This past weekend, a wonderful group of folks gathered at Russet House Farm for our first Generous Space CampOUT. LGBTQ+ folks, parents, and allies were beautifully hosted by the Keesmaat-Walsh family. Brian Walsh and Sylvia Keesmaat are in the final stages of writing their commentary on the book of Romans – and many of us who…
DetailsTo be in the world, but not of the world, requires subversive alertness. Cultivation of a contemplative mind is crucial. Spiritual practices and disciplines help form the virtues that guide our public engagement. We learn to take a breath before reacting. We recognize that our anger is a reminder of a deeper pain. We choose…
DetailsWendy talks with David Peck on Face2Face about shame, guilt, principled pluralism and the walking wounded. She considers how many of us have been socialized to feel disgust for the other and touch on how secrets breed toxicity and ultimately cover up truth and justice.
Several members of the New Direction community face daily battles with depression and other forms of mental illness. The rejection, marginalization and isolation they often experience as LGBTQ+ Christians can exacerbate these realities. One of our hopes at New Direction this year is to talk more about mental illness and de-stigmatize it. Together, we can learn how…
DetailsIf I have learned anything from the flurry of Christian responses to Caitlyn Jenner’s “Vanity Fair” cover, it is the need for widespread transgender education in the church. The most fearful and hateful reactions betrayed a total ignorance of transgender experiences. And maybe we shouldn’t blame them. While Christian books on homosexuality abound, pastoral resources…
DetailsA new reading of Matthew 19:1-12 New Direction works to cultivate community in a number of Generous Space groups. While each group is unique, usually there is a discussion time led by one of the group members. We heard great feedback from a session that Andrew Dykstra facilitated and asked if he would be willing…
DetailsLately I’ve been having great conversations with straight cisgender Christians who ask how they can best support the LGBTQ+ Christian community. These are important questions, and I’ve been hearing more and more innovative, contextual ideas. As a catalyst to this ongoing conversation, consider the following suggestions… 1. Open up your homes. There are several…
DetailsWhile riding transit, I pass time by reading books about LGBTQ+ theology. My wife Danice is usually happy for me to summarize them for her afterward so she doesn’t have to read them herself, but having witnessed my frequent laughter and eager underlining as I devoured Eve Tushnet’s book, Gay and Catholic, Danice now wants to…
DetailsOn April 18, Wendy joined in on the conversations on The Drew Marshall Show. You can listen to the audio from the broadcast here. (Full link: http://drewmarshall.ca/listen2015-html#150418)
DetailsPart 2 If there was any doctrine that reinforced fear, for me it was the Atonement. Growing up studying the Heidelberg Catechism in the basement of my Christian Reformed Church, I learned such things as Lord’s Day 15, Question and Answer 37: “Q. What do you understand by the word “suffered”? A. That during his whole life on…
DetailsOn April 25, 2015 Wendy joined Xander Gibb on Xandermonium Episode #125. You can watch it below or here.
DetailsHave you noticed the inordinate amount of attention that is given to concerns about sin at the intersection of faith and sexuality? It seems to be a sticking point for so many. “But it’s sin.” With this short phrase dialogue can be cut off, attempts to understand can be closed, relationships strained, alienation experienced, judgement…
DetailsRecently Wendy had the chance to visit and lecture at Calvin College as part of the Sexuality Series. Here’s a write up about the evening. (Full link: http://www.calvin.edu/chimes/2015/04/17/lecture-addresses-churches-response-to-lgbtq-community/) And below is a video of the evening.
DetailsOne of the reasons I have so loved being engaged in the conversations at the intersection of faith and sexuality over the last decade plus is the very reason some people seem to avoid entering the discussion. I have found, over time, that this conversation invites you, eventually compels you, and if you resist –…
DetailsMiddle section, second pew from the front, left side. That’s where my family sat every Sunday morning. It provided easy access to the stage for my pastor dad, who was always positioned closest to the aisle. It gave me a sense of being under the watchful gaze of the whole congregation: significant, but scrutinized. Sunday…
DetailsEarlier this month, 75 people attended our annual Generous Spaciousness Retreat. Most were from southern Ontario, but some came from as far as Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, and New Brunswick! We spent three days together at a conference center on a frozen lake, laughing, crying, eating, singing, praying, listening to each other’s stories, and watching…
Details
