Emerging Sexual Identities: Navigating the Landscape with Today's Youth

by Mark Yarhouse, Julia Sadusky, Esther White (Read by)

Overview

A thoughtful and orthodox approach to the sexual identity questions of today’s youth

According to a recent Gallup Poll, 20.8% of Gen Z identify as LGBTQ+. This book offers a measured Christian response to the diverse sexual identities that are embraced by more and more adolescents and explains how these identities function in the lives of today’s youth.

Mark Yarhouse and Julia Sadusky offer a nuanced, thoughtful, and orthodox approach for listeners accompanying those navigating sexual orientation questions, including parents, pastors, church leaders, youth workers, and counselors. They help listeners understand the new taxonomy of sexual identities that enable today’s youth to account for their sexuality in a more precise way.

Based on the authors’ significant clinical and ministry experience, Emerging Sexual Identities places this cultural development in historical context and casts a vision for practically engaging and ministering to teens navigating diverse sexual identities.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798228631564
Publisher:	christianaudio
Publication date:	10/21/2025
Product dimensions:	5.30(w) x 7.50(h) x (d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Mark Yarhouse is the Dr. Arthur P. Rech and Mrs. Jean May Rech Professor of Psychology at Wheaton College, where he also directs the Sexual & Gender Identity Institute. An award-winning teacher, psychologist, and researcher, Dr. Yarhouse has authored numerous books and articles, including the featured white paper on sexual identity for the Gospel Coalition's Christ on Campus Initiative. He lives in Winfield, Illinois.

Julia Sadusky works as a clinical psychologist in Denver, Colorado. She also serves as a youth and ministry educator, offering training and consultations on the intersection of sexuality, gender, and theology. Her research experiences and clinical training have focused on the study of sexual and gender identity, including providing individual, family, couples, and group therapy for those navigating sexual- and gender-identity concerns. She is an advisor for the Center for Faith, Sexuality & Gender.


Esther White spent much of her youth traveling internationally with her family, which spawned a natural curiosity and enthusiasm for immersing herself in the diverse cultures of the world. After earning her degree in broadcast journalism, she began her career in independent radio, where she discovered her passion for telling stories from behind the mic. When she's not in the recording booth, she works for a non-profit organization benefiting humanitarian causes, and enjoys spending time with her Blue Heeler, Theodore.

Table of Contents

Contents

Part 1: Understanding Culture and Context
1. A Culture of Sexual Identities
2. Queer Theory
3. How Sexual Identities Come into Being
Part 2: Identifying a Ministry Model
4. Controversies in Ministry
5. A Relational-Narrative Approach to Ministry
6. Narrative Revisited: Minister to Questions Tied to Chapters in a Life Story
7. Engaging Youth: Ministry Recommendations for Care and Counseling
Epilogue
Index

Editorial Reviews

Christian ministers will find this a particularly helpful tool for understanding young people right where they are and for engaging their self-perception and journey of faith in creative ways.”

Anna Carter

Offers grace-filled, biblically grounded, practical wisdom, helping us deepen the relationships with those we love when they need us most.”

founder of WisdomWorks and author of Faith for the Mark Matlock