Resources

BOOKS
ARTICLES
LINKS
ORGANIZATIONS

There is always a hesitancy in listing resources that might be helpful in navigating the myriad of issues surrounding same-sex attraction, homosexuality, and gender identity issues. Because each resource is written by a different author with a unique viewpoint, the themes and opinions in each will, of course, be varied. Typically, you may find that there are few resources that you will totally agree with. And then there will be others which you may generally disagree with, but nonetheless will find helpful information that will benefit you.

The way each of us looks at the various issues surrounding same-sex attraction, homosexuality, and gender identity is influenced by our faith experiences, cultural and religious norms, our backgrounds, and our own personalities. As a result, we naturally will be drawn toward reading books and articles, listening to podcasts, and watching videos which tend to align with what we believe. We have included below resources which utilize the Scriptures in evaluating whether the way same-sex attraction is lived out or the manner in which a person deals with gender identity issues align with a traditional, Biblical ethic. We have made every effort to not include resources which are “affirming” in nature … those which take the position that sexualized same-sex relationships and same-sex marriage are Biblically acceptable. However, you may find that a few of the resources in part seem to lean in that direction as the authors relate their personal stories. We suggest that you do some research on each resource before choosing to read, watch or listen. However, we do encourage you to not be afraid to read or view resources that don’t totally mirror your own views and beliefs. Doing that might allow you to “step into another person’s shoes” for a moment.

We have also included other books which do not specifically address issues surrounding homosexuality, but which we hope will be very beneficial to your journey down this path.

Having an open heart and a teachable spirit, accompanied by a sincere willingness to listen to another person’s story, will go a long way in helping you understand complicated issues. Moreover, and more importantly, listening and learning will aid you in becoming more loving and more compassionate toward those that have these unique life experiences. On more than one occasion, when sincerely seeking wisdom and understanding from the Lord, He “sent” a book or a podcast or another resource that proved to be a real help and a great blessing.

Having people in your life whom you love and who struggle with same-sex attraction or who are living their lives as gay-identified individuals or who are facing gender identity issues, can cause you great confusion, pain, and a lack of peace. We do hope that these resources will truly help you in your unique and challenging faith walk.

Books

A Better Story: God, Sex and Human Flourishing by Glenn Harrison *

A Change of Affection: A Gay Man’s Incredible Story of Redemption by Becket Cook

A Christian’s Secret to a Happy Life by Hannah Whitall Smith **

Affliction: A Compassionate Look at the Reality of Pain and Suffering by Edith Schaeffer *

All But Invisible: Exploring Identity Questions at the Intersection of Faith, Gender & Sexuality by Nate Collins

All is Grace: A Ragamuffin Memoir by Brendan Manning

A Long Way Off by Kitti Murray

A Pastor’s Resource by The Center for Faith, Sexuality & Gender (see website below)

A War of Loves: The Unexpected Story of a Gay Activists Discovering Jesus by David Bennett

Biblical and Pastoral Responses to Homosexuality edited by Andrew Goddard and Don Horrocks (Evangelical Alliance – UK)

Broken in the Right Place: How God Tames the Soul by Alan E. Nelson

Brokenness: How God Redeems Pain and Suffering by Lon Solomon

Calm My Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow

Can You Be Gay and Christian? Responding in Love & Truth to Questions about Homosexuality by Michael L. Brown

Charis: God’s Scandalous Grace for Us by Dr. Preston Sprinkle

Come Back, Barbara by C. John Miller

Compassion without Compromise by Adam T. Barr & Ron Citlau

Costly Obedience: What We Can Learn from the Celibate Gay Christian Community by Dr. Mark A. Yarhouse

Creation and Covenant: The Significance of Sexual Difference in the Moral Theology Marriage by Christopher Chenault Roberts

Disappointment with God: Three Questions No One Asks Aloud by Philip Yancey *

Does Jesus Really Love Me? A Gay Christian’s Pilgrimage in Search of God in America by Jeff Chu

Everybody Always: Becoming Love in a World Full of Setbacks and Difficult People by Bob Goff

Ex-Gays? A Longitudinal Study of Religiously Mediated Change in Sexual Orientation by Stanton L. Jones & Mark Yarhouse

40 Days to Freedom: Prayers and Proclamations to Call Your Backslidden Children Into Their Destiny by Leonora Van Arsdale

Gay and Catholic: Accepting My Sexuality, Finding Community, Living My Faith by Eve Tushnet

Gay Girl, Good God: The Story of Who I Was and Who God Has Always Been by Jackie Hill Perry

Get Out of That Pit: Straight Talk about God’s Deliverance by Beth Moore

God and the Gay Christian? by R. Albert Mohler, Jr.

Good Faith – Being a Christian When Society Thinks You’re Irrelevant & Extreme by David Kinnaman & Gabe Lyons

Grace by Philip Yancey *

Grace Truth 1.0 & 2.0 (also Small Group Leader’s Kit) by Dr. Preston Sprinkle (see website below) *

Grace Walk: What You’ve Always Wanted in the Christian Life by Steve McVey

Guiding Families of LGBT+ Loved Ones (Posture Shift – Lead Them Home – Bill Henson – see website below)

Holding On to Hope: A Pathway through Suffering to the Heart of God by Nancy Guthrie

Holy Sexuality and the Gospel by Christopher Yuan and Rosaria Butterfield

Homosexuality and the Christian: A Guide for Parents, Pastors, and Friends by Dr. Mark Yarhouse

Homosexuality, the Bible, and the Church by Dr. Preston Sprinkle

Hope for the Same-Sex Attracted by Ron Citlau

I’m So Glad You Told Me What I Didn’t Wanna Hear by Barbara Johnson *

Is God Anti-Gay? by Sam Allberry

It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way: Finding Unexpected Strength When Disappointments Leave You Shattered by Lysa TerKeurst *

Jesus Outside the Lines: A Way Forward for Those Who are Tired of Taking Sides by Scott Sauls

Let Go: Live Free of the Burdens All Women Know by Sheila Walsh *

Life of The Beloved: Spiritual Living in a Secular World by Henri J. M. Nouwen *

Listening to Sexual Minorities: A Study of Faith and Sexual Identity on Christian College Campuses by Dr. Mark Yarhouse

Living in a Gray World by Dr. Preston Sprinkle

Love Does by Bob Goff

Love First: Ending Hate Before it’s too Late by Don McLaughlin

Love Into Light: The Gospel, The Homosexual, and The Church by Peter Hubbard

Love is an Orientation: Elevating the Conversation with the Gay Community by Andrew Marin (also see 6 session DVD and study guide)

Loves God Likes Girls by Sally Gary (see website below)

Loving My (LGBT) Neighbor: Being Friends in Grace & Truth by Glenn T. Stanton

Loving Your Rebellious Child: A Survival Guide for Parents of Prodigals by H. Norman Wright

Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis

Messy Grace: How a Pastor with Gay Parents Learned to Love Others without Sacrificing Conviction by Caleb Kaltenbach (also see 4 week small group study by City on a Hill)

Morality: Does it Matter How We Live? A Christian View of Morality by Dick Tripp

My Name is Hope: Anxiety, Depression, and Life after Melancholy by John Mark Comer

Next Christian by Gabe Lyons

Onward: Engaging the Culture without Losing the Gospel by Russell Moore

Openness Unhindered by Rosaria Champagne Butterfield *

Out of a Far Country by Christopher & Angela Yuan

Parenting Prodigals: Six Principles for Bringing Your Son or Daughter Back to God by Phil Waldrep

Parents in Pain: Overcoming the Hurt and Frustration of Problem Children by John White

Pastoral Papers by various authors – The Center for Faith, Sexuality & Gender (see website below)

People to be Loved: Why Homosexuality is Not Just an Issue by Dr. Preston Sprinkle

Prayers for Prodigals: 90 Days of Prayer for Your Child by James Banks

Praying for Your Prodigal Daughter: Hope, Help & Encouragement for Hurting Parents by Janet Thompson

Praying Our Loved One Home by Pam Lanhart

Prodigals and Those Who Love Them: Words of Encouragement for Those Who Wait by Ruth Bell Graham

Same-Sex Attraction and the Church: The Surprising Plausibility of the Celibate Life by Ed Shaw

Setting Boundaries with Your Adult Children: Six Steps to Hope and Healing for Struggling Parents by Allison Bottke

Sexual Authenticity: An Intimate Reflection on Homosexuality and Catholicism by Melinda Selmys

Sexual Identity & Faith: Helping Clients Find Congruence by Dr. Mark Yarhouse

Single Gay Christian: A Personal Journey of Faith and Sexual Identity by Gregory Coles

Space at the Table: Conversations between an Evangelical Theologian and His Gay Son by Dr. Brad Harper & Drew Harper

Spiritual Friendship by Saint Aelred of Rievaulx – translated by Lawrence C. Braceland

Spiritual Friendship: Finding Love in the Church as a Celibate Gay Christian by Dr. Wesley Hill

Stranger God: Meeting Jesus in Disguise by Richard Beck

Streams in the Desert: 366 Daily Devotional Readings by L. B. E. Cowan & Jim Reimann

The Art of Divine Contentment by Thomas Watson *

The Broken Way: A Daring Path into the Abundant Life by Ann Voskamp

The Four Loves by C. S. Lewis

The Gift of Pain: Why We Hurt & What We Can Do About It by Philip Yancey

The Grace of God by Andy Stanley *

The Hope of a Homecoming: Entrusting Your Prodigal to a Sovereign God by Brendan O’Rourke

The Hurting Parent by Margie M. Lewis *

The Inner Voice of Love: A Journey Through Anguish to Freedom by Henri J. M. Nouwen

The Knowledge of the Holy by A. W. Tozer

The Prodigal God by Tim Keller

The Prodigal Prophet by Tim Keller

The Quest by Beth Moore *

The Ragamuffin Gospel: God News for the Bedraggled, Beat-Up, and Burnt Out by Brennand Manning

The Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri J. M. Nouwen *

The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert: An English Professor’s Journey into Christian Faith by Rosaria Champagne Butterfield

The Shack by William P. Young *

The Storm Inside: Trade the Chaos of How You Feel for the Truth of Who You Are by Sheila Walsh *

The Truth Comes Out: The Story of My Heart’s Transformation by Nancy Heche

Torn: Rescuing the Gospel from the Gays vs. Christians Debate by Justin Lee

Triage by Mike & Stephanie Goeke

Two Views on Homosexuality, the Bible, and the Church by Dr. Preston Sprinkle

Unarmed Empire: In Search of Beloved Community by Sean Palmer

Unchanging Witness: The Consistent Christian Teaching on Homosexuality in Scripture and Tradition by Don Fortson and Rollin GramsTwo Views on Homosexuality, the Bible, and the Church by Dr. Preston Sprinkle

unChristian: What a New Generation Thinks About Christians and Why it Matters by David Kinnaman & Gabe Lyons *

Understanding Gender Dysphoria: Navigating Transgender Issues in a Changing Culture by Dr. Mark Yarhouse

Understanding Sexual Identity by Dr. Mark Yarhouse

Us vs. Us: The Untold Story of Religion and the LGBT Community by Andrew Marin

Washed and Waiting: Reflections on Christian Faithfulness and Homosexuality by Dr. Wesley Hill *

We Cannot Be Silent by R. Albert Mohler, Jr.

What Does the Bible Really Teach about Homosexuality? by Kevin DeYoung

What Good is God? In Search of a Faith That Matters by Philip Yancey

When God Interrupts: Finding New Life Through Unwanted Change by M. Craig Barnes

When You Love a Prodigal: 90 Days of Grace for the Wilderness by Judy Douglass (see her website below)

When Your Child Breaks Your Heart: Help for Hurting Moms by Barbara Johnson

Where is God When it Hurts? by Philip Yancey

Why I Don’t Call Myself Gay: How I Reclaimed My Sexual Reality and Found Peace by Daniel C. Mattson

You Are Not Alone: Hope for Hurting Parents of Troubled Kids by Dena Yohe

Your Church is Too Safe: Turning the World Upside Down by Mark Buchanan

* We have reviewed these books and, upon request, will send the review to you by email.

A Pdf of this book is available Here**

Articles

We have gathered a series of articles we believe can be a good resource.

Organizations

Lead Them Home (www.leadthemhome.org). This is a really wonderful organization that is ministering to churches, pastors, lay leaders, parents, and family members. They also have a special call to reach out to LGBT+ individuals, within and outside of the church. Bill Henson is the Founder and President. Check out all they have to offer, which includes various publications and video and audio resources.

The Center for Faith, Sexuality & Gender (www.centerforfaith.com). Dr. Preston Sprinkle is the Founder, President, and the moving force at the Center for Faith. There is so much for you to see and read on this website. Dr. Sprinkle conducts Leaders Forums all over the U. S. These Forums address in such an amazing fashion most of the cogent issues. Online courses are also available. One of the most helpful resources are the significant Pastoral Papers written by Preston and others. They focus on many of the hot-button topics.

CenterPeace (www.centerpeace.net). Sally Gary, a law-school educated woman who has struggled with same-sex attraction, is the founder of CenterPeace. She is a great communicator and speaks from the perspective of one who has dealt with the issues of same-sex attraction on a personal basis. The focus of this ministry is to help church leaders, educators, and families better understand issue impacting LGBTQ+ people and open conversations about faith and sexuality. Ministers in the Dallas area to parents and LGBTQ+ people.

Spiritual Friendship: Musings on God, Sexuality, Relationships (www.spiritualfriendship.org). Started by Dr. Wesley Hill and others, Spiritual Friendship is an online community of individuals who experience same-sex attraction or identify as gay and who are pursuing a chaste life. Great articles and resources.

Sexual & Gender Identity Institute (www.sexualidentityinstitute.org) Founded by Dr. Mark A. Yarhouse. Dr. Yarhouse is a powerhouse scholar and author on all subjects LGBTQ+.

Evangelical Man, Same-Sex Attraction (www.mikerosebush.com). Dr. Mike Rosebush has a PhD in counseling psychology and is a licensed professional counselor. Mike has struggled with same-sex attraction and counsels specifically males dealing with the same issue. In his wonderful blog article, The Real Me, he says: “I now self-identify as a “Side B gay Christian” – someone who has committed his entire life over to Jesus; has same-sex attraction; and believes in the traditional Biblical sexual ethic and sanctity of marriage. I am an evangelical: I revere the Bible and want others to know the immense love that Jesus has for them.

My beloved wife and best friend died of cancer in 2017; I am now living-out my God-given calling of celibacy – it fits me quite nicely. I have been privileged by God to have been a vital source of support to literally hundreds of men.”

Hole in My Heart Ministries (www.himhministries.com). Laura Krieg is the founder of HIMH Ministries. Their Mission is to equip Jesus-followers with a gospel-centered approach to sexuality. Its vision is to see the Church become a safe place that cultivates wholeness and holiness for people wrestling with issues related to sexuality. Wonderful blogs and podcasts.

EQUIP (www.equipyourcommunity.org). The mission of EQUIP is to help churches become places where LGBT+ Christians could belong and thrive according to a traditional sexual ethic. EQUIP’s vision is for the Church to become a place where children hear their parents and pastors talk about same-sex attraction in theologically accurate and compassionate ways … so that when, in late elementary school or early middle school, some children realize they are attracted to other boys and girls of the same sex, they no longer respond with shame, fear or hiding. Instead, EQUIP desires for them to share with their parents and pastors because they have heard that God still loves them and has good things for them.

Hope for Hurting Parents (www.hopeforhurtingparents.com). Founded by Tom and Dena Yohe. This is one of the very best websites with lots of resources and blogs. It provides unique help for parents of those dealing with LBGTQ issues with particular emphasis on suicide, substance addiction, self-harm, and mental illness.

Desert Stream Ministries - Living Waters Discipleship/Healing Program (www.andrewcomiskey.com & www.desertstream.org) This ministry was founded by Andy Comiskey over 20 years ago. Living Waters is an in-depth, Christ-centered program for people seeking healing in areas of sexual and relational brokenness. Their goal is to lay a foundation for sexual and relational wholeness. The ministry focuses on those struggling with homosexuality, sexual promiscuity, the effects of sexual abuse, codependency, self-hatred, or the inability to love others well.

Al-Anon (www.al-anon.org). This first class support group came out of AA and is for those who have loved ones addicted to alcohol. Its main focus is to come alongside those whose lives have become unmanageable as a result of out-of-control lives of those they love.

Fresh Hope (www.freshhope.us). This is a Christian association of peer-to-peer led support groups across the United States for those who have a mental health diagnosis and for their loved ones. They offer a curriculum to help others start support groups offering real hope and real help. Endorsed by Rick Warren and Saddleback Church.

Mercy Multiplied (www.mercymultiplied.com). Providing hope and healing to desperate young women who are seeking freedom from life-controlling issues such as: Physical & Sexual Abuse – including Sex Trafficking, Eating Disorders,Self-Injury, Drug & Alcohol Addictions, Depression and Unplanned Pregnancy.

Judy Douglass (www.judydouglass.com). A wonderful prayer warrior whose goal is to come alongside mothers whose children have strayed from the Lord. She has also written quite a few eBooks which you can download online.

Living Hope Ministries (www.livehope.org). A non-profit, non-denominational, 501(c)3 organization whose mission is to proclaim God’s truth for those who seek sexual and relational wholeness through a more intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. They provide free in-person support groups, one-on-one pastoral counseling and mentoring, online support forums, in addition to education and training for the local church and community in the U.S. and worldwide.

Resources

Books

* We have reviewed these books and, upon request, will send the review to you by email.

A Pdf of this book is available Here**

Articles

Links

PODCASTS, BLOGS, ARTICLES, AUDIOS, WEBSITES & CONFERENCES

Organizations

Resources

Books

* We have reviewed these books and, upon request, will send the review to you by email.

** A Pdf of this book is available Here

Articles

Links

PODCASTS, BLOGS, ARTICLES, AUDIOS, WEBSITES & CONFERENCES

Organizations

A Pdf of this book is available Here**