Living Out Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

When people hear that Living Out - a group of same-sex attracted Christians - believe that sex is reserved for the marriage of a man and a woman, they tend to have questions...

How does our intimacy (or lack of intimacy) with creation impact our intimacy with God, ourselves and others? Will the sea be warmer in the new creation? And when's the Intimacy Deficit merch dropping? Ed and Andy are joined by Anne to answer all the important questions.

Resources mentioned and related 

• The Intimacy Deficit by Ed Shaw
• God of All Things: Rediscovering the Sacred in an Everyday World by Andrew Wilson
• Brick
• Habitica
• iNaturalist  
• Merlin
• Keswick Convention talks on the intimacy deficit

7-13 July is the week of visibility for non-monogamy, so we’ve got a special episode for you diving into polyamory and consensual non-monogamy. What do these kinds of relationships look like? What are the trends that are leading to them being normalised? Why should we care and how should we respond as Christians?   

We quiz Andrew Bunt, who’s written a booklet on the topic called Three or More, and think this all through together. 

Resources mentioned and related 

• Three or More Andrew Bunt 
• What About Old Testament Polygamy? Andrew Bunt  
• Are You Ready for the Challenge of Polyamory? Andrew Bunt 

How should Christians who are attracted to the same sex describe themselves? In this episode, the team talk about the pros and cons of labelling ourselves as 'celibate gay Christians' or 'same-sex attracted Christians.'

We talk about the importance of clarity in communication, how what we say about ourselves plays into our identity and give some words of wisdom for young people coming to terms with their own same-sex attraction.

Resources mentioned and related

• The Christian Debate Over Sexual Identity: Orientation And Labelling Sam Allberry
• It’s Not My Identity, But It Is My Story Anne Witton
• Is My Sexuality Who I Am? Andrew Bunt
• Take Your Time Ed Shaw
• What's Good About Struggling With Same-sex Attraction? Anne Witton
• Single Gay Christian Greg Coles
• Is God Anti-Gay? Sam Allberry
• The Plausibility Problem Ed Shaw
• “Gay” Vs. “Same Sex Attraction:” A Dialogue Greg Coles and Rachel Gilson

In this series, the team tackle some of the most difficult questions that we get asked and in this first episode Ed, Andy, Anne and Andrew discuss whether conversion therapy should be banned.

They talk about definitions of conversion therapy, its effects, how prevalent it is and what needs to be taken into consideration as legislation is being drafted.

Resources mentioned and related

• Does Living Out Support ‘Gay Cure’ or ‘Reparative Therapy’? Ed Shaw
• Ban Conversion Therapy, But Don't Ban Support Andrew Bunt
• Freedom to Be Me Anne Witton
• Can Your Sexuality Change? Peter Ould
• Have I Been Subjected to Torture? Andrew Bunt
• Conversion Therapy Ban Consultation The Living Out Team
• My New Interest in Human Rights Ed Shaw
• Why Are Some People Same-sex Attracted? Ed Shaw
• Sean's Story
• Conversion Therapy Resources The Living Out Team
• What would a conversion therapy ban mean for gay Christians like me? Ed Shaw
• A law that traps teens Andrew Bunt
• I’m a gay Christian. Here’s why banning conversion therapy won’t protect LGBT people Andrew Bunt
• Undivided Vicky Beeching
• Boy Erased, 2018
• The Miseducation of Cameron Post, 2018

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A trailer for the third series of the Living Out podcast where we'll be discussing questions that no one wants to answer.

In the final podcast of this series, Ed, Andy and Andrew discuss whether holding to a traditional biblical sexual ethic puts us on the crazy end of the spectrum of historic and global Christianity.

They also explore why people in secular society might think that Living Out's view on sexuality is crazy.

Resources mentioned

• Living Out stories
• The Gospel in a Pluralist Society Lesslie Newbigin

Andrew, Andy and Anne talk about how they've each come to feel more at ease with their sexuality and how they've been able to develop good friendships in spite of the pitfalls.

The show also explores pathways out of shame for the Christian and the importance of having an identity that is rooted in Christ.

Resources mentioned

• How Can I Find Freedom from the Weight of Sexual Sin? Dan Reid
• How Do You Cope With Ongoing Same-sex Attraction? Ed Shaw
• How Can I Find Freedom from Shame? Rob Wood
• What's Good About Struggling With Same-sex Attraction? Anne Witton

In today's show, Anne, Ed and Andy discuss whether sexuality is really a big deal. Why are Christians obsessed with sex when there seem to be so many other pressing issues? Do Christians need to fall out over sexual ethics or is it something we can just agree to disagree on? How can we respond when churches and denominations change their stance?

Resources mentioned

• Why Can't Christians Agree to Differ? Sam Allberry
• What Is Sexuality for? Ed Shaw
• Why Should the Church Be Debating Homosexuality? Ed Shaw
• How Can We Have Good Discussions With Christians Who Disagree With Us on Sexuality? Andrew Goddard
• I Will Follow Jon Guerra

For many people, same-sex attraction can feel very isolating. Ed, Andy and Anne discuss how, over time, they felt less alone and were able to get support from friends and church. We also share some advice for those just becoming aware of their sexualities and wanting support and we look at helpful things churches can do. And we also learn about Ed's imaginary wife.

Resources mentioned

• Washed and Waiting Wesley Hill
• True Freedom Trust
• Living Out stories
• Should A Church Start a Group for Same-Sex Attracted Members? Charlie Skrine
• What Does Good Pastoral Support Look Like? (Part 1) Andy Robinson
• What Does Good Pastoral Support Look Like? (Part 2) Andy Robinson
• What Does Good Pastoral Support Look Like? (Part 3) Andy Robinson
• Living Out Church Audit