Why Churches Need to Talk about Sexuality

"""The topic of LGBTQ inclusion is among the most debated and, sadly, most divisive religious issues today. Why Churches Need to Talk About Sexuality is a helpful guide to understanding what's at stake, why it matters, and how churches' unwillingness to discuss this topic has harmed countless marginalized people. Mark Wingfield writes with both a reporter's curiosity and a preacher's clarity, and the result is a helpful roadmap for navigating a conversation that Christians can no longer avoid. Readers on both sides of this contentious issue will find space to wrestle in the pages of this book."" --Jonathan Merritt, contributing writer for The Atlantic; author of Learning to Speak God from Scratch ""Why Churches Need to Talk about Sexuality is the guidebook so many church leaders and congregations have been waiting for. Navigating the conversation about LGBTQ inclusion can be daunting, especially in the face of significant disagreement. The hard-won wisdom Mark Wingfield shares here will be invaluable for all those seeking to help their churches become more inclusive and affirming of LGBTQ Christians."" --Matthew Vines, executive director of The Reformation Project; author of God and the Gay Christian: The Biblical Case in Support of Same-Sex Relationship ""Mark Wingfield is a Baptist pastor with a heart for everybody. As a person of faith serving as a senior pastor, a man who happens to be married to a man, I welcome this book as it seeks to inform, engage, and encourage all readers, but most especially persons of faith who sincerely want to learn more about the LGBTQ members of their communities, in an important conversation about the church and sexuality. In this book, Wingfield inspires faith, hope, and love. And, yes, as you will soon read, the greatest of these is love!"" --Neil Cazares-Thomas, senior pastor at Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ in Dallas ""How we welcome and love all of God's children is the most vital issue facing the church today, and Mark Wingfield writes about it beautifully, passionately, and thoughtfully. Why Churches Need to Talk about Sexuality is an essential book for anyone hoping to move their church and their faith to what comes next."" --Greg Garrett, author of My Church Is Not Dying ""This book is the beacon of light that churches all over America need to help them address the topic of LGBTQ inclusion in faith spaces. With transparency, practicality, deep wisdom, and without bias, Wingfield gently teaches how to navigate this inevitable conversation. This long-awaited resource is one I will be recommending often."" --Amber Cantorna, national speaker; author of Unashamed and Refocusing My Family ""This is our story, our church's journey toward full inclusion of all LGBTQ Christians in the life of our faith community. It's a hard story, but good. Good things are often hard. But the way of Christ leads to a larger table where there is always room for more. Mark Wingfield's book is a testimony and testament to the joy that comes to a people when whosoever will may come really means everybody."" --George A. Mason, senior pastor, Wilshire Baptist Church ""Why Christians Need to Talk about Sexuality is the honest and compelling story of one church's journey toward greater inclusion for LGBTQ individuals and families. Any mainline church thinking about moving through a process of discernment will be helped by reading about the work of Wilshire Baptist in Dallas, Texas. The church conversations illustrate the challenges and gifts of faithfully wrestling with sexuality, orientation, identity, and gender."" --Joretta L. Marshall, professor and director of the Carpenter Initiative in Gender, Sexuality, and Justice, Brite Divinity School"