Generous Spaciousness: Responding to Gay Christians in the Church

by Dr. Wendy VanderWal-Gritter

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.

Chapters:

   Introduction: An Unpredictable Adventure

   1. Reevaluating Evangelical Ex-gay Ministry

   2. Of Doubt, Tension, and Anxiety

   3. The Power of Stories

   4. A Complex Spectrum: Views of Same-sex Sexuality

   5. Coming Out and the Church

   6. The Journey of Discipleship

   7. Understanding Holistic Sexuality

   8. Our Image of God

   9. The Role of Scripture

   10. The Challenge of Interpretation

   11. A Disputable Matter?

   12. Engaging the Church

   13. A Word for Pastors and Leaders

   14. A Word to Gay Christians

   15. A Word to Would-be Gay Advocates in the Church

   Concluding Thoughts: Living Into Incarnational Postures