Why I Stay

Greg Johnson is the lead pastor at Memorial Presbyterian Church in St. Louis, Missouri and is the only senior pastor in his entire denomination who is publicly celibate and same-sex attracted. Though Greg grew up in an atheist family, that didn't spare him from the shame and embarrassment that so many LGBTQ+ people experience, especially in their youth. Dr. Johnson always had a close community of friends who knew of his wrestling and experiences with his sexual orientation, but it was not public information until he published an article with Christianity Today in 2019. Although the members of his church welcomed and accepted him after he started telling his story, part of the fallout of that public coming-out is that Pastor Greg has been on trial for his sexuality within his denomination (Presbyterian Church of America).

Dr. Johnson has recently released a book about the conversion therapy movement and some of the lessons we can draw from its failure. The book is "Still Time to Care" and you can pick up anywhere books are sold.

You can follow Greg Johnson on Twitter.

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Brain Zahnd is the founding pastor of Word of Life Church in Saint Joseph, Missouri and an author of multiple books. In this interview, Brian talked with us about his Christian journey so far, from finding faith in the Jesus Movement to his involvement in the Charismatic movement to the founding of Word of Life Church and then eventually to the radical and very public renovation of his faith in his 40s (before it was cool). In that process, he was accused of heresy and lost many members of his church. But he continues to press on, now a leading voice for people who cannot find a home in conservative evangelicalism or within liberal mainline communities. He's written several books including Water to Wine and Sinners in the Hand of a Loving God. 

His latest release is When Everything's on Fire: Faith Forged from the Ashes. If you or someone you know is struggling with their faith, then consider this book. It focuses on renovating faith in light of its historical and intellectual richness. 

You can learn more about Brian, his books, and find his blog on his website. You can also Follow Brian on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to find consistent encouragement in your life.

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Greg Coles is an author, speaker, and worship leader. His latest book is called "No Longer Strangers: Finding Belonging in a World of Alienation."

Check out Greg's website for more of his books and speaking schedule.

Greg grew up in the Philippines as the youngest son of missionaries. Whenever his youth group talked about sex and purity, Greg didn't understand why everyone seemed to struggle with lust when it was so easy for him. Then he realized he had it easy because he was not attracted to girls. He was gay.

Greg's experiences in evangelical church have been less severe than other people he knows, but his story is still full of trauma and heart break. Despite so many people judging Greg and being cruel once they discovered his sexuality, he still serves in his local church and helps others find their community within its walls.

Follow Greg on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

If you're enjoying this series, consider rating and reviewing Why I Stay on your podcast app of choice.

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Andy Mineo is a multi-talented hip hop artist, producer, and director. He's been making music since he was a teenager, and has been signed with Reach Records since 2011.

His latest release is "Never Land II," and you can buy it or stream it anywhere music is sold.

Andy grew up praying for his dad to come back into his life, but it never happened. He's learned over the years that while his dad didn't show up in meaningful ways, God provided men who taught and invested in Andy.

He started producing his own hip hop music while he was still in high school, honing his craft before signing to Reach Records, the label founded by CHH legend Lecrae. Andy's journey to and through Christianity has been full of mountains and valleys while he has wrestled with Christian culture and some of the ways it comes up short.

Visit Andy Mineo's website for links to his albums and books. 

If you're enjoying this series, consider rating and reviewing Why I Stay on your podcast app of choice.

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Dan Stringer is a pastor, author, and campus minister in Honolulu, Hawaii. 

You can get your own copy of "Struggling with Evangelicalism: Why I Want to Leave and What it Takes to Stay" anywhere books are sold.

Dan is a missionary kid who never lived in the continental US until he went to Wheaton College. He realized quickly that, while he had picked up a lot of American culture in his MK schools, he still had a lot to learn about American Evangelicalism. Dan has spent his years since then serving the Church, usually bi-vocationally, but that doesn't mean he's comfortable with it all.

There really are days when he wants it all to go away and start with a new seed.

His unique experiences of growing up in multiple cultures and being bi-racial has given him a wise and patient perspective on the good and bad parts of Evangelicalism. Rather than throwing the baby out with the bath water, he has sought to use his voice and position to call for some changes that will make Evangelicalism a better home for people of all stripes.

Learn more about Dan and his book on his website, DanStringer.net
Find him on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

If you're enjoying this series, consider rating and reviewing Why I Stay on your podcast app of choice.

Also, consider checking out the other podcast offerings from Patheos here.

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Jennifer Knapp is a singer/songwriter, activist, author, and speaker. 

Learn more Jennifer on her website.

Most people say Jennifer grew up in a non-religious home, but she disagrees. While she didn't consider herself an Evangelical until she was in college, she had a lot of exposure to religion, both its good and bad. It wasn't long after Jennifer found faith that fame found her. 

Her first album, "Kansas," was a huge success and put her on a path of constant touring, writing, and promoting. Jennifer kept it all together until 2004 when she went on sabbatical to Australia to take some earned rest.

She never really considered her sexuality and how it interacted with her faith until her mom outed her to herself in her late twenties. Jen didn't have a lot of the baggage about LGBTQ+ issues many other Christians did, but it still led to a lot of wrestling and learning.

Eventually, Jennifer made her relationship with another woman public, and she was faced with the backlash she expected. But that didn't push her away from faith. She dug in, spoke out about compassion, graduated from divinity school, and kept playing music and speaking up for LGBTQ+ communities.

If you play music, you can Jam with Jen on her website.

If you're enjoying this series, consider rating and reviewing Why I Stay on your podcast app of choice.

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Taylor Schumann grew up in Virginia with a comfortable and easy life until she was shot by a stranger at her job in 2013. A lot of things changed for Taylor after that, and she began to speak publicly about her evolving views. Although Taylor has experienced enough cruelty to make her question her faith, she remains committed to speaking out about the lessons she’s learned.

Buy a copy of "When Thoughts and Prayers Aren't Enough" to hear all of Taylor's story.

Find Taylor on Twitter or visit her site to learn more about her work.

If you're enjoying this series, consider rating and reviewing Why I Stay on your podcast app of choice.

Also, consider checking out the other podcast offerings from Patheos here.

You can subscribe to the Patheos YouTube channel by clicking here or Like and Follow us on Facebook.

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Bridget Eileen Rivera describes herself as a Christian, Lesbian, Sojourner. Like so many others, she grew up thinking all LGBTQ people were going to hell, but discovered she was a lesbian in college. 

Buy Bridget’s book “Heavy Burdens.”

Bridget’s revelation was not comforting or easy for her. She felt dirty, unloveable, and damned. She had trouble going to sleep at night because she thought God would send to her hell while she slept.

After wrestling with her own faith and the Bible, Bridget began to understand that God did still love her. And that she need not be ashamed of this burden. However, she also felt, and still feels, that she should remain celibate. This puts her in a strange place of having to defend her choices and thoughts to both conservative and progressive people.

Bridget’s road has not been an easy one, but she has not hesitated to stay true to her calling of helping us all be more empathetic and loving.

Find Bridget on Twitter or visit her site to learn more about her work.

If you're enjoying this series, consider rating and reviewing Why I Stay on your podcast app of choice.

Also, consider checking out the other podcast offerings from Patheos here.

You can subscribe to the Patheos YouTube channel by clicking here or Like and Follow us on Facebook.

Curious about religion? Learn more at https://www.patheos.com/

Visit whyistaypodcast.com for more info.

Lecrae is a rapper who came to fame with his 116 clique and unashamed rhymes. He was a darling of the young, restless reformed movement until he began to speak up about his experiences as a Black man in church. Lecrae has never been one to hold back, and his courage and clarity about race in America cost him dearly. His career suffered, his marriage nearly fell apart, and his faith was empty for a time. It was a trip to Africa that gave Lecrae the separation he needed to find the core of the Gospel and begin his journey to restoration and healing. 

Get a copy of Lecrae's book "I Am Restored" here. 

Visit Lecrae’s website for links to his albums and books. 

If you're enjoying this series, consider rating and reviewing Why I Stay on your podcast app of choice.

Also, consider checking out the other podcast offerings from Patheos here.

You can subscribe to the Patheos YouTube channel by clicking here or Like and Follow us on Facebook.

Curious about religion? Learn more at https://www.patheos.com/

Why I Stay is part of the Patheos Podcast Network. We will hear from guests like Lecrae, Bridget Eileen Rivera, Jennifer Knapp, Dr. Gregory Coles, Andy Mineo, and Pastor Greg Johnson.