Leading a Church in a Time of Sexual Questioning
Grace-Filled Wisdom for Day-to-Day Ministry
- Church Leadership & Ministry
- Publisher: Thomas Nelson
- Published: 2019
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Publisher's Description
Biblical Guidance for Ministering God’s Love in a Sexually Diverse Culture In a time when sexual norms are changing rapidly, how can a local church be a place of grace—a loving community for all kinds of people—where everyone can flourish and disagreements are overcome in a Christlike spirit while at the same time stay true to biblical standards? In a way that appeals to pastors and lay leaders alike, Bruce offers a biblical theology of sexuality and provides practical wisdom for how a church can approach ministering to, and alongside, people who identify their sexuality in diverse ways: LGBTQ+. Here is a church-tested program full of wise pastoral insights to help church leaders think through day-to-day decisions, such as how to handle baby dedications, small groups, who can serve, membership, baptism, retreats, the Lord’s Supper, weddings, funerals, teaching, hiring, and caring for those caught in sin. If you are a leader who is facing any of these challenging issues and decisions, then this practical, grace-filled book is for you.
Endorsements (19)
“Bruce Miller is a wise guide in one of the most practical books I have read on this subject. A thoroughly biblical, thoughtful, and grace-filled book, you will find yourself returning to it again and again.”
“As someone well acquainted with the confusing isolation of feeling the need to choose between being gay and being a Christian, I find [this] to be a carefully written book full of meticulous, thoughtful research, but most of all full of love. Miller’s heart to show the radical love of God to all people, especially the marginalized, is apparent through every chapter as he challenges church leaders to employ their ministries as effective instruments of God’s healing love.”
“If you’re serious about dealing with the sexual issues of our day in a Christlike way, Miller will guide you as a theologian, a pastor, and a fellow sexual being into a much needed balance of grace and truth.”
“It’s honest, challenges the genuineness of our biblical conviction of real (Christlike) love and the level of inclusiveness we are willing to embrace. Thought provoking and cutting edge, great depth, well covered, balanced. Disturbing for some because it challenges established leadership habits and some stereotypical teaching. Reflective of our heavenly Father’s heart, convicting. Well done.”
“I believe this book is a game changer! It is a powerful guide for church leaders and entire congregations. I think it will also be encouraging for parents of LGBT+ kids. Awesome job!”
“I read every word of your manuscript. My response is amen! This book is so needed and I think you’ve done an incredible job addressing the issue(s), and providing a process and real help for the church. I’m going to take my staff through your book ASAP. It’s the best book I’ve ever read on the subject.”
“Irenic, compassionate, and pastorally astute, this book is a timely entry in an increasingly antagonistic conversation. Instead of getting lost in debates, Bruce Miller returns us again and again to the Christian necessity of love: love for Christ, love for Scripture, and love for people—all people—regardless of sexual orientation or sexual ethics or sexual expression. I pray that many more church communities with a historic Christian sexual ethic come to resemble the church envisioned in this book.”
“This is a book that needed to be written and I can’t think of a better person for the job. You are going the love the way Bruce tackles this super-sensitive topic with skill, passion, balance, and grace. Anybody who plans to step outside into the world we live in today needs to take in the message of this book.”
“This book needed to be written. As Christians who believe the Bible is the infallible Word of God, we cannot—we must not—look the other way. Bruce Miller has not! As a pastor-theologian, he has probed deeply into the Scriptures to discover God’s mind on sexual issues that have surfaced in our present culture. Caution! Read this book carefully from cover to cover. Evaluate the author’s conclusions and his total perspective.”
Dr. Gene A. Getz
“In this book [Bruce Miller] applies his God-given gift of clarity to one of the most difficult topics we face today. This is a must-read for pastors, parents, and students facing the difficult task of navigating the topic of sexual identity in today’s culture.”
“There has been a need for a book like this for a long time. Bruce has wrestled long and hard with questions related to LGBTQ people and the church. With biblical fidelity and a pastoral heart, he addresses the practical and difficult issues churches are facing today. He doesn’t always give easy answers. And you may disagree with him at times, as I do. But I am not aware of any other book that addresses such challenging questions with sensitivity, honesty, and biblical wisdom.”
“A must-read for church leaders. Bruce’s treatment of a controversial topic is done with grace and biblical truth. . . . I encourage readers to dive in with an open mind, allowing God to change your heart, knowing God’s truth will remain forever.”
“If you are a busy church leader who cares about these issues but does not have the time to read all the books on the topic, Bruce just saved you time. If you only have time for one book, read this one. . . . You may not agree with everything you read, but you will find guidance and wisdom to make your own decisions for your context.”
“With compassion and generosity [Bruce Miller] brings biblical theology into the arena of one of the thorniest topics facing the church in this present culture: human sexuality. I promise you will be challenged!”
“A book that walks you through the full array of scenarios a church leader must consider when thinking through issues tied to sexuality. It does so with sensitivity, skill, and clarity. . . . the gift of this book is it will force you to think carefully through this discussion and its myriad possibilities, a real service to us all.”
“I’m so thankful that a book has finally been written from a pastoral perspective that treats faith and sexuality as the truly nuanced subjects that they are. Bruce asks informed, thought-provoking questions that allow you to lean into this conversation and discern what is right for your church in your context—all within sound, biblical theology.”
“Dr. Miller does a great job handling the relevant biblical texts but also interacting with research, sharing stories of those wrestling with all the related issues, and describing productive ways of having meaningful discussions, even with those who may disagree on the myriad issues to address. I commend it highly to pastors and leaders to help them address LGBT+ issues both with their words and with their lives in the coming years.”
“As a pastor who has for thirty-one years been leading a large metroplex church through an intense time of sexual questioning, I am deeply grateful to my long-time friend and colleague Dr. Bruce Miller for providing us more than just a new book. This is actually balm for my pastoral soul! . . . You’ll also breathe a sigh of relief as you read Bruce’s commonsense answers for pastors attempting to lead wisely through the many seemingly intractable LGBT complexities in their churches.”
“As a pastor who is responsible to help our church navigate a whole new sexual and cultural landscape, I’ve found this to be the most helpful book written on the topic to date. Bruce is a pastor/theologian who is able to bring the best of both worlds to this topic. He breaks down very complex issues in ways that are deeply thoughtful, biblically accurate, appropriately humble, and extremely helpful.”
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