The stories of LGBT+ Christians are not untold, but have often been unheard by faith leaders and communities. While so much of the conversation about...
The stories of LGBT+ Christians are not untold, but have often been unheard by faith leaders and communities. While so much of the conversation about LGBT+ inclusion has focused on theology and ideology, few have actually interacted with the raw, real stories and experiences of LGBT+ Christians. In this volume, LGBT+ Christian activist and theologian Brandan Robertson has brought together stories of LGBT+ Christians from around the world combined with his theological insights to create a powerful book that will challenge, convict, and inspire readers from all theological backgrounds to examine their posture and message toward the LGBT+ community and embrace the revival that the Holy Spirit is igniting among queer Christians around the world. ""While the institutional church persisted in a narrative of exclusion, LGBT+ Christians gave Christian communities the quiet, persistent grace of their presence, their gifts, and their love. Now they add grace to grace by sharing the intimacy, vulnerability, and power of their stories, narratives of God's embrace. Here we have an opportunity to listen and hear anew God's resounding 'yes' to these siblings who have too often been told 'no' by human voices. In hearing, we have a fresh occasion to add our amen to God's declarations of love."" --J. R. Daniel Kirk, Pastoral Director, Newbigin House of Studies ""Our Witness is a must read! My congratulations to Brandan Robertson for bringing together a beautiful collection of stories . . . some heart breaking . . . some heartwarming . . . but all showing our need and God's desire for a fully inclusive church for all God's children. Because I believe strongly that stories can change hearts and minds I see God's light shining brightly through the lives of each and every one of these brave people. People who so willingly and beautifully articulate and share their stories to help foster hope, peace, and life for so many others."" --Jane Clementi, Co-Founder, The Tyler Clementi Foundation ""This compilation of LGBT Christian stories clearly shows how loving, faithful people have been excluded by bad theologians who continue to put forth bad theology. It shows the alarming effects: depression and even suicide. Brandon has taken all his and others' pain and put forward a positive theology. And perhaps most importantly, he states and explains why 'homosexuality is not a sin' . . . and that is critical to save vulnerable lives, be true to the spirit of Christian values, and make our world a better place . . . for everyone!"" --Mitchell Gold, Co-Founder, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams ""Our Witness is a breath-taking, essential look at faithful Christians working to be the body of Christ even as Christians marginalize and reject them. I was moved to tears even as I was filled with hope--these folks represent the best of our faith."" --Mike McHargue, host of The Liturgists Podcast and author of Finding God in the Waves ""The stories of witness which Christians have told, but which have not been heard, typify much of Christian history. The sad but powerful words of witness in this book are a sign of the gospel which allows LGBT+ voices to be heard. They offer an urgent message which needs to be heeded by Christians in this and every generation."" --Christopher Rowland, Professor of the Exegesis of Holy Scripture Emeritus, University of Oxford ""Brandan's new book, Our Witness, continues his tradition of moving the Church forward in its acceptance of LGBTQ individuals and being the inclusive institution that it is meant to be. Brandan challenges us readers to listen to voices that we may never have heard before. Their stories are extremely powerful and have the ability to shift people's paradigms. I pray that many church leaders will read its pages and be transformed. It would benefit the Church and the world."" --David W. Key, Sr., National Board Chair, Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists ""This is a tremendous collection of deeply moving
About the Author Brandan Robertson is an author, activist, and minister working at the intersections of spirituality, sexuality, and social renewal. He is the lead pastor of Missiongathering Christian Church in San Diego, California and founder and director of Metanoia, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting inclusion in churches. Robertson is also the author of Nomad: A Spirituality For Traveling Light (2016) and Gay & Christian, No Contradiction (2017).He received his Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Ministry and Theology from Moody Bible Institute (2014) and his Masters of Theological Studies from Iliff School of Theology (2017).
