Historically,
engagement between the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender) community
and the Christian church has been volatile. Little progress has been made when
either side have maintained entrenched attitudes and beliefs. One side being
called faggots, perverts and abominations whilst the other side labelled
haters, bigots and homophobes. Tired clichés of “Love the sinner, hate the sin” and “God created Adam and Eve not Adam and Steve” used
regularly by some Christian leaders, reminds LGBT people they are not welcome
in churches.

Is
there a way to move beyond adversarial, opposing positions?

How do we create
understanding and progress the conversation for acceptance and equality
forward?

Creating a Space for Change addresses these issues
  • Who is and isn’t
    ready for the conversation? 
  • How to create a safe
    space for respectful dialogue? 
  • What’s the difference
    between welcoming, accepting and affirming churches? 
  • Understanding the
    seven stage continuum from hatred to acceptance 
  • Comparing societies
    and the churches progress on LGBT equality 
  • Four reasons why the
    church MUST make the ‘gay issue’ a priority
When: Sunday 20 October 2013 Time: 7:00pm
Where: The Sacred Lounge, 37-47 St Johns Road, 2037 Glebe
Facebook event
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Sacred Lounge Facebook page
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ALL WELCOME! 
    Presenter

    Anthony
    Venn-Brown was a leader in the Assemblies of God, a popular preacher in Australia’s
    mega-churches and founder of Youth Alive (NSW). His personal journey of
    reconciling his same-sex orientation with his Christian faith spans 28 years.
    In 1991 he resigned from the ministry believing these two things were
    irreconcilable and struggled to come to terms with the loss of his friends,
    faith and purpose.

    His
    award winning autobiography ‘A Life of
    Unlearning’     was released in 2004. Anthony has become an ambassador for the
    LGBT community by encouraging respectful dialogues and educating people about
    sexuality. Over the last 15 years has assisted 1,000’s of gay and straight
    individuals to find resolution in these areas. Anthony is the co-founder of Freedom2b, Australia’s largest
    organisation for LGBT people from Christian backgrounds. Anthony has also
    become a respected community leader and his work acknowledged by being a
    finalist for the  2011 ACON Community
    Hero Award as well as twice voted one of the 25 Most
    Influential Gay and Lesbian Australians     (2007 & 2009).
    Anthony
    is now the founder and CEO of Ambassadors
    & Bridge Builders International    .