So it has been some months since I’ve spoke of the adventures with the book, “A Bigger World Yet; Faith, Brotherhood, and Same-Sex Needs.” As of late there have been two events I have been invited to participate in because of folks reading the book.
(No, as far as I know, no one slept when I spoke.)
One: Several weeks back I spoke at the NARTH (National Association of Research and Therapy of Homosexuality) conference in Phoenix with David Pickup a therapist in California that has been enthusiastically recommending the book. Here’s NARTH’s website: http://narth.com/ It’s a good bunch of folks who are largely about the freedom of choice in therapy. Some bullet points I got from being a part of their event were:
• Be kind with those who disagree with you.
• When working with others that have done emotional work and experiential weekends, don’t be surprised if your asked: “What’s your animal name?”
• When you speak feel free to “wing it” and tell good stories that fit the topic.
Two: The other event I just have come back from this weekend in Philly is a discussion with 12 of us that approach the topic of homosexuality and our Christian faith from different perspectives. This was put together by Evangelicals for Social Action (they produce the wonderful magazine PRISM). http://www.evangelicalsforsocialaction.org/
The gathering I participated in was called “Oriented to Love” and was run by their phenomenal editor Kristyn, our discussion was deep and thoughtful. Here are some thoughts I left our gathering with:
Community and conversation can take interesting forms.
• To love someone is to be willing to walk with them in their pain.
• Sexuality and specifically Homosexuality is COMPLICATED. It is not something that can be addressed or engaged with shallow comments and actions.
• No one get’s to choose who they will fall in love with. Whether by family of origin issues, proclivities or the like, wanting to be connected relationally to another person is not something you largely get to choose. It is what it is. In my opinion we can only choose how we will do that, and what we will determine is the most loving and Christ-like response in walking with one another in love.
• Wise and sensitive folks will choose to self identify as “gay” or other such titles simply so they have a place; largely so they can finally belong to a community and not feel alone.
• Sex is sacred and has been degraded in our culture to a profound degree.
• We need community PROFOUNDLY in order to survive and succeed as human beings.
Blessings to you all – hope you are well.
Tim Timmerman's Blog 
Great points here, Tim. I still need to get this book!