This is a short allegorical piece I wrote for a creative writing competition earlier this year, the directive theme being "Grief and Hope". I didn't place in the competition, however I really enjoyed the writing process and, after some further editing, I'm really pleased with the result. The concept is something that I had been … Continue reading Evergreen
(This testimonial was originally published on The Integrate Project on 05/04/2019) Lying in bed I hold up in my imagination a man and a woman. It’s clear to me that my preference is on the man. “I think I’m gay.” Mostly I’m surprised by how unsurprised I am at this revelation. This isn’t news to … Continue reading Why I Started The Integrate Project
(In part 1 I attempted to describe our modern way of thinking about identity) Here’s the problem with our modern concept of identity – it shuts us off from one another, it gives fuel to division and it causes us to be inflexible to the detriment of others. Make sense? You with me? No? Okay, … Continue reading The Identity Lie Pt. II
I’ve been thinking about “identity” a lot of late. In fact, in preparation for writing my thoughts up I did some reading about the various theories about identity and let me tell you, that stuff is impenetrable. I don't recommend it. John Locke, you my friend are one baffling fellow. More on the philosophy of … Continue reading The Identity Lie Pt. I
“Just as well your identity is in Christ.” – A Well Intentioned Friend --- I’ve spoken previously on this blog about the intense degree of doubt that I have experienced at many points across the last four-ish years. The most distressing periods for me have regularly occurred over the summer period. Because I was working … Continue reading Three Years of Transparent: Journal of a Sceptical Believer
Three years of dedicated time researching and thinking through the situation of sexual minorities in The Church has given me several observations I think are worth your consideration. I write this out of concern for the mental health of gay people in connection with Christianity and out of a desire to carve out a home … Continue reading Three Years of Transparent: The Situation for Gay People in the Church
When I moved Cities a little under 3 years ago I made the decision to start talking about my homosexual orientation as though it were common knowledge. I had spoken about this fixture of my life to several people prior to this but all of a sudden, I found myself running training on the Christian … Continue reading Three Years of Transparent: Reflections on Power and Vulnerability
(Part I) Building Identification In western culture it seems that the most opposing poles of society have been occupied by Christians, on one side, and sexual minorities on the other. Bridget Eileen, Christian blogger and celibate lesbian, makes the case that the model for mission given to us by Jesus and Paul is, centrally, about … Continue reading Why Am I “Gay”? Pt. II
Right now, for same-sex attracted Christians in the church, there is a very important discussion going on about what terms can be used to describe one’s experience of being attracted to the same sex. This has, most recently, been stimulated in the lead up to Revoice conference which is happening this week in St. Louis, … Continue reading Why Am I “Gay”? Pt. I
(This piece was originally written for The Vision 100 Network) I was recently preparing some training material on the topic of doubt. As I was talking through the first draft with a colleague, he said, “It is, of course, helpful to think about the opposite of doubt, i.e. faith”. I replied that I didn’t think … Continue reading Doubt: A Christian Perspective
