New Kinship

BONUS - Found in Christ, Flourish in Community | Mwendia's Side B Ministry in Africa

We are glad to have Mwendia Steve Kiengu back on the podcast to hear about his ministry in Kenya and across Africa. Found is a ministry to build a Christ-centered community walking alongside believers experiencing same-sex orientation and gender dysphoria, guiding them toward truth, love, and belonging. This is the only Side B ministry in the entire continent of Africa (Side B integrates experiences of same-sex attraction within a historic biblical sexual ethic), with an estimated 7-25 million Christians on the continent experiencing same-sex attraction. It’s a vital ministry for the African church. __________ Links and social media platforms: Found Ministry: https://foundafric.org/ [https://foundafric.org/] Facebook: FoundAfrica [https://www.facebook.com/share/1VrDj1LD4D/] Instagram: @foundafrika [https://www.instagram.com/foundafrika] TikTok: @foundafrika1 [https://www.tiktok.com/@foundafrika1] Giving Link: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/supportfound [https://secure.qgiv.com/for/supportfound] Steve’s Story Episode on New Kinship: #24 Get full access to New Kinship at newkinship.substack.com/subscribe [https://newkinship.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

BONUS #14 - Update on Revoice with Nate Collins

Have you heard of Revoice? If not, then maybe that’s because you’ve been living in the woods… or in the closet. Come tune in and hear an update on what’s going on at the Revoice Conference and beyond from Revoice's founder and President, Nate Collins. TJ, Tyler, and David get to hear from Nate about the changes in the ministry over the years, including the change in the scope of the ministry as it relates to gender minorities. Towards the end they each share about what’s special about Revoice Conference and why they keep coming back. https://www.revoice.org/ Get full access to New Kinship at newkinship.substack.com/subscribe [https://newkinship.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

#81 - Hope for All Our Intimate Relationships, with Erin Moniz

The whole gang talked with Erin Moniz—Baylor University chaplain, Anglican deacon, and author of the excellent book Knowing and Being Known—about developing a Christian theology of intimacy. Erin’s approach to intimacy offers as a valuable critique for our culture’s obsession with romance and sex. Even more importantly, she offers a positive theological vision, exploring how friendships, family, and community relationships can become primary places where we are known, loved, and formed in Christ—with specific thoughts for queer/same-sex-attracted Side B Christians. We hope you’ll give this episode, and Erin’s book, a listen! About Our Guest Rev. Erin F. Moniz (DMin, Trinity School for Ministry) is a deacon in the Anglican Church in North America and Associate Chaplain and Director for Chapel at Baylor University, where she disciples emerging adults and journeys with them toward healthy, gospel-centered relationships. You can find her at erinfmoniz.com [https://www.erinfmoniz.com/]. — Note: This episode uses the terms “Side A” and “Side B” as shorthand for specific Christian perspectives on gay/queer sexuality. If you’re new to the conversation, you might find it helpful to check out episode #3, where we talk through the four “sides”: ⁠#3 - A-B-Y-X | 4 Sides on SSA/Gay Sexuality⁠ [https://newkinship.substack.com/p/3-a-b-y-x-4-sides-on-ssagay-sexuality-69e] — ★ Timestamps (00:00) #81 - Hope for All Our Intimate Relationships, with Erin Moniz (03:11) Erin’s background, serving emerging adults, Side B connections (07:32) “We lack a robust theology of intimacy” (15:03) “I can live without sex, but I cannot live without intimacy” (18:53) Romance idolatry leads to hypersexualization (22:57) What’s the difference: “Romance” vs. “Intimacy”? (28:22) When values conflict: autonomy vs. vulnerability (33:29) How AI bots could shape our intimacy (37:12) Can intimate relationships be “economic” also? (47:03) Are queer Christians better at healthy relationships? (52:36) Your advice to: “I’m falling in love with my friends” (01:01:15) Encouragement: You were made for intimacy on purpose by God — ★ Links and References Knowing and Being Known: Hope for All Our Intimate Relationships (IVP ): www.ivpress.com/knowing-and-being-known [https://www.ivpress.com/knowing-and-being-known] — ★ Send us feedback, questions, comments, and support || Email: communionandshalom@gmail.com [communionandshalom@gmail.com] | Instagram: @newkinship [https://www.instagram.com/newkinship] | Substack: @newkinship [https://newkinship.substack.com/] — ★ Credits || Creators and Hosts: David Frank, TJ Espinoza, Tyler Parker | Audio Engineer: Carl Swenson, carlswensonmusic.com [http://www.carlswensonmusic.com/] | Podcast Manager: Elena F. ★ Get full access to New Kinship at newkinship.substack.com/subscribe [https://newkinship.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Kinship Lab #02 - Conversion Therapy vs Bisexual Responsiveness?

In light of the Colorado Supreme Court case Charles v. Salazar and prior conversation with Julia Sadusky and other conversations with Side X guests, we dig into Conversion Therapy (also called Reparative or Reintegrative Therapy), particularly how it intersects notions around the fluidity of sexuality. Reports on sexual fluidity opens new questions to the ethics of conversation therapies, and maybe different analysis has to why the “change is possible” narratives (e.g. Exodus Ministries) were so destructive. But maybe alternative approaches like “bisexual responsiveness” via Camille Paglia (see the linked Cracks in Postmodernity essay) suggest a different outlook on the whole affair, and open doors to intriguing considerations of the queer experience and same-sex friendship/romantic friendship. References: A fascinating article with so many intriguing quotes: Cracks in Postmodernity: Conversion Therapy vs. Bisexual Responsiveness [https://cracksinpomo.substack.com/p/conversion-therapy-vs-bisexual-responsiveness-743?utm_source=substack&utm_campaign=post_embed&utm_medium=web] Our episodes about/with Side X guests: #54 - Side B & Side X in Dialogue: With Jason Thompson from Portland Fellowship [https://newkinship.substack.com/p/54-side-b-and-side-x-in-dialogue] #48 - What Is Transformation? with Agape First Ministries [https://newkinship.substack.com/p/what-is-transformation-with-agape] #41 - Unexpected Shifts: Josh’s Story of Prayer, Healing, and Attraction [https://newkinship.substack.com/p/41-unexpected-shifts-joshs-story-9e2] #35 - Marco Casanova on Integration, Healing, and Orientation [https://newkinship.substack.com/p/35-marco-casanova-on-integration-ecf] Time Stamps: 00:00 Have you thought of joining us at Revoice? 02:31 Kinship Lab on Conversion Therapy 04:09 Sexual Fluidity Debate 06:33 Tyler’s Harvard Story 10:46 Exodus and Pray Away Documentary 14:39 Modern Reorientation Claims 19:14 Identity Versus Desire/Attraction 24:25 Side B Growth and Chastity 28:19 Defining Attraction, Sanctification and Bisexual Responsiveness 35:36 On Noticing Beauty and Desire 40:53 Paglia and Rigid Labels 45:50 Sexual Category Origins, Queer Identity, and Fluidity 51:29 Friendship Versus Therapy 57:14 Chastity and Same Sex Love 01:04:35 Romantic Friendship Debate 01:06:07 Humility and Closing Thoughts Get full access to New Kinship at newkinship.substack.com/subscribe [https://newkinship.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

#80 - Neth’s Story: Coming Out of the Closet at 54

Our friend Neth is a father, grandfather, and licensed counselor—and at the first Revoice conference in 2018, he came out to himself as gay, at the age of 54. In this episode, Neth reflected on growing up in an abusive Christian home and how this experience shaped decades of his life. Speaking both personally and professionally, he talked with us about mixed-orientation marriages, why naming yourself “gay” isn’t merely negative self-talk but an act of honesty, and why he ultimately finds Side B compelling. See also (01:05:42): Neth’s advice for people considering therapy. — Note: This episode uses the terms “Side A” and “Side B” and “Side X” as shorthand quite a bit. If you’re new to the conversation, we recommend listening to our episode #3, “A-B-Y-X | 4 Sides on SSA/Gay Sexuality.” [https://communionshalom.substack.com/p/3-a-b-y-x-4-sides-on-ssagay-sexuality-69e] But just briefly, here’s how people often use these terms: * “Side A” generally refers to the perspective that affirms God can bless same-sex marriage and sexual relationships. Sides B, X, and Y all represent perspectives that uphold the historic Christian sexual ethic of marriage between a man and a woman, and sex within marriage. Beyond that agreement, in essence: * “Side B” recognizes people experience same-sex sexual attraction and may describe that experience using a variety of words or identity terms while still holding to the historical Christian sexual ethic. * ”Side X” tends to emphasize the idea that sexual orientation can change, and ministers to gay people toward the aim of being “ex gay.” * “Side Y” tends to avoid any kind of identity language associated with LGBT concerns, with the goal of not taking on an identity of being “gay.” — ★ Timestamps (00:00) #80 - Neth’s Story: Coming Out of the Closet at 54 (03:44) About Neth; and coming out after 54 years (18:46) Suppressing or repressing, and walking “normally” (31:41) A mixed orientation marriage, “arousal templates” (43:55) Healing looks like accepting myself (50:03) Gay marriage can’t produce babies (57:09) Is saying I’m gay “negative self talk,” or a map of reality? (01:00:45) Seeking church family (01:05:42) Encouragements for listeners: Get in therapy — ★ Send us feedback, questions, comments, and support || Email: communionandshalom@gmail.com [communionandshalom@gmail.com] | Instagram: @newkinship [https://www.instagram.com/newkinship] | Substack: @newkinship [https://newkinship.substack.com/] — ★ Credits || Creators and Hosts: David Frank, TJ Espinoza, Tyler Parker | Audio Engineer: Carl Swenson, carlswensonmusic.com [http://www.carlswensonmusic.com/] | Podcast Manager: Elena F. | Graphic Designer: Gavin Popken, gavinpopkenart.com [https://gavinpopkenart.com/] ★ Get full access to New Kinship at newkinship.substack.com/subscribe [https://newkinship.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]