Who is this church for? This is the pivotal question Emily and her Launch Team begin to tackle. Brenna shares her own journey, one which highlights the reality of faith transitions, family dynamics, and the challenges faced by parents of LGBTQ children within the church.

Using each of their stories as a foundation, the team generates a list of “personas” — the disenfranchised evangelicals, the questioning—and often traumatized—Christians, and the LGBTQ community were at the forefront. They grapple with the idea of cultivating a church that doesn't just embrace its members but insists on respecting individual experiences and perspectives.

Ultimately, this episode serves as a powerful reminder that the task ahead is not just about creating a church—it’s about establishing a community that acknowledges the fullness of human experience, including trauma and joy. The Team must strive to shape an environment for those seeking solace after leaving spaces that felt more like cages than sanctuaries.

Gender Creative Child book by Diane Ehrensaft

Music:

Kim Taylor: Like a Woman Can

Blue Dot Sessions: Two in the Back, Symphony in G Minor, Stephi, Town Market, Skyway