Queer Theology

For this episode, we have a special guest! Brian interviews Kevin Garcia (they/them) about their new book “What Makes You Bloom?” They discuss Kevin’s background, their concept of God, and the importance of finding wonder in nature. They also explore Kevin’s Christian upbringing and their journey to freedom through deconstruction. Kevin shares the challenges of leaving the church and why they ultimately stopped believing in “staying to create change.” They discuss the heartbreak of leaving and the importance of spiritual practice. Kevin shares surprises they encountered while writing the book and who it is for, and emphasizes the power of learning and doing in spiritual growth.   Takeaways Exploring the concept of God and finding wonder in nature are important aspects of spirituality. Deconstruction is a challenging but necessary process for many individuals on their spiritual journey. Staying in church can be a way to create change and support the LGBTQ+ community. Slowing down and taking time to soak in spiritual teachings can lead to a more powerful experience. The book ‘What Makes You Bloom?’ is for those seeking to connect with something greater than themselves and offers practical activities for spiritual growth.   Chapters (03:19) Exploring the Concept of God (06:00) Finding Wonder in Nature (08:03) Christian Upbringing and Journey to Freedom (09:44) The Process of Deconstruction (13:05) The Challenges of Leaving the Church (14:53) Staying in Church to Create Change (16:58) The Heartbreak of Leaving (21:58) The Importance of ‘What Makes You Bloom?’ (22:38) Flirting with Spiritual, Not Religious (31:10) The Role of Practice in Spirituality (34:06) The Importance of Slowing Down (40:45) Surprises While Writing ‘What Makes You Bloom?’ (42:45) Who is the Book For? (46:35) The Power of Learning and Doing (48:21) Conclusion and Where to Find the Book   Resources: Pre-Order What Makes You Bloom? By Kevin Garcia and get more information about them at their website.  Follow Kevin Garcia on Social: IG @thekevingarcia, Twitter @theKevinGarcia If you want to support the Patreon and help keep the podcast up and running, you can learn more and pledge your support at patreon.com/queertheology. Want to have your question featured on an episode? Call or text us at (240)200-0922 EPISODE TRANSCRIPT The post What Makes You Bloom with Kevin Garcia appeared first on Queer Theology.

In this episode, we’re exploring the topic of desire and going beyond sexual desire to encompass desire in all its various forms. We discuss the negative messages and fear surrounding desire, in both conservative and progressive religious circles and how that also reverberates into other areas of our lives. We emphasize the importance of reconnecting with and honoring one’s desires, as well as the role of intuition in guiding desires. We also explore the intersection of spirituality and desire, highlighting the connection between desire and the essence of creation. We also give you a heads up about our new course, Soulful Sexuality: Cultivating an Embodied Spirituality for all Genders and Sexualities.  Takeaways Desire is often misunderstood and stigmatized, both in conservative and progressive religious circles. Reconnecting with and honoring one’s desires is essential for personal growth and well-being. Desire is not inherently bad or selfish; it can be a source of joy, fulfillment, and connection. Exploring and embracing desire can deepen one’s spirituality and understanding of the divine.   Episode Highlights: (01:17) Fear and disconnection from desire – a common challenge in self-discovery. (03:13) Negative messages about desire can hinder personal growth and fulfillment. (04:12) Cutting off intuition may obstruct the natural flow of one’s desires. (05:32) Personal messaging about desire plays a crucial role in shaping our perceptions. (08:07) Progressive circles and desire – exploring how societal influences impact our desires. (10:01) The ongoing process of discovering desire is a lifelong journey. (12:23) Starting small is an effective approach to tune into your desires. (13:13) Being gentle with yourself is essential in navigating the complexities of desire. (15:18) Journaling serves as a valuable practice for understanding and expressing desires. (18:31) Saying yes and no to desire is a nuanced aspect of personal growth. (21:59) Spirituality and desire are interconnected in the exploration of one’s inner self. (25:50) Desire as the essence of creation – a profound perspective on the nature of desires. (28:31) Reframing the story of desire can empower individuals to embrace their true selves. (32:25) Desire and sexuality in Christianity – a complex intersection worth exploring. (34:17) Upcoming course: Soulful Sexuality promises to delve into the depth of desire. (35:04) Deepening spirituality through desire offers a holistic approach to personal development.   Resources: Spiritual Study Hall  Set up your account on our new resource platform: https://my.queertheology.com/home   Join the community at Sanctuary Collective.  If you want to support the Patreon and help keep the podcast up and running, you can learn more and pledge your support at patreon.com/queertheology. Want to have your question featured on an episode? Call or text us at (240)200-0922 EPISODE TRANSCRIPT The post Holy Desire appeared first on Queer Theology.

We’re sharing our favorite aspects of queer and trans faith and spiritual practices. We talk about how we’ve developed our own spiritual practices over the years, really leaning into what feels best for us and how they align with our values. The important part of creating spiritual practices is that they must be in line with your values! And sometimes finding spiritual practices means going beyond the traditional notions of what those ought to look like. We also discuss the significance of planning and setting goals, starting small and building over time, and connecting to past and future generations. Shay shares his love for journaling as a spiritual practice, while Brian discusses the power of repeating prayers and wearing physical reminders of spirituality. We invite y’all to reflect on your intentions for queer faith in the new year!   Takeaways Spiritual practices can go beyond traditional notions and encompass living in line with one’s values and engaging in intentional actions. Setting goals and planning can help individuals be more intentional with their time and live into their values. Starting small and building over time is a more sustainable approach to new spiritual practices. Connecting to past and future generations can provide a sense of continuity and inspiration in one’s spiritual journey. Journaling and reflective practices can be powerful tools for self-reflection and envisioning the future. Queerness, transness, and Christianity can intersect and inform one’s spiritual practices and understanding of faith. Reflecting on intentions for queer faith in the new year can help individuals set meaningful goals and engage in transformative practices.   Chapters (1:00) Reflection on the past year (1:28) Rituals and intentions for the New Year (8:00) Living in line with values and expanding the definition of spiritual practices (12:03) Planning and setting goals (15:03) Starting small and building over time (17:36) Connecting to past and future generations (26:55) Journaling and reflective practices (29:15) Queerness, transness, and Christianity (31:10) Inviting queer faith in the New Year   Resources: Spiritual Study Hall  Set up your account on our new resource platform: https://my.queertheology.com/home   Join the community at Sanctuary Collective.  If you want to support the Patreon and help keep the podcast up and running, you can learn more and pledge your support at patreon.com/queertheology. Want to have your question featured on an episode? Call or text us at (240)200-0922     EPISODE TRANSCRIPT The post Queer Spiritual Ritual appeared first on Queer Theology.

We’re queering Christmas for this episode of the podcast! First, we’re gonna explore the queer and political aspects of Christmas by examining the gospel of Luke and Matthew from the Bible. Then we discuss the meaning of Christmas and the birth of Jesus, emphasizing the radical and political nature of the story. Finally, we really dive into the birth narratives in both of these books of Luke and Matthew, highlighting the differences and the theological and political messages conveyed in each. This conversation explores the significance of the shepherds and the Magi, as well as the political implications of the angel’s message. We also get into the personal and pastoral relevance of Christmas for queer and trans individuals, emphasizing the importance of chosen family and the call to challenge unjust structures in society.   Takeaways Christmas has a radical and political nature that is often overlooked in the consumer-driven culture. The birth narratives in the books of Luke and Matthew offer different perspectives and emphasize different theological and political messages. The shepherds and the Magi represent marginalized and powerful individuals, respectively, who recognize the significance of Jesus’ birth. Christmas holds personal and pastoral significance for queer and trans individuals, providing an opportunity to reimagine traditions and challenge unjust structures. Chapters (0:00) Introduction and Meaning of Christmas (5:54) A few points about the two scriptures that need to be said (11:41) Diving into Scripture: Luke (23:26) Diving into Scripture: Matthew (25:20) Comparing the Birth Stories (32:33) The Radical Nature of Christmas (35:44) Personal and Pastoral Significance of Christmas (38:31) Outro   Resources: Set up your account on our new resource platform: https://my.queertheology.com/home   Join Spiritual Study Hall to access Reclaim the Bible  Join the community at Sanctuary Collective.  If you want to support the Patreon and help keep the podcast up and running, you can learn more and pledge your support at patreon.com/queertheology. Want to have your question featured on an episode? Call or text us at (240)200-0922 The post Queering Christmas appeared first on Queer Theology.

In this episode, we discuss the challenges and stress that can come with the holiday season, particularly for queer and trans individuals. We share personal stories of past stressful holidays and how we’ve learned to navigate and set boundaries with our families. We emphasize the importance of having a plan and a support system in place, as well as the need to do the inner work to recognize one’s worthiness and the right to set boundaries. We share the outline of the four steps of Soul Safe, which include identifying what’s at stake, doing the inner work, setting boundaries, and creating a soul-safe plan. But we also want to highlight the importance of flexibility and the ability to change boundaries over time.   Takeaways Holidays can be particularly stressful for queer and trans individuals due to family dynamics, pressure to be happy, and the amplification of past traumas. Having a plan and a support system in place is crucial for navigating stressful holiday situations. Setting boundaries is essential for self-care and maintaining emotional well-being during the holidays. Boundaries can change over time, and it is important to prioritize one’s own health and wholeness.   Chapters (1:10) Sharing stressful holiday stories (03:31) The importance of having a plan and support system (08:24) Finding support outside of family (10:31) The amplification of family dynamics during holidays (16:10) The challenges of setting boundaries (19:11) The four steps of soul safe (32:54) The importance of flexibility and changing boundaries Resources: Set up your account on our new resource platform: https://my.queertheology.com/home Unaffirming Friends and Family resource: https://my.queertheology.com/checkout/unaffirming-friends-and-family  Join the community at Sanctuary Collective.  Discuss this episode in Circle: https://my.queertheology.com/c/podcast/ If you want to support the Patreon and help keep the podcast up and running, you can learn more and pledge your support at patreon.com/queertheology. Want to have your question featured on an episode? Call or text us at (240)200-0922 EPISODE TRANSCRIPT The post Help For When the Holidays Suck appeared first on Queer Theology.

We both are huge believers in being life-long learners and not just for the benefit of expanding knowledge. We’ve found continued learning, curiosity, and asking questions has had a positive impact on our spiritual lives as well. One thing that really supports learning is being in community with others who are wrestling with and asking similar questions. So we invite you to join us! We’ve got a new and exciting way to connect with community and resources. And as you think about what role learning has played in your life, how can you take it a step further? In this episode, we also answer a listener’s question about dealing with unaffirming family and faith.  Resources: Set up your account on our new resource platform: https://my.queertheology.com/home Unaffirming Friends and Family resource: https://my.queertheology.com/checkout/unaffirming-friends-and-family  Join the community at Sanctuary Collective.    If you want to support the Patreon and help keep the podcast up and running, you can learn more and pledge your support at patreon.com/queertheology.   Want to have your question featured on an episode? Call or text us at (240)200-0922 EPISODE TRANSCRIPT The post Expanding Your Idea of What’s Possible appeared first on Queer Theology.

Brian discusses the importance of self-care and community care. They explore self-care practices and rituals, emphasizing the interconnectedness of individuals. The power of rituals and spiritual practices in connecting individuals to themselves, others, and a higher power is explored. The chapter highlights the importance of building connections with neighbors and having deep friendships. Being intentional in life, setting goals, and reflecting on core values are discussed.

Father Shay shares a sermon based on Matthew 21:33-46 for this episode. Has there ever been a time someone told you the truth about yourself that hurt you or you didn’t want to hear? Sometimes the truth can hurt or be hard to hear but we must learn to listen to the truth-tellers.    Join the community at Sanctuary Collective.    If you want to support the Patreon and help keep the podcast up and running, you can learn more and pledge your support at patreon.com/queertheology. Want to have your question featured on an episode? Call or text us at (240)200-0922 EPISODE TRANSCRIPT The post Listening to the Truthtellers appeared first on Queer Theology.

Worship music might be killing your soul, but attending an unaffirming church, reading material that is unaffirming, and hate-following accounts that are actively harmful against the LGBTQ community is killing your soul too! People often tell us that it’s hard to leave behind worship music and that it helps them feel connected to God, but we’re here to tell you that you kinda have to. Seriously, you’ll feel so much better and might even build some really life giving spiritual practices in the meantime.   We also answer a listener question: if the Bible can be wrong, does that mean that God can make mistakes too?   Resources: Workshop: Digging the Details Online Course: Journey Into the Bible Book recommendations: https://bookshop.org/shop/queertheology    Want to have your question featured on an episode? Call or text us at (240)200-0922   Join the community at Sanctuary Collective.    If you want to support the Patreon and help keep the podcast up and running, you can learn more and pledge your support at patreon.com/queertheology.   EPISODE TRANSCRIPT The post Worship Music Is Killing Your Soul appeared first on Queer Theology.

One of the things that comes up the most often in our work with people is that they have this feeling of loneliness, a feeling of not being connected to others or able to find a community. We very strongly feel that it’s important to be connected to a community, but what happens when you outgrow a community before finding a new one? We’re dedicating this episode to talking about making new friends and the importance of friendship and spiritual supporters! We got some practical tips for finding friends, deepening your friendships, and avoiding a few pitfalls in the process.    Join the community at Sanctuary Collective.    If you want to support the Patreon and help keep the podcast up and running, you can learn more and pledge your support at patreon.com/queertheology. EPISODE TRANSCRIPT The post Find Your People (And Change Your Life) appeared first on Queer Theology.