Susan Cottrell's Blog, page 19

The Church Is Changing. Are You Ready?

The church is changing. The truth of Jesus is being disentangled from the behavior-focused, non-affirming religion that often just uses Jesus as a mascot. And this is a major threat to the box-church that tries to stay sealed up tight – even when everyone on the outside of the box can see how different they [Read More...]

What Happens When A Heart Is Freed?

Parents, their LGBTQ children, the church… what happens when their hearts are freed from hate and condemnation and fear? For a parent of an LGBTQ child, their heart is freed when they can unconditionally love, accept and affirm their child without feeling that they have sacrificed their faith. For someone who is LGBTQ, their heart [Read More...]

If You Were My Gay Child, This Is What I Would Tell You

I was heartsick that a Pastor – claiming to speak for God – called his Christian teenage son ‘disgraceful, demon-possessed poison.’ Many of you have been called words like this – by strangers, friends, people in your church, family, and maybe even your Dad too. And you carry deeper wounds than anyone even knows. Well, [Read More...]

Religious Liberties: It’s Not Biblical

A clerk in Kentucky, a baker in Colorado… discriminating LGBTQ in the name ‘religious liberty.” I am not going to let you get away with it anymore. These stories are trending and, as one of our readers said, “I’m sure we are going to start seeing the wave of persecution-whining on Facebook,” from those who [Read More...]

We Are Banned By 4 Top Anti-Gay Christian Facebook Pages. What Are They Afraid Of?

I am upsetting people. They respond by blocking and banning us — “in Jesus’ name.” I have to wonder: what are they afraid of? At the same time, I am hearing from more parents, more LGBTQ people, and more church leaders than ever. We are seeing Christian parents’ hearts freed to love, accept and affirm [Read More...]

The Freedom of Living Outside of Your Bible

I came from a conservative evangelical background and was turned away from church, family members and friends because I love and affirm my LGBTQ child. Most of the Moms in my secret, private Facebook groups have the same story. As a result, some of us have become quite liberal politically – believe me, it can [Read More...]

A Great Letter From a Christian Dad Confused About His Gay Son

Your child is gay. Your love for your child seems to somehow conflict with your faith – at least according to what you may hear from church and Christian friends. How is that possible? Many voices tell you that your child needs ‘tough love’, needs to be ‘confronted in their sin’, maybe even needs to [Read More...]

The Bible is Not a Bag of Trail Mix

My social media has been burning up with opinions ever since the court ruling on Marriage Equality. Yours too? The opinions won’t change things; it is now the law of the land. But perhaps opinions can change how we receive Marriage Equality, how we engage with LGBTQ people about it, how we engage in loving [Read More...]

“The Church is Killing Its Gay Children” – The Deadly Results of Shame

Shame. It says, “There is something fundamentally wrong with you.” It is the lie at the very root of our identity. If I did something wrong, I can apologize and make amends. But if I am fundamentally wrong, what hope do I have? Our greatest need is to be loved, to belong, to be accepted [Read More...]

A Warning Label For The Bible

This needs to be said. This may open the floodgates to break people free from the damage and bondage of the law-focused, behavior-focused, fundamental, religious, non-affirming church. Jim Rigby, a Pastor, theologian, and one of the bravest, boldest men I know, has the guts to say it – and I want to share it with [Read More...]