Affirming: A Memoir of Faith, Sexuality, and Staying in the Church
What is it like to discover that something you’ve believed all your life might be wrong?
 
Sally Gary knew since her early adulthood that she was attracted to women. But as a devoted Christian, she felt there was no way to fully embrace this aspect of her identity while remaining faithful. Now, as she prepares to marry the love of her life, she’s ready to speak out about why—and how—her perspective changed.
 
In this deeply personal memoir, Sally traces the experiences, conversations, and scriptural reading that culminated in her seeing her sexuality as something that made sense within the context of her faith—not outside of it or in opposition to it. Along the way, she addresses specific aspects of her journey that will resonate with many other gay Christians: the loneliness and isolation of her previously celibate life, the futile attempts she made to resist or even “change” her sexual orientation, and the fear of intimacy that followed a lifetime of believing same-sex relationships were sinful.
 
Sally’s story—one of heritage, learning, courage, and love—is written especially for the generations of LGBTQ Christians after her who are questioning whether they can stay part of the church they call home. It’s a resounding reminder that, just like Sally’s own heart, things can change, and sometimes, when we earnestly search for the truth, we find it in the most unexpected places.
1137996578
Affirming: A Memoir of Faith, Sexuality, and Staying in the Church
What is it like to discover that something you’ve believed all your life might be wrong?
 
Sally Gary knew since her early adulthood that she was attracted to women. But as a devoted Christian, she felt there was no way to fully embrace this aspect of her identity while remaining faithful. Now, as she prepares to marry the love of her life, she’s ready to speak out about why—and how—her perspective changed.
 
In this deeply personal memoir, Sally traces the experiences, conversations, and scriptural reading that culminated in her seeing her sexuality as something that made sense within the context of her faith—not outside of it or in opposition to it. Along the way, she addresses specific aspects of her journey that will resonate with many other gay Christians: the loneliness and isolation of her previously celibate life, the futile attempts she made to resist or even “change” her sexual orientation, and the fear of intimacy that followed a lifetime of believing same-sex relationships were sinful.
 
Sally’s story—one of heritage, learning, courage, and love—is written especially for the generations of LGBTQ Christians after her who are questioning whether they can stay part of the church they call home. It’s a resounding reminder that, just like Sally’s own heart, things can change, and sometimes, when we earnestly search for the truth, we find it in the most unexpected places.
27.99 In Stock
Affirming: A Memoir of Faith, Sexuality, and Staying in the Church

Affirming: A Memoir of Faith, Sexuality, and Staying in the Church

by Sally Gary
Affirming: A Memoir of Faith, Sexuality, and Staying in the Church

Affirming: A Memoir of Faith, Sexuality, and Staying in the Church

by Sally Gary

Paperback

$27.99 
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Overview

What is it like to discover that something you’ve believed all your life might be wrong?
 
Sally Gary knew since her early adulthood that she was attracted to women. But as a devoted Christian, she felt there was no way to fully embrace this aspect of her identity while remaining faithful. Now, as she prepares to marry the love of her life, she’s ready to speak out about why—and how—her perspective changed.
 
In this deeply personal memoir, Sally traces the experiences, conversations, and scriptural reading that culminated in her seeing her sexuality as something that made sense within the context of her faith—not outside of it or in opposition to it. Along the way, she addresses specific aspects of her journey that will resonate with many other gay Christians: the loneliness and isolation of her previously celibate life, the futile attempts she made to resist or even “change” her sexual orientation, and the fear of intimacy that followed a lifetime of believing same-sex relationships were sinful.
 
Sally’s story—one of heritage, learning, courage, and love—is written especially for the generations of LGBTQ Christians after her who are questioning whether they can stay part of the church they call home. It’s a resounding reminder that, just like Sally’s own heart, things can change, and sometimes, when we earnestly search for the truth, we find it in the most unexpected places.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780802879172
Publisher: Eerdmans, William B. Publishing Company
Publication date: 02/23/2021
Pages: 237
Product dimensions: 5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

Sally Gary is founder and executive director of CenterPeace, a nonprofit organization that has been helping churches and families have Christ-like conversations about faith and sexuality since 2006. She is also the author of Loves God, Likes Girls.
 

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ix

Author's Note xii

Prologue 1

Part 1 Practicing Hospitality 11

1 Faith Roots 13

2 Welcoming the Stranger 25

3 Looking in the Mirror and Seeing the Stranger 41

4 The Birth of CenterPeace 58

Part 2 Interpreting Scripture 77

5 The Spirit of the Law 79

6 What's in a Translation? 91

7 Embracing Mystery 100

8 Overcoming Fear to Find Truth 113

Part 3 Embracing Covenant 129

9 What Healing Looks Like for Me 131

10 "It's Not Good for Man to Be Alone" 141

11 Covenant 157

Part 4 Inviting the Church to Make a Difference 171

12 Loving the Samaritan 173

13 Saving the Next Generation 189

14 Why I Stay 204

Resources 219

Notes 223

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