Ooof! 'Circle of Hope' was a slow motion, high impact gut punch for me! I felt both engrossed in Griswold's storytelling... while also feeling sick to my stomach the entire duration. It's for the very same reasons you gave that my partner and I drive an hour each way every Sunday to attend a church in a different city - one that fully includes us as a gay couple, but doesn't at all resemble a 'Gay Pride Church.' It’s nice to know I’m not alone in how I felt reading this book! 😁
Thanks for sharing! The book was difficult to read but hard to put down. It’s always good to hear from gay Christians longing for churches centered on Jesus and turned off by an over emphasis on progressivism. I think our voices often get tuned out.
I dated someone in 2021–22 whose father was a COH member. He hosted Bible studies at his apartment. I have met Pastor Rachel, who was personable and friendly. It’s amazing, and sad, to read about this drama. “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, unity; in no things, charity.”
Wow, I’m sure this story hits extra hard when you knew some of the people involved. Circle of Hope seemed like it was filled with good people and good community, which made the implosion all the more tragic.
I thought so, too. I got a follow up email from a former board member the next day questioning my feelings toward gay Christians. It was notable how an affirming church was mobilizing against a gay Christian for questioning whether they were overemphasizing LGBT and de-emphasizing Jesus. I felt their responses proved my point.
Yeah, and I bet if you push back the reply would be something like “Ah, you’ve chosen assimilation over solidarity. Raca, thou fool.” It stinks how you can have your head in the sand in the name of good intentions—LGBTQ affirmation is so important to me for the life of the Church because of how Jesus and His salvation is at the center of why Church matters at all.
Ooof! 'Circle of Hope' was a slow motion, high impact gut punch for me! I felt both engrossed in Griswold's storytelling... while also feeling sick to my stomach the entire duration. It's for the very same reasons you gave that my partner and I drive an hour each way every Sunday to attend a church in a different city - one that fully includes us as a gay couple, but doesn't at all resemble a 'Gay Pride Church.' It’s nice to know I’m not alone in how I felt reading this book! 😁
Thanks for sharing! The book was difficult to read but hard to put down. It’s always good to hear from gay Christians longing for churches centered on Jesus and turned off by an over emphasis on progressivism. I think our voices often get tuned out.
I dated someone in 2021–22 whose father was a COH member. He hosted Bible studies at his apartment. I have met Pastor Rachel, who was personable and friendly. It’s amazing, and sad, to read about this drama. “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, unity; in no things, charity.”
Wow, I’m sure this story hits extra hard when you knew some of the people involved. Circle of Hope seemed like it was filled with good people and good community, which made the implosion all the more tragic.
The footnote about your former church getting defensive rather than reflective about how their values statement doesn’t mention Jesus is instructive.
I thought so, too. I got a follow up email from a former board member the next day questioning my feelings toward gay Christians. It was notable how an affirming church was mobilizing against a gay Christian for questioning whether they were overemphasizing LGBT and de-emphasizing Jesus. I felt their responses proved my point.
Yeah, and I bet if you push back the reply would be something like “Ah, you’ve chosen assimilation over solidarity. Raca, thou fool.” It stinks how you can have your head in the sand in the name of good intentions—LGBTQ affirmation is so important to me for the life of the Church because of how Jesus and His salvation is at the center of why Church matters at all.
A very interesting read. Hope to check out the book this year.
Thank you! It’s a fascinating book.