Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Home
Progressive Christian
I Must Speak

I Must Speak

Last updated on: November 12, 2013 at 9:30 am by Susan Cottrell

I Must Speak 2013-11-12T09:30:34-05:00 Susan Cottrell

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

200449807-001

In the face of great rejection from many in the church and former friends, and with the incredible love & encouragement of many more in the church and true friends, we have made a decision: We are making this our full-time ministry and have established FreedHearts as a nonprofit charitable organization.

I cannot be silent anymore. Even if my voice shakes, I am going for it. I must speak.

I have been writing this blog, counseling, writing a book for parents, speaking — it has become full-time but there is still so much more to do. The time is now and we have begun to raise support to continue this work and enable us to do all that is ahead. I need your help and support. Will you join me?

When my daughter came out to me, I prayed it was not true, that God would change her. Instead, he changed me! God generously showed me the flaw in our understanding about it and helped me let go of my expectations of her and of her future. Christian parents often find themselves in a crisis of faith when their LGBTQ comes out. They see their faith in God in conflict with unconditionally embracing their child. It’s not. My heart is to come alongside parents to show that their faith in God empowers them to love, accept and affirm their child.

Many Christian parents believe they have to choose between their faith versus accepting their LGBTQ child. This dichotomy is false and leads to much spiritual harm. There is a better way.

We help Christian parents love their LGBTQ children without sacrificing their faith.

And our hearts break for the unloving, unlovable way the non-affirming church has treated the LGBTQ community. They have pushed them away from the Jesus they claim to represent. Many have given up ever being able to reconcile their hearts with God. Grace, compassion and unconditional love have been replaced with judgment and a focus on behavior. FreedHearts is a bridge between the truth of Jesus Christ, the Church, and the gay community.

We will equip and support Christian parents of LGBTQ children. We will encourage and fortify LGBTQ Christians and their allies. We will resource churches to embody a Christ-like response to the LGBTQ community.

It is going to be a wonderful journey and it would be such a blessing not have to take it alone.

Will you join me?

If you share our hearts, please click here to find out more.

Thank you so much.

– Susan

christian parents gay child

christian parents of gay children

christians with gay children

gay christian charity

gay christian community

gay kids

help my child is gay

homosexuality

homosexuality and sin

homosexuality and the bible

homosexuality and the church

how to respond to a gay child

parent of a gay child

parents of gay children

parents of gay kids

Susan Cottrell

to christian parents of gay children

what do you do when your son is gay

what to do if your son is gay

what to do when your son is gay

when your family rejects you

Previous Post

November 11, 2013

Speak the Truth, Even if Your Voice Shakes

Next Post

November 14, 2013 Chased Out of Church

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Church & Religion Dear Susan Family Support Gay Weddings & Marriage GCN Conference Jesus Blog LGBTQ Support Parenting Personal Stories Suicide The Real Jesus Theology Transgender Uncategorized X Archived Posts

Select a Month August 2026 July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 February 2026 January 2026 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 January 2025 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 June 2022 December 2021 May 2021 February 2021 November 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 May 2019 March 2019 January 2019 November 2018 March 2018 January 2018 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What does the Bible say about pride?

Select your answer to see how you score.

It goes before a fall It's ignored Pride is the best It's always good

Support this
Column