THE OPEN DOOR MINISTRY: Since I initiated this portion of my web site I have often found the need to have a place I can refer g/l/b Christians where they can receive the support they need to live their faith while maintaining their sexual orientation. Recently, that place came to me. The founder of the OPEN DOOR MINISTRY is a member of my own denomination, which means that he would rather see you in a church which matches YOUR belief structure than see you in his own church. His mission statement follows:
To be a Christian support group with a three fold purpose:
- To unite members with their church community regardless of their sexual orientation whenever possible. (Referral Service)
- To work with the local church communities for inclusivity regardless sexual orientation in their ministries. (Educational Resource and Prayer Network)
- To provide a safe and supportive Christian fellowship to persons still unable to be involved in their church community. (Fellowship)
In summary, to bring together the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered community and the local church communities, this is our purpose.
You can find the OPEN DOOR MINISTRY at the above link, or at their Internet chapter which holds a weekly chat session on Wednesdays at 6:30PM Eastern Time.
WHOSOEVER: a bimonthly electronic magazine dedicated to encouraging the Christian faith of gay, lesbian and transgendered individuals. It is based on the tenant that when Jesus said "whosoever believeth in him," (John 3:16) he was not excluding the readers of this newsletter. While the emphasis is encouragement, insight, and support for the gay, lesbian, and transgendered, there is a wealth of material that is of general interest to believers of all orientations. Back issues of this newsletter, in existence for just over two years now, can also be found at this site. The editor, Candace Chellew, is a one woman show, publishing the newsletter and maintaining the site on her own efforts with the support of those who would like to make donations to help fund her efforts.
GAY CHRISTIAN ON-LINE by KSCowboyBB, who describes himself as a Christian first, a Dad second, and a Scot/Irishman third. This man refuses to argue the gay-Christian position, believing that his visitors are gay already and do not need to be convinced. Instead, he offers support and encouragement to gay Christians. It is one of the most extensive web-sites I have ever seen and well worth exploring. KSCowboyBB has also described himself as the "gay Ann Landers" of the internet.
GAY BIBLE INTERPRETATION: a powerful essay by John Linscheid, finding affirmation of his Christian faith in spite of those passages which appear to condemn his homosexuality.
SURVIVING THE FIRE another powerful essay by John Linscheid about dealing with the prejudice encountered because of your sexual orientation. It is based on some alternate, historical, interpretations of the greater Sodom and Gommorah story.
GLAAD Home page of the GAY AND LESBIAN ALLIANCE AGAINST DEFAMATION
UFMCC Electronic Gateway an extensive list of links to documents provided by the UNIVERSAL FELLOWSHIP OF METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCHES, known as the "GAY CHURCH"
UCC HOME PAGE to THE UNTIED CHURCH OF CHRIST, to the best of my knowledge, the only "straight" denomination with a denominational
"OPEN AND AFFIRMING" policy, the only "straight" denomination where you don't have to cover the "bishop's" eyes in order to ordain a gay, lesbian or bisexual minister. However, since local congregations are not bound by denominational or regional policies, this does not mean that every congregation has adopted this policy.
The UCC Coalition for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered Concerns; Youth and Young Adult Program: Sponsored by the United Church of Christ, the Coalition provides programs for self discovery, self imaging and both spiritual and secular issues for the gay or transgendered of all faiths or religious perspectives.
CHRISTIANITY AND HOMOSEXUALITY a series of essays to the gay Christian, by an anonymous author, accessed by links through this page. Three of these essays discuss the latest scholarship on pertinent passages from a literalism's perspective. While the one concerning Sodom and Gomorrah is excellent, I disagree with the one about the Leviticus passages and Paul's
Romans chapter one.
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