Labour Weekend 21 – 24 October 2016

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30 years on from law reform, what’s changed in NZ churches for gays?

We’ve had marriage equality. And this year is the anniversary of Homosexual Law Reform, so what’s changed for LGBTI Christians in New Zealand? Are there any churches who accept Gays? Have those stories of young gay people being thrown out of Christian homes, and not being accepted because of their sexuality, diminished into the past? Is life all good now for diverse Christians? How is it for Christians who are also Gay in churches in New Zealand?

New Zealand churches are slowly progressing, but with the recent change that saw samesex marriage upheld by law, the church has had to consider its position. In most cases, churches have taken a conservative view and see same-sex marriage as sinful, and have therefore restricted leadership and other duties for LGBT+ people.

It’s 24 years (October 1992) since the Lesbian, Gay and Christian. National Conference was held in in Auckland at St Matthew in the City.

This Labour weekend, Auckland will host the Awaken Conference; an event for the LGBTI community who also identify as Christian. The conference is designed to create a safe, supporting and encouraging place for the LGBTI Christian community. It also aims to provide education for church leaders and pastors wanting to explore these issues as they challenge and grow in their faith.

The main speaker is Justin Lee the founder and executive director of The Gay Christian Network, an interdenominational nonprofit organisation serving LGBT Christians and those who care about them. He is the host of GCN Radio, a popular podcast on faith and sexuality, and author of Torn: Rescuing the Gospel from the Gays-vs.-Christians Debate. Justin has been featured in numerous media outlets, including Dr. Phil, Anderson Cooper 360, NPR’s All Things Considered, and a front page story in The New York Times. He speaks frequently across the U.S.A, is a contributor to the Huntington Post, and writes about issues of faith and culture on his own blog, Crumbs from the Communion Table.

There are also workshops with Massey University’s Professor Peter Lineham and others on

Biblical scriptural issues and other seminars including how to pastorally care for LGBT Christians: to move forward in including and loving LGBT people, regardless of theological position.

The conference itself is on over this Labour Weekend tickets itself are available from https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/awaken-2016-registration-26743767328

Or people can buy tickets at the door. Day passes are also available.

For more information, visit http://awakenconference.co.nz/

SpeakingOutline_AWAKEN.pdf

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