sex.
This is a tender-hearted but uncompromising introduction to transgender for Christians who find themselves wrestling with cultural trends or seeking to support friends wrestling with gender identity issues.
See also https://www.livingout.org/resources/articles/83/5-things-every-christian-should-know-about-the-transgender-conversation
Living out website ‘We help people, churches and society talk about faith and sexuality and
want to see Christians living out their sexuality and identity in ways that enable all to flourish in Christ-like faithfulness’. https://www.livingout.org/
A very extensive and helpful source of information on LBGTQ+ and all aspects of sexuality and gender. A lot of podcasts discussing the issues frankly but pointing to God as source of strength.
The International Federation for Therapeutic and Counselling Choice (IFTCC) is an organisation which seeks to offer people high-quality, professional and discreet support to enable them follow their life-choices. The IFTCC exists to help anyone experiencing unwanted relational and sexual behaviours, attractions and patterns. It seeks to promote a caring, non-judgemental environment where people who choose to move away from their unwanted feelings and behaviours can find the support they’re seeking. We are also concerned to offer collegial support to those who support these clients. Some people choose not to live a gay life, and don’t want to transition out of their birth genders. Whether it is for religious, family or sexual health reasons, or simply due to a disaffection with these lifestyles, people have the right to choose how they live their life. https://iftcc.org/ The website hosts videos, personal stories and a lot of information about conversion therapy ban discussion. It can also signpost to counselling. It is headed by Mike Davidson of the Core Issues Trust.
Core Issues is a non-profit Christian UK based ministry supporting men and women with homosexual issues. It offers one-to-one support for individuals voluntarily seeking to leave homosexual behaviours and feelings. https://www.core-issues.org/
https://www.xoutloud.com/unashamed/ a website celebrating the stories of people who have moved away from a homosexual or gender confused lifestyle and found Christian faith.
Christian Marriage
Family Life website. Christian focus with a wide range of helpful resources for those wanting to invest in their relationship no matter how long they have been married. https://familylifeuk.org/
https://www.careforthefamily.org.uk/
A Christian organisation offering support courses to support all aspects of married and family life.