The Bible’s Answer to the Problem of Sexism (Part 1)

Last updated on: June 16, 2014 at 2:33 pm By Andrew Marin

The following post is by Jason Bilbrey, our Director of Pastoral Care here at The Marin Foundation. You can read more from Jason at his blog, www.jasonbilbrey.com or follow him on Twitter at @JasonBilbrey. I’m not very active on Twitter, but even I couldn’t remain ignorant of the hashtag #YesAllWomen that catalyzed national (and international) dialogue on gender relations last weekend in the wake of Elliot Rodger’s misogynistic killing spree in Santa Barbara. While my understanding of the problem was broadened by... Read more

Share Your Story of Compelling Love

Last updated on: May 27, 2014 at 9:33 am By Andrew Marin

“How can people connect with each other when their beliefs, values, and practices deeply differ, distress, and even offend each other?” This question is the premise behind a documentary currently being filmed called Compelling Love. The film is about sexuality, gender identity, Christianity, and how people can love one another despite their differences. The producers of this film will be in the Chicagoland area from June 5 – 8 filming people’s stories. They are looking for folks who are willing... Read more

New Resource for Christian Parents with LGBTQ Children

Last updated on: May 22, 2014 at 11:28 am By Andrew Marin

Are you a Christian parent with a LGBTQ child? We have added several new resources for you to our website including a list of other Christian parents all over the US who are willing to email or talk with you. Read more

My Reluctant Journey Toward “Reverend”

Last updated on: May 21, 2014 at 1:49 pm By Andrew Marin

The following post is by Jason Bilbrey, our Director of Pastoral Care here at The Marin Foundation. You can read more from Jason at his blog, www.jasonbilbrey.com or follow him on Twitter at @JasonBilbrey. I’ve been called “reverend” more than a few times in the last few years. Doing pastoral care for The Marin Foundation, I’m engaged in the kind of spiritual conversation with folks that reverends have. And being a seminary-educated, straight, white male, I fit the mold cast by church... Read more

Living in the Tension Gathering – 5/19

Last updated on: May 14, 2014 at 8:18 am By Andrew Marin

If you live in Chicago please join us for our upcoming Living in the Tension gathering on Monday, May 19th. We will meet at 7pm in Room 124 at 5255 N Ashland Avenue. This week we will have a special presentation by Jake Bradley, the Youth Outreach Manager for The Night Ministry. The Night Ministry is a Chicago-based organization that works to provide housing, health care and human connection to members of our community struggling with poverty or homelessness. Jake will share about... Read more

Individuals Make for Horrible Icons

Last updated on: May 15, 2014 at 2:20 pm By Andrew Marin

The following post is by Jason Bilbrey, our Director of Pastoral Care here at The Marin Foundation. You can read more from Jason at his blog, www.jasonbilbrey.com or follow him on Twitter at @JasonBilbrey. Last Monday at our biweekly Living in the Tension gathering, one of my friends explained the experience of being a gay Christian like “having a sign around my neck.” There’s a constant pressure, she explained, to prove herself as both gay and Christian. To some, she isn’t be... Read more

2014 Parent Conference

Last updated on: May 19, 2014 at 8:48 am By Andrew Marin

Unconditional Ministries, The Marin Foundation, and FreedHearts are excited to present the 2014 Midwest Parents Conference, “By Parents, For Parents”, on June 13th and 14th in Chicago. Join us to hear from, worship with, and experience community with other Christian parents who are learning to reconcile their faith and their child’s sexuality or gender identity. Read more

Living in the Tension Gathering 5/5

Last updated on: May 1, 2014 at 12:54 pm By Andrew Marin

For our upcoming Living in the Tension gathering on Monday, May 5th, we’ll be discussing what it means to be a representing or “token” member of a minority group within various social settings. What is it like to be the only trans person in the room? Or the only female? Or the only Christian? Or the only Asian? Do you feel a responsibility to represent your minority group? How do you deal with offensive or ignorant questions or comments? We... Read more

How to Talk to Young Kids About Same-Sex Relationships

Last updated on: April 23, 2014 at 3:53 pm By Andrew Marin

The following post is by Jason Bilbrey, our Director of Pastoral Care here at The Marin Foundation. You can read more from Jason at his blog, www.jasonbilbrey.com. It’s been a few years since our daughter, Norah, first encountered boys holding hands and girls kissing. That was in the summer of 2011, when our family moved from seminary housing out in California to a little place above a gay bar in Chicago’s Boystown neighborhood. Exposure was just unavoidable, from the very kind,... Read more

The Culture War Curriculum

Last updated on: April 18, 2014 at 9:19 am By Andrew Marin

Ready to take the next step in learning to build bridges between the LGBTQ community and the Church? Join us for a continuing education course May 16-17 in Memphis, Tennessee. Click here for more details. Read more