Behind The Scenes: Believe Out Loud’s Internship Program

A man in a black coat leaning on a railing in the woods.

Interns like John are invaluable to our work at Believe Out Loud. Donate today to continue our Internship Program. Hello, Believe Out Loud readers! My name is John, and I was the graphic design intern for Believe Out Loud this past summer. In May, I obtained my BFA from Frostburg State University, and I’ve spent my time since my…

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Adventist Pastor Forced To Resign Over Step-Daughter’s Wedding

Two wedding rings on a pillow.

Recently, Brett Hadley, a Bible teacher, pastor and drama coach at Highland View Academy, a Seventh-day Adventist school in Maryland, was forced to resign. The reason: he participated in the wedding of his step-daughter, who entered into a same-sex marriage. When the family planned this event as a family dinner, no one guessed it would result in…

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Is Attending Church Worth The Risk?

A group of people standing in a church.

Visit our Welcoming Church Map to find a welcoming & affirming church near you. “Church starts at 9:30,” my dad yells into my room. I immediately text my wife, Oh god! Dad wants me to go to church with him! I don’t know if I can do this. I really don’t want to—should I go…

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Mary Ann Barclay Reinstated In Methodist Ordination Process

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Mary Ann (Kaiser) Barclay, a candidate for ordination in the United Methodist Church who was preemptively removed from her ordination process after she married a woman, will have the opportunity to continue pursuing ordination. In June 2013, Barclay as removed from her ordination process by the Southwest Texas Conference Board of Ordained Ministry. Barclay was…

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The Dawn Of Advent: A Reflection On World AIDS Day

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I make it a point to try to avoid focusing or writing too heavily on my status as an HIV positive individual, lest it comes to define me. There are two times throughout the year, however, where I make it a practice to reflect on the virus. One occurs around the early weeks of Epiphany,…

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Thank You & My Upcoming Departure

A man and a woman posing for a photo.

Today I write to share with you the news that I will bid farewell to Believe Out Loud at the end of this month. Since serving as director in late 2011, I have collaborated and listened to many of you as my team worked hard to find the best ways to curate and share the…

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