Oriented to Faith: Transforming the Conflict Over Gay Relationships

Rather than embracing the conflict around gay relationships as an opportunity for the church to talk honestly about human sexuality Christians continue to hurt one another with the same tired arguments that divide us along predictable political battle lines. If the world is to know that we are Christians by our love the church needs to discover better ways to live out the deep unity we share in Christ as we engage with politics and our world. In Oriented to Faith Tim Otto tells the story of his struggle with being gay and what that taught him about the gospel. With an authentic and compelling personal voice Tim invites us to explore how God is at work in the world even amidst the most difficult circumstances redeeming and transforming the church through this difficult debate. With gentle wisdom and compassionate insight Tim invites all followers of Jesus to consider how we might work with God through these tensions so that all can be transformed by Gods good news in and through Christ. Tim Otto is the rare voice in the churchs conversation about human sexuality who gives me hope that despite all the pain and confusion we who bear with one another may learn what it means to be Christian. --Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove author of Strangers at My Door Tim Otto brings a unique wise and honest perspective to the churchs polarized debate on homosexuality. His strong love for the church and concern for its unity underlie this challenge to stay connected with Christians holding varying convictions on how best to love LGBTQ sisters and brothers. Tim has been a valued consultant in our fellowships journey to hear one another well as we work from different perspectives on this divisive issue. --Sally Schreiner Youngquist community leader of Reba Place Fellowship Evanston IL Current debates about sexuality and religion are tearing communities of faith apart. Tim Otto has wrestled with the issues at stake both theologically and personally over many decades. He has something surprising hopeful and challenging to say to folks on all sides. Oriented to Faith invites us into a fuller imagination of what it might mean to be the beloved community. Throughout this book Tim is a gentle and masterful host for the honest and tender conversations that families and churches must have today. --Mark Scandrette author of Practicing the Way of Jesus Tim Otto is a pastor at the Church of the Sojourners a live-together Christian community in San Francisco. He holds a Masters of Theological Studies from Duke Divinity School and a BS in Nursing from the University of San Francisco. Tim worked on the first AIDS ward in the United States as a registered nurse for fourteen years. He is coauthor of Inhabiting the Church: Biblical Wisdom for a New Monasticism.