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Coming to Jesus: My Gay Church Days: Memoir of a Closeted Evangelical Pastor who Eventually Had Enough

Coming to Jesus: My Gay Church Days: Memoir of a Closeted Evangelical Pastor who Eventually Had Enough
Author: George Azar
Publisher:
Total Pages: 320
Release: 2021-07-13
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 9780578913346
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George was your average American kid born to traditional Middle Eastern immigrants. Curious about life but tortured by vicious bullying in middle school, he found what seemed like a solution: evangelical Christianity. It appeared to have the cure for his most "shameful sin." Believing his homosexual feelings were an abomination before God, he committed his life to a church community who accepted him ... conditionally. While hiding the scariest truths about him for fear of losing their love, he went from Bible study to Bible college, committing every aspect of his life to his faith - even forsaking important relationships "for the sake of the Gospel." Little did he know that the steady trickle of relinquished identity would create a psychological dysmorphia that allowed his oppressors to keep him in a dangerous isolation. Coming to Jesus: My Gay Church Days is the true story of a deeply insecure evangelical pastor who eventually decided enough was enough. After failed relationships, crippling anxiety, and cult-like codependency, George broke away from rigid Christianity to pursue the thing he once found most dreadful and fearful about himself. This book is a crusade of revealing, an exploration of conformity, oppression, awakening, and self-discovery unlike any other. Ultimately, it is also a quest to save other "lost souls" by example, calling others to rise above the expectations of others and accept themselves as they are.

Messy Grace

Messy Grace
Author: Caleb Kaltenbach
Publisher: WaterBrook
Total Pages: 226
Release: 2015-10-20
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1601427379
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Sometimes, grace gets messy. Caleb Kaltenbach was raised by LGBT parents, marched in gay pride parades as a youngster, and experienced firsthand the hatred and bitterness of some Christians toward his family. But then Caleb surprised everyone, including himself, by becoming a Christian…and a pastor. Very few issues in Christianity are as divisive as the acceptance of the LGBT community in the church. As a pastor and as a person with beloved family members living a gay lifestyle, Caleb had to face this issue with courage and grace. Messy Grace shows us that Jesus’s command to “love your neighbor as yourself” doesn’t have an exception clause for a gay “neighbor”—or for that matter, any other “neighbor” we might find it hard to relate to. Jesus was able to love these people and yet still hold on to his beliefs. So can you. Even when it’s messy. “Messy Grace is an important contribution to the conversation about sexual identity for churches and leaders. Caleb's story is surprising and unique, and he weaves it together compellingly. He states his views clearly, leaves room for disagreement, and champions love no matter where you are in this conversation.” —Jud Wilhite, Sr. Pastor, Central Christian Church

I Had to Say Something

I Had to Say Something
Author: Mike Jones
Publisher: Seven Stories Press
Total Pages: 258
Release: 2011-01-04
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 1609800419
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This is the story of the sexual relationship between Michael Forest Jones, a Denver man who worked as an escort, and the Reverend Ted Haggard, founder and pastor of the New Life Church of Colorado Springs. As a rule, Mike never delved into the personal lives of his clients. He entertained celebrities, clergyman, politicians, pro-football players, and just regular guys. In 2003, a man named "Art" called Mike to set up an appointment. For almost three years, Art came to see him at least once a month. It was simply a business relationship for Mike, yet he sensed that for Art, it was more. Like many clients who were closeted, Art revealed his vulnerabilities as he struggled to deny his true desire for sexual contact and affection with a man. One day, while working out at his gym, Mike recognized "Art" preaching hate on a religious cable channel. He soon discovered that Art was actually the Reverend Ted Haggard, who, as President of the National Association of Evangelicals, influenced the daily lives of millions of believers, condemning homosexuality and advocating virulently against gay rights and same-sex unions. On November 1, 2006, Mike made public his relationship with Ted Haggard. Within days, Haggard resigned from all his positions of power, admitting to a "sexual immorality" that shook the evangelical world, right before Election Day 2006. Once Haggard was outed, Mike's clients stopped calling. He had effectively put himself out of business and put himself at risk of being trivialized and dismissed, as sex workers often are. It was Mike’s courage and strength of conscience that ultimately led him to come forward about the hypocrisy of Haggard’s life. Here is the disarming story of how one man’s deceit inspired another man to become a spokesperson for telling the truth and for not being ashamed of who you are.

Rapture Practice

Rapture Practice
Author: Aaron Hartzler
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Total Pages: 301
Release: 2013-04-09
Genre: Young Adult Nonfiction
ISBN: 0316215716
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Sometimes salvation is found in the strangest places: a true story. Aaron Hartzler grew up in a home where he was taught that at any moment the Rapture could happen. That Jesus might come down in the twinkling of an eye and scoop Aaron and his family up to heaven. As a kid, Aaron was thrilled by the idea that every moment of every day might be his last one on planet Earth. But as Aaron turns sixteen, he finds himself more attached to his earthly life and curious about all the things his family forsakes for the Lord. He begins to realize he doesn't want the Rapture to happen just yet--not before he sees his first movie, stars in the school play, or has his first kiss. Eventually Aaron makes the plunge from conflicted do-gooder to full-fledged teen rebel. Whether he's sneaking out, making out, or playing hymns with a hangover, Aaron learns a few lessons that can't be found in the Bible. He discovers that the best friends aren't always the ones your mom and dad approve of, and the tricky part about believing is that no one can do it for you. In this funny and heartfelt coming-of-age memoir, debut author Aaron Hartzler recalls his teenage journey to find the person he is without losing the family that loves him. It's a story about losing your faith and finding your place and your own truth--which is always stranger than fiction.

Gay Christian 101

Gay Christian 101
Author: Richard G. Brentlinger
Publisher:
Total Pages: 391
Release: 2007
Genre: Homosexuality
ISBN: 9780979246104
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Does Jesus Really Love Me?

Does Jesus Really Love Me?
Author: Jeff Chu
Publisher: Harper Collins
Total Pages: 299
Release: 2014-04-15
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 0062359304
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“Fascinating, thoughtful, and important. [Jeff Chu] captures the fractures and conflict at a moment when the issue of what to do with L.G.B.T. people is tearing Christian denominations apart. Does Jesus Really Love Me? deserves to be widely read.” —Dan Savage, New York Times Book Review In this timely work—part memoir, part investigative analysis—a prize-winning writer explores the explosive and confusing intersection of faith, politics, and sexuality in Christian America. When Jeff Chu came out to his parents as a gay man, his devout Christian mother cried. And cried. Every time she looked at him. For months. As a journalist and a believer, Chu knew that he had to get to the heart of a question that had been haunting him for years: Does Jesus really love me? The quest to find an answer propels Chu on a remarkable cross-country journey to discover the God “forbidden to him” because of his sexuality. Surveying the breadth of the political and theological spectrum, from the most conservative viewpoints to the most liberal, he tries to distill what the diverse followers of Christ believe about homosexuality and to understand how these people who purportedly follow the same God and the same Scriptures have come to hold such a wide range of opinions. Why does Pastor A believe that God hates me, especially because of my gayness? Why does Person B believe that God loves me, gayness and all? From Brooklyn to Nashville to California, from Westboro Baptist Church and their god hates fags protest signs to the pioneering Episcopal bishop Mary Glasspool, who proclaims a message of liberation and divine love, Chu captures spiritual snapshots of Christian America at a remarkable moment, when tensions between both sides in the culture wars have rarely been higher. Both funny and heartbreaking, perplexing and wise, Does Jesus Really Love Me? is an intellectual, emotional, and spiritual pilgrimage that reveals a portrait of a faith and a nation at odds.

Sacred Journeys

Sacred Journeys
Author: Paul Whiting
Publisher: iUniverse
Total Pages: 212
Release: 2004-07
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 0595325025
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"Sacred Journeys is a totally fascinating book, raw with spiritual emotion and sexual frankness. I recommend that everyone read it." --Rev. Elder Troy Perry, Founder, Metropolitan Community Church "Paul Whiting tells his story in his own unique and engaging way, without apologies. He is a truth teller, a gifted preacher, an interpreter of the Word. Sacred Journeys is a valuable resource for every library." --Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson, Metropolitan Community Church "While gays and lesbians have gained acceptance among many Christians, the same is not true within conservative churches. Paul Whiting's writings will be of great interest to evangelicals going through experiences similar to his." --Andrew Shackleton, Evangelical Fellowship, United Kingdom

Messy Grace

Messy Grace
Author: Caleb Kaltenbach
Publisher: WaterBrook
Total Pages: 226
Release: 2015-10-20
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1601427360
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Sometimes, grace gets messy. Caleb Kaltenbach was raised by LGBT parents, marched in gay pride parades as a youngster, and experienced firsthand the hatred and bitterness of some Christians toward his family. But then Caleb surprised everyone, including himself, by becoming a Christian…and a pastor. Very few issues in Christianity are as divisive as the acceptance of the LGBT community in the church. As a pastor and as a person with beloved family members living a gay lifestyle, Caleb had to face this issue with courage and grace. Messy Grace shows us that Jesus’s command to “love your neighbor as yourself” doesn’t have an exception clause for a gay “neighbor”—or for that matter, any other “neighbor” we might find it hard to relate to. Jesus was able to love these people and yet still hold on to his beliefs. So can you. Even when it’s messy. “Messy Grace is an important contribution to the conversation about sexual identity for churches and leaders. Caleb's story is surprising and unique, and he weaves it together compellingly. He states his views clearly, leaves room for disagreement, and champions love no matter where you are in this conversation.” —Jud Wilhite, Sr. Pastor, Central Christian Church

Torn

Torn
Author: Justin Lee
Publisher: Jericho Books
Total Pages: 277
Release: 2012-11-13
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1455514322
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An evangelical Christian examines the impact of sexuality, the LGBTQ+ movement, and the future of the church in this thoughtful, deeply researched guide to navigating and mending the social and political division in our families and churches. As a teenager and young man, Justin Lee felt deeply torn. Nicknamed "God Boy" by his peers, he knew that he was called to a life in the evangelical Christian ministry. But Lee harbored a secret: He also knew that he was gay. In this groundbreaking book, Lee recalls the events--his coming out to his parents, his experiences with the "ex-gay" movement, and his in-depth study of the Bible--that led him, eventually, to self-acceptance. But more than just a memoir, TORN provides insightful, practical guidance for all committed Christians who wonder how to relate to gay friends or family members--or who struggle with their own sexuality. Convinced that "in a culture that sees gays and Christians as enemies, gay Christians are in a unique position to bring peace," Lee demonstrates that people of faith on both sides of the debate can respect, learn from, and love one another.

Stranger at the Gate

Stranger at the Gate
Author: Mel White
Publisher: Penguin
Total Pages: 369
Release: 1995-04-01
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 0452273811
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“Compelling...eloquent and compassionate...We learn as much about growing up in the Christian right as we do about gay life in Mel White’s heartfelt and revealing memoir.”—San Francisco Examiner Until Christmas Eve 1991, Mel White was regarded by the leaders of the religious right as one of their most talented and productive supporters. He penned the speeches of Ollie North. He was a ghostwriter for Jerry Falwell, worked with Jim Bakker, flew in Pat Robertson's private jet, walked sandy beaches with Billy Graham. What these men didn't know was that Mel White—evangelical minister, committed Christian, family man—was gay. In this remarkable book, Mel White details his twenty-five years of being counseled, exorcised, electric-shocked, prayed for, and nearly driven to suicide because his church said homosexuality was wrong. But his salvation—to be openly gay and Christian—is more than a unique coming-out story. It is a chilling exposé that goes right into the secret meetings and hidden agendas of the religious right. Told by an eyewitness and sure to anger those Mel White once knew best, Stranger at the Gate is a warning about where the politics of hate may lead America...a brave book by a good man whose words can make us richer in spirit and much wiser too.