Today I just want to take a moment to highlight the work of another amazing organization. The Reformation Project (www.reformationproject.org) is a Bible-based, Christian grassroots organization that works to promote inclusion of LGBT people by reforming church teaching on sexual orientation and gender identity. Their vision is for a global church that fully affirms LGBT people.

In 2012, Matthew Vines delivered a speech in front of a congregation at College Hill United Methodist Church, detailing his belief that “the Bible never directly addresses and certainly does not condemn, loving, committed same-sex relationships”. The presentation was uploaded to YouTube, where it went viral through its sharing on social networks. The clip included a detailed treatment of the Bible verses that are generally translated to refer to homosexuality, and in it Vines says that once original languages and context are taken into consideration, some Bible references are more ambiguous than many people realize. (Again, thanks Wikipedia!)

It’s a long video, but it’s well worth your time if you’re interested in knowing how Christians who take the Bible seriously have come to an LGBTQ-affirming stance.

Matthew Vines has gone on to gather this content into a book that includes the story of his life. It’s called “God and the Gay Christian,” and it’s an easy read if you’re interested.

I hope you’ll consider reading or watching. Even if you’re not convinced, it will help you understand where people like me are coming from.