To the point of idolatry
by Sarah Sedgwick on November 14th, 2023
Do you struggle with emotional dependency – OK let’s spell that out – do you have a relationship / friendship with someone who you feel you could not exist or function without? Is this person central to your life to the point maybe of idolatry?If this describes you, or simply makes you stop and think for a moment about some of the relationships you are in, you may be subject to a form of addictio... Read More
Some of us choose to reject the world’s label
by Sarah Sedgwick on October 25th, 2023
In the UK there is still a lot of unrest around the proposed legislation for banning conversion therapy. The aim of those proposing this ban is “to improve the lives of LGBT people.”I am all for lives being improved and am against any form of psychological or physical abuse against anyone. I am also very mindful that not all LGBT people are the same, there are many different views, experiences a... Read More
If my people will humble themselves
by Sarah Sedgwick on October 4th, 2023
The story of Nehemiah is one that has many lessons for us. As Nehemiah heard of the devastation back home, the destruction of the city and the danger those who survived the exile were in, he wept, he fasted, and he sought God, confessing the sins of the nation and reminding God of the covenant He had made with Moses.When reading this yesterday I thought about the devastation we face in the 21st c... Read More
Be in the conversation
by Sarah Sedgwick on September 12th, 2023
Sometimes when you write, you have no idea if the person you are directing your thoughts at will ever read them. But, when God puts thoughts on your heart, I believe it is well worth recording them, because he has a great way of directing people to the right place at the right time. Even within this Ministry, we have had people contact us for support, who cannot even tell us how they stumbled ac... Read More
Living with an identity you can't walk in
by Sarah Sedgwick on August 31st, 2023
Something has been bothering me for a little while now, and I feel compelled to put some thoughts on paper. You may have heard of side A and side B Christians, terms commonly used to describe the two main approaches to Christian sexuality. Side A promoting the idea that you can be an openly gay Christian, and side B teaching a more traditional biblical sexual ethic, of being same-sex attracted b... Read More
An Uncommon Love
by Sarah Sedgwick on August 24th, 2023
It has been our privilege over the past few weeks to lead two Bible studies from Mary Comm’s book, “Uncommon Love, a Bible study for parents of kids with same-sex attraction.” Whilst both groups had a different dynamic, it was so encouraging to see the growth and change in the parents who have attended. The study is a comprehensive evaluation of scripture, and how it speaks into the way we love ... Read More
TBGL groups, don't take our word for it
by Sarah Sedgwick on August 9th, 2023
What is TBGL and why should I join?TBGL groups meet regularly to study the Bible together, to share testimony of how God is working in our lives, to wrestle over some difficult topics, and to pray for each other, encouraging each other through the ups and downs of life. The one thing that we all have in common is that we have walked through sexual brokenness or are close friends or family members... Read More
Overcoming sexual sin
by Guest Blogger on July 31st, 2023
I struggled for many years with sexual sin. It was my “go to” way for comforting myself each time I struggled with emotional pain. At times it was constantly a problem, other times I could go for several months without it being an issue, but as soon as something hurt emotionally it would begin again.When some people realise they are struggling with sexual sin they have prayer and are delivered imm... Read More
And you will be hated by all for my name's sake
by Sarah Sedgwick on July 9th, 2023
This week a friend shared how she has been told by a friend of 20+ years that they can no longer be friends because of her Christian beliefs on homosexual behaviour. To get it clear, my friend has simply responded to a request from her friend to send verses from the Bible which said that homosexual behaviour is sinful. Having shared those verses (as requested) she now finds herself ostracised, d... Read More
And those who walk in pride he is able to humble
by Sarah Sedgwick on June 8th, 2023
Lessons from DanielFor those unfamiliar with Daniel, it’s a great book and well worth a read as it speaks deeply into identity in a broken and unfamiliar world. Chapter 4 tells of the dream of the King, Nebuchadnezzar. This dream shows him as a mighty tree, a tree which provided food and shelter for its people. This tree was visible to the ends of the earth, which speaks of the magnitude of the ... Read More
Where does SSA come from?
by Sarah Sedgwick on May 25th, 2023
In his book “Gay Children, Straight Parents: A Plan for Family Healing,” author Richard Cohen lays out his suggestion that there are 10 factors we can look at which may contribute to children developing same sex attraction. Looking at these factors myself, I can also see how some of them may also be factors that are at play when previously heterosexual adults find themselves attracted to the same... Read More
Single minded
by Sarah Sedgwick on May 18th, 2023
As a pastor I’m sure you have a great passion for making sure all who attend your church receive great support and are made to feel welcome. Often (but not always) pastors are married and are relate extremely well to other married couples in their church. But the question is, how well do you relate to those who fall outside of that box? How switched on are you to the challenges of that single m... Read More
Where do I fit in?
by Sarah Sedgwick on May 15th, 2023
It never fails to sadden me when people who contact the ministry tell me that they are struggling to find a church where they feel welcome and safe to speak of their same sex attraction, whether current or historic. The tendency seems to be that they either find a church that has become inclusive, to the point of celebration of same sex relationships. Or, they find a church where they feel judge... Read More
The problem with labels
by Sarah Sedgwick on April 26th, 2023
This world increasingly encourages us to wear labels, whether it’s our gender, sexuality, relationship status, career or something else. Psychologists would say that we put ourselves in boxes, trying to define who we are. When you introduce yourself to someone, how do you describe yourself? This is an eye opener as to where you see your worth or how you view yourself within society.One label th... Read More
Are you part of the problem?
by Sarah Sedgwick on April 10th, 2023
Psalm 18:16-19He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the Lord was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.Oh that the church would take heed of these verses when it comes to... Read More
Who is your highest authority?
by Sarah Sedgwick on April 3rd, 2023
Acts 5:29 (New Living Translation) tells us that when Peter and the apostles were summoned to the High Priest to answer why they had continued to teach in the name of Jesus, despite being banned, they replied, “We must obey God rather than any human authority.As I read today of the discussions within the Scottish parliament, and recognising that similar conversations are taking place in Wales and ... Read More
What if my teenager comes out as gay?
by Sarah Sedgwick on March 30th, 2023
If your teenager comes out as gay or has already come out as gay then you are not alone in the Christian community, there are many other families who walk the path with you. We have taken some of the advice given on an online Christian peer support group, some from parents who have recently found out their son or daughter is gay, and some from parents who have been dealing with this for many years... Read More
Our default as humans is hell
by Sarah Sedgwick on March 13th, 2023
It’s always a privilege to be asked to speak about my faith and personal testimony, it’s usually the Q & A session that I find the most fun as I get a chance to really hear what’s on people’s hearts. In a couple of weeks I am speaking to a youth group and have been furnished with their questions in advance. One question that popped out of the page to me was this, “Will LGBTQ people go to hell?We... Read More
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