Chapter 21 A Life of Unlearning (2nd edition) - Moving forward The first and second editions of A Life of Unlearning sold out. Information about the 3rd edition HERE The week after the launch of the first edition of A Life of Unlearning, I invited the Honourable Justice Michael Kirby to lunch. This would be a [...]
Hillsong and LGBTQ It seems a lot of people want to know about Hillsong and LGBTQ. I've learnt not to trust all journalists. Most are good, but not all. Some have "used" my story to push their own agendas. I was more interested in "the cause" than wanting to enhance their careers with a sensationalist [...]
How, when and why Hillsong banned ‘ex-gay’ referrals Can you be out and proud at Hillsong? If you are gay, lesbian or bi, it becomes a guessing game of who to be open and authentic with. Mostly you hide your true self for fear of negative reactions. You are either pretending, not correcting people’s assumptions you’re [...]
Hillsong's Marty Sampson has shaken up the Pentecostal and Evangelical worlds by declaring on social media his faith is on shaky ground. This is familiar territory for many of us, especially if we are LGBTI from that background. Some years back, I came across an incredibly insightful article 'Stages of Faith - A Map for [...]
FULL ARTICLE How, when and why Hillsong banned ‘ex-gay’ referrals HERE Do you know about the recent Hillsong drama? It involved Chris Pratt, a Hillsong-attending award winning actor, famous for his roles in “The Lego Movie,” “Jurassic World,” and “Guardians of the Galaxy” Ellen Page, multi-award winning Canadian actress who is a declared atheist and [...]
In an extraordinary week, both the Catholic Church and Hillsong appeared to be making progress re their attitude, if not their beliefs, about LGBT people. It's a dance. Two steps forward one back. Roman Catholic Church Two steps forward At the Vatican, a Shift in Tone Toward Gays and Divorce One step back Pope Francis [...]
Why is it so hard? Resolving the perceived conflict of faith and sexuality is a difficult path for most people from a traditional/conservative Christian culture. LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) people from Pentecostal or Charismatic backgrounds have specific needs to be addressed in order to resolve that internal conflict. LGBT people from Pentecostal and Charismatic [...]
One of the few remaining ex-gay/reparative/conversion therapy organisations in Australia has announced the appointment of a new leader after the resignation of Haydn Sennitt last year. The December newsletter reads: "The Liberty Committee is excited to announce that Allan Starr has been appointed as our new part-time Pastoral Worker. He will begin with us in [...]
Hillsong: Pastor Brian Houston talks about the pink elephant in the room Contrary to popular opinion, homosexuality or the 'gay issue' is not often mentioned from Hillsong pulpits; for or against. On Sunday 18 August 2013, Hillsong's Senior Pastor, Brian Houston, preached a message that was broadcast to all Hillsong congregations around the world in [...]