Ministering to Gay Teenagers: Practical Help for Youth Workers and Families

by Shawn Harrison

Overview

Ministering to Gay Teenagers was originally published in November 2012. This edition is revamped with approximately 80% new material incorporating wisdom the author has since learned, in addition to valuable feedback received from his youth ministry peers.

When it comes to ministering to gays and lesbians, far too many churches have chosen silence over service, or a reactive stance over proactive involvement. But congregations must abandon their comfort zone and minister to a group of people who need to experience the love of Jesus in powerful, tangible ways.

With truths drawn from his own personal experiences, youth pastor Shawn Harrison seeks to equip youth workers, parents, and churches in ministering to gay teenagers, their families, and the gay community at-large. The church must not compromise truth, he says, but it should not withhold grace either. How gay students first encounter God—personally and communally—and how Christians react to them can determine subsequent steps in their faith journey.

Ministering to Gay Teenagers is filled with wisdom and practical advice on how to respond when a student comes out and how to help the teenager’s family through that journey, too. This book will equip leaders and parents with solid answers to the questions families ask. And it will challenge youth workers and churches to consider how to practically serve and minister to a group of people who seek deep authenticity in love, character, truth, and presence.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781470713591
Publisher:	Group Publishing, Incorporated
Publication date:	03/07/2014
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Shawn Harrison is the founder of Six:11 Ministries, an online ministry resource that exists to proclaim God’s identity and wholeness. He specializes in training youth workers and church leaders in ministering to the gay community, and working with gay teens and their families. Shawn is a youth pastor in St. Marys, Ohio, where he lives with his wife and three kids. He blogs at six11.wordpress.com.

Table of Contents

Part 1 This Journey

Chapter 1 My Story 3

Chapter 2 Understanding Same-Sex Attractions 11

Part 2 Youth Workers

Chapter 3 Ministry Foundations 21

Chapter 4 Core Value of "Belong" 39

Chapter 5 Core Values of "Believe" and "Be Transformed" 49

Chapter 6 Youth Ministry FAQs (and Questions to Discuss) 59

Part 3 Families and Friends

Chapter 7 Loving Your Gay Child 71

Chapter 8 Loving a Gay Sibling or Friend 83

Chapter 9 Family FAQs (and Questions to Discuss) 89

Part 4 Responding Well

Chapter 10 The Church as a Restorative Community 103

Chapter 11 Being a Mentor 117

Endnotes 125