This booklet is one Evangelical Christian's journey trying to answer the question, "What if we're wrong about the 'gay' thing?" The implications of this question have kept me up at night. With the church polarized on this issue, there is little room for dialogue. I'm not a theologian, but I've been following Jesus for thirty-seven and have spent most of those years in full-time ministry. I have seen firsthand His love of and commitment to the marginalized. This booklet follows my journey from being a board member of a local Exodus group to an ally in the LGBTQ community.
Author's note. This booklet marks a moment in time when I was trying to sort things out. In the six years since I wrote this little booklet, a lot has changed. I would not consider myself evangelical anymore. It's as if my tribe left me, or booted me out over this one issue. I lost my job, my church, and many of my friends. Guess what? I made the right choice and have no regrets. I'm still a Christ follower and growing in my faith, despite what others might believe. This is a huge human rights issue, a justice issue. This is about loving people unconditionally.
WDJD -- What did Jesus do? He loved the marginalized, all of them. The only people he ever got mad at were the religious folks when they tried to keep people away from him with their man-made religion. Life should be lived by the greatest Love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength and love your neighbor as yourself. I'm going to spend the rest of my life trying to do those two things. That is all I need to worry about.
Tumbled People: Deconstructing and Reconstructing your faith is selling well. If you're going through a time of faith discouragement, for instance leaving the evangelical world because of their alignment with power and privilege, instead of the poor and marginalized. You might find solace and hope in this book.
This is a subject I have been confused about for some time. As I watch more and more "Evangelical" Christians driving people away from the Church and from a relationship with God instead of drawing them in, I have been struck by the irony. I myself have been comparing them to the Pharisees for several years and have rethought what the Bible teaches about who will make it to heaven. Is the AntiChrist an evil person or is it an evil system of people who claim the favor of God all the while refusing to share God's mercy and grace.....His LOVE...with everyone else? The most important point made by the author is this; when uncertain or confused about what Jesus would do, it is always better to err on the side of love. I believe the GOD who is LOVE will never be disappointed with that choice. Very relevent and needed in our world read. Thank you, Jacci for sharing this thoughtful and enlightening journey with those of us who have become uncomfortable with the increasingly pharisaical nature of the "Evangelical Church".
Jacci's experience is presented in a brief, easy to read format but her story is love at it's bravest. This summary version leaves me wanting more... in depth memoir please!
I am very interested I'm everyone's view on religion and homosexuality, so this was a perfect light read for me. It's a must read for any body of faith.
I genuinely feel like everyone should read this book. It's short, easy, thought provoking, and an excellent conversation starter. A few friends of mine used it to start a conversation with their conservative family members about why they were in favor of marriage equality. This book gave them the words they needed to have a frank discussion in a loving, non-offensive way. I mean, why not read something that's going to improve your ability to have an important discussion with others?
I love what this book stands for but it saddens me to see that the Christian community is still grappling with and contemplating such basic principles.