Staci Frenes

Sincere question for ministry leaders: Do you know who the LGBTQ+ youth and their families are in your church? (Hint: statistically, they’re there and likely feel isolated/shunned and may be in crisis.) How are you making sure they feel supported and safe?

I’ve lived in the shadow of Mt Diablo for 25+ years and finally hiked it today. Wanted to turn back halfway up — the inclines were TOUGH — but as with most things, as Miley says, it’s worth the climb.

Asked by a Christian mom of an LGBTQ child why I was affirming, I said I believe God loves my daughter and wants her to flourish in all ways possible, including loving and being loved. Her reply: My problem with that is you’re assuming God wants us to flourish. *Sigh*

@theB4NP @Keen_KR Her book “Scripture, Ethics. and the Possibility for Same-Sex Relationships” is incredibly insightful and biblically grounded.

what scholars/theologians/academics are you following to learn about LGBTQIA+ and the church?

We grieved the many, many years we couldn’t fathom that our true origin story is one of belovedness.

“It starts with belovedness,” my friend and I said simultaneously, reminiscing about beliefs we were raised on in our evangelical communities. For reasons we understand better now but couldn’t back then, we both managed to internalize “God so hated my sin” not “God so loved me.”

“I'm a pilgrim, still 'in recovery' from a bad church upbringing, searching for the possibility of a faith rooted in grace instead of fear.” (Philip Yancey)

I wish I had read this before my daughter came out as gay. Thank you, @Keen_KR

“When trans kids have the support of just one adult in their life, their risk factors (for depression, isolation, suicidal ideation, etc.) plummet significantly. One parent, one teacher or counselor who says: I see you and you’re beautiful.” podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fre…

Proud mama tweet: my girl Abby is in the final days of a @Kickstarter campaign and she’s almost there! Pre-order or donate to her new EP here (you’ll be glad you did - it’s so good!) kck.st/3N0vTai

@msmeby Why thank you! 😂

@stacifrenes Oooh it's so good. My favorite of yours.

I prompted ChatGPT to write a bio for me and it listed one of my "critically-acclaimed" albums, as "Be Still." Which, to my knowledge, I've never recorded. Maybe I did it it in my sleep?

Feeling hopeful after spending the weekend with a group of Christian parents who want to better love and understand their LGBTQ+ children. Thank you @centerpeaceinc for creating spaces for these necessary and beautiful conversations.

@chrisaltrock Likewise, my friend!

@stacifrenes Thank you so much for speaking up!

When I think of the friends who have become silent as I’ve become more vocal in support of LGBTQ+ folks, I grieve those losses deeply. But in the empty spaces those friendships leave behind, I’m making room — for people I have long misunderstood or even rejected.

The loss of friends in my Christian community is real and it hurts. But it’s bittersweet. The sweetness is in discovering that the family of God is bigger than I ever imagined, that there’s enough grace for all of us. And, as Rilke says: I live my life in ever widening circles.

I’m making room for their stories to challenge and stretch my beliefs about God and love and what it means to be human. Making room for the kind of radical grace Jesus practiced: healing, restoring, and welcoming those marginalized by the religious majority.

I wrote about my first #Pride experience for @theB4NP - an evangelical mom’s perspective on “Rainbows, Gold Lamé, and Jesus” thebiblefornormalpeople.com/rainbows_gold-…

“For some reason, the most vocal Christians among us never mention the Beatitudes (Matthew 5). But, often with tears in their eyes, they demand that the Ten Commandments be posted in public buildings. And of course, that's Moses, not Jesus. I haven't heard one of them demand that the Sermon on the Mount, the Beatitudes, be posted anywhere. "Blessed are the merciful" in a courtroom? "Blessed are the peacemakers" in the Pentagon? Give me a break!” ~ Kurt Vonnegut

My mom & dad would’ve gone to this in a heartbeat when I 1st came out to them. A wkend retreat for Christian #parentsoflgbtqchildren who are reconciling faith & sexuality. AND @stacifrenes sharing her own journey w/an #LGBTQ child. Franklin, TN June 9-11 centerpeace.net/peaceprints-re…

“To pray, that is, to listen to the voice of the one who calls us the “beloved,” is to learn that that voice excludes no one.” Henri Nouwen