Resources

Here you’ll find a list of progressive communities of faith in the Ozarks that (1) are fully open and affirming of LGBTQIA+ individuals, (2) committed to the work of anti-racism and social justice, and (3) fully support women as pastors and leaders. I also included some of my favorite books on progressive Christianity, as well as books and articles that focus on LGBTQIA+ equality from a faith-based perspective. This list is always growing; if you have some good suggestions please use the contact page to pass them on!

[What does it mean for churches to be fully open & affirming of LGBTQIA+ people and how is that different from churches that simply say “All are welcome”?]

Other helpful directories for finding affirming churches near you:

• Ozarks Inclusion Project (local)
• Church Clarity (national)

1. Open & Affirming Congregations in the Ozarks

• Brentwood Christian Church
• Christ Episcopal Church
• The Connecting Grounds
• Ekklesia Campus Ministry at MSU
• First Unitarian Universalist Church
• Gibson Chapel Presbyterian Church
• National Avenue Christian Church
• South Street Christian Church
• St. John’s Episcopal Church
• Trinity Presbyterian Church
• Unity of Springfield
• The Venues
• Westminster Presbyterian Church

2. On Progressive Christianity

• Healing Spiritual Wounds: Reconnecting with a Loving God After Experiencing a Hurtful Church, by Carol Howard Merritt
• I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness, by Austin Channing Brown
• Stand Your Ground: Black Bodies and the Justice of God, by Kelly Brown Douglas
• Inspired, by Rachel Held Evans
• Faith Unraveled: How a Girl Who Knew All of the Answers Learned to Ask Questions, by Rachel Held Evans
• Faith After Doubt, by Brian McLaren
• Jesus & John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation, by Kristin Kobes Du Mez
• What Would Jesus Deconstruct?, by John Caputo
• Love Beyond Belief, by Thandeka
• Pastrix: The Cranky, Beautiful Faith of a Sinner and Saint, by Nadia Bolz-Weber
• Not Alone: Reflections on Faith and Depression (A 40 Day Devotional), by Monica Coleman
• Cosmopolitan Theology, by Namsoon Kang
• The Heart of Christianity, by Marcus Borg
• Reading the Bible Again for the First Time: Taking the Bible Seriously But Not Literally, by Marcus Borg
• The Cross and the Lynching Tree, by James Cone

3. On LGBTQIA+ Equality and Affirmation

• Justice Calls: Sermons of Welcome & Affirmation, edited by Phil Snider
• FAQs about Jesus, the Bible, and LGBTQ+ people, a brief online guide by Susan Russell
• Changing Our Mind, by David Gushee
• God and the Gay Christian: The Biblical Case in Support of Same-Sex Relationships, by Matthew Vines
• Outside the Lines: How Embracing Queerness Will Transform Your Faith, by Mihee Kim-Kort
• Queer Theology: Beyond Apologetics, by Linn Marie Tonstad
• Torn: Rescuing the Bible from the Gays vs. Christians Debate, by Justin Lee
• Transforming: The Bible and the Lives of Transgender Christians, by Austen Hartke
• Online Resources from the Disciples LGBTQ+ Alliance