The author of Generous Spaciousness: Responding to Gay Christians in the Church, Wendy VanderWal-Gritter, will share her perspective at the upcoming Gender Café, sponsored by Trinity Western University’s Gender studies Institute, on November 13.
Gritter, who is also the executive director of New Direction Ministries, is an internationally-recognized contributor to the conversations at the intersection of faith and sexuality. A self-described avid student of the church, she is committed to equipping the local congregation to nurture what she calls “radical hospitality.”
“This is an opportunity to be part of a conversation,” said Professor of History and Gender Studies Institute Co-director Robynne Healey, Ph.D. “The work of missional scholars, such as Gritter, is part of an ongoing dialogue in the Church universal about gender and sexual orientation. Rather than dictating a position that all Christians must adopt, Gritter’s work and ministry invites us to participate in a conversation where there is space for dialogue and uncertainty.”
Through research and teaching, the scholars of the Gender Studies Institute have been participating in these kinds of conversations on an ongoing basis. Events such as these provide an opportunity for the larger community, including local churches, to be part of this dialogue on a critical issue facing the Church today. “While this issue has appeared to be divisive, our hope is that it need not be considered that way,” Healey said. “The Gospel calls us to reconciliation, restoration, and hope; this is an opportunity for us to discuss and model what that might look like.”
Event at a glance:
Gender Café
Thursday, November 13
7:00-8:30 p.m.
Devries Centre Auditorium
Trinity Western University
22500 University Drive, Langley