Nick Blevins: Church Leader, Speaker and Coach
NBFMP098
In this episode, I talk with Shelley Donaldson, Nick Elio, Mark Oestreicher, and Eric Woods – 4 of the 5 contributing authors of 4 Views on Pastoring LGBTQ Teenagers. They each share why they wanted to be a part of this project and why it's important to have an open dialogue about this. Specifically, we lean into the question: What do you do when LGBTQ teenagers in your ministry come out to you? While these authors do not all agree on everything, they are united in desiring that LGBTQ teenagers feel that the church is a safe place for them and know that they are loved by God. It's a great, open, honest conversation that allows leaders of all opinions and beliefs to learn from one another.
Connect with the Authors
Shelley Donaldson: Facebook | Twitter |Instagram | Email | TheTravellingTheologian.com
Gemma Dunning: Facebook | Twitter | GemmaDunning.com
Nick Elio: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | NickElio.com
Mark Oestreicher: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Email | WhyIsMarko.com
Eric Woods: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | EricDWoods.com
Links Mentioned in This Episode
4 Views on Pastoring LGBTQ Teenagers
4 Views on Pastoring LGBTQ Teenagers (Kindle Edition)
What should I do when LGBTQ teenagers in my ministry come out to me?
- Remember you are ministering to people
- Know that you’re the first resource to offer
- Understand that your role is is to remind them they are loved by God, they are loved by you, you're there for them, and you want them there
- Affirm their courage in telling you
- Be honest about where you’re at
- Ask: What can I do for you?
- Actively remind them (and all teenagers in your ministry) that their identity comes from the fact that they are a child of God
Action Items
- Get 4 Views on Pastoring LGBTQ Teenagers and read it
- Have necessary conversations with leadership, parents, students, and volunteers
- Train your team to pastor LGBTQ teenagers
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This was a great and thought provoking episode. Hearing many opinions and views just gives the brain a ton to chew on and an urgency to dig deeper in what God has to say and firm up what you believe as well while also leaving the gray, gray, with God’s love and compassion to cover for our inability and misunderstandings. Thank you for your podcast! God bless!