Sermon Shorts

A pair of headphones sitting on top of an open book.

Throughout the month of June, we’ve shared a series of short sermon videos called #SermonShorts. Compiled from our previous LGBTQIA-affirming services, these 1-minute clips of spiritual nourishment are all about Pride and believing out loud: Step Into the Light Miracle of the Rainbow Demanding to Be Seen We Are a Reflection of God We invite…

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Being alone with God: Reflections on The Soul of the Stranger

[Above: Joy Ladin reads at the Intersections office on March 10, 2020] On March 10, 2020, Believe Out Loud and Intersections hosted author and academic Joy Ladin in our New York office for a reading and discussion celebrating her book The Soul of the Stranger: Reading God and Torah from a Transgender Perspective. It was…

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Imitating God’s Heart

A pink background with a quote that says lent is the appointed time in which we do our spiritual spring cleaning and get real before our.

I grew up in the Baptist Church and we did not commemorate the liturgical season of the Christian Church.  When I became a pastor, it was my church in Sacramento that schooled me on Advent and Lent.  I developed a deep appreciation for the spiritual concepts of developing patience (a core part of anticipation of…

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Reconciling United Methodists of Texas Conference Offers Support for Bishop Karen Oliveto

A small white church in the middle of a wooded area.

Reconciling United Methodists of Texas Conference unreservedly supports Bishop Karen Oliveto of the Mountain Sky Area. We pray her episcopacy will be long and fruitful—resulting in many disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. We give thanks for vocal disciples in the Western Jurisdiction nominating, electing, consecrating, and assigning Bishop Oliveto. We…

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John Paulk Renounces Ex-Gay Therapy; Evangelicals Respond

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This week, former ex-gay spokesperson John Paulk issued a public apology for his involvment in ex-gay ministries, stating that reparative therapy does not change sexual orientation and apologizing for the pain caused by his advocacy. Below is a response from the Evangelical Network regarding Paulk’s change of heart. To admit that you have made a…

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“I’m Sorry”: God Adores You

God is love, santa fe, california.

Someone on twitter recently asked me how I defined courage. I sat in my room turning the question over and over in my mind, but then I responded with “Courage is being able to step onto the stormy waters, despite your fear, when Jesus calls.” I felt Jesus calling this past week and I was…

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How I Learned To Embrace My Bisexuality

A woman in a white shirt standing in a wooded area.

When one of my oldest, closest friends came out to me as transgender, I immediately resolved to become the best transgender ally I could be. Preferred pronouns, how to be of help, how to introduce him to people—I tried to do as much research and become as well versed as I could for him. I…

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Believe Out Loud Director Joins Post-Election Panel Discussion

Two men in suits standing next to each other at an event.

Washington, D.C.-November 15, 2012—Joseph Ward III, Director of Believe Out Loud, joins faith leaders at the U.S. Capitol tonight for a post-election panel discussion: “The Next Chapter in LGBT Justice: A Faith Perspective.” The discussion, convened by the Raben Group with Metropolitan Community Churches, will reflect upon the state of collaboration between progressive faith leaders…

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The Value of Spiritual Surrender

A white flower in a vase.

Holiday seasons, including Holy Week and Easter, are generally tough for everyone. For many of us in the LGBTQ+ community, holiday seasons can be even tougher, but on the other side of our deepest heartache lies our deepest breakthrough. This is because what we cannot hold alone forces us to either go mad, or go…

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