What do you think?
A Brief Guide to Ministry with LGBTQIA Youth
Despite our best efforts to create welcoming and affirming congregations, the reality is that church can still be a harmful place to LGBTQIA youth.
Inside A Brief Guide to Ministry with LGBTQIA Youth, author Cody J. Sanders challenges pastors and church leaders to reflect on the various trials that adolescence brings for LGBTQIA youth. Designed for congregations that currently have a theologically and biblically affirming stance toward the LGBTQIA community, this unique resource provides insight and practical advice for tough questions like:
How does an affirming stance toward LGBTQIA people affect the day-to-day experience of teenagers in a church setting? In what ways can a church's youth ministry have a positive impact on the lives of LGBTQIA youth who want to fully live out their Christian faith and their gender identity? How can a pastor, youth minister, or youth ministry volunteer embrace, nurture, and provide skillful care for LGBTQIA youth in a congregation or community?
A glossary of terms to use when talking about LGBTQIA issues and a list of national and location resources that can be used to support LGBTQIA youth are included.
Inside A Brief Guide to Ministry with LGBTQIA Youth, author Cody J. Sanders challenges pastors and church leaders to reflect on the various trials that adolescence brings for LGBTQIA youth. Designed for congregations that currently have a theologically and biblically affirming stance toward the LGBTQIA community, this unique resource provides insight and practical advice for tough questions like:
How does an affirming stance toward LGBTQIA people affect the day-to-day experience of teenagers in a church setting? In what ways can a church's youth ministry have a positive impact on the lives of LGBTQIA youth who want to fully live out their Christian faith and their gender identity? How can a pastor, youth minister, or youth ministry volunteer embrace, nurture, and provide skillful care for LGBTQIA youth in a congregation or community?
A glossary of terms to use when talking about LGBTQIA issues and a list of national and location resources that can be used to support LGBTQIA youth are included.
100 pages, Paperback
Published September 4, 2017
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 7, 2026
Like many clergy my age, there was a time when I assumed that to be gay or lesbian was a choice, and a bad choice at that. I didn't even know what Transgenderism was. It wasn't until members of my family started coming out that I actually started thinking about what it meant to be gay. I look back to when I was a youth minister, young adult minister, and even college professor and realize that I was truly unprepared for conversations about sexuality. During the course of my ministry, I became fully open and affirming and helped my last congregation move into being officially open and affirming, welcoming people who are gay, lesbian, bi, trans, and questioning. During those years of ministry, I didn't have the opportunity to provide pastoral support for LGBTQIA youth. I wonder, if I had, would I have been prepared to provide the kind of support needed?
As I reflect on the past, I think about what is happening at this moment. After same-sex marriage was legalized across the nation by the Supreme Court in 2015, providing support for families who had been denied what my wife and I have, we have seen significant backlash. It's not just same-sex marriage; even more problematic is the way Trans folk have become the fulcrum of political backlash, supported/lead by the current presidential administration. So, how does the church respond, especially when many of the most vociferous opponents of equality are Christian?
Cody J. Sanders, Associate Professor of Congregational and Community at Luther Seminary and an ordained Baptist pastor, wrote some years ago "A Brief Guide to Ministry with LGBTQIA Youth" (2017). He has updated that book for a new day. Since I did not read/review the original edition, I cannot speak to the changes, though much has changed, and not for the better since 2017. So, while things have gotten better over the last several decades, this cannot be said for the past decade. At the same time, increasing numbers of churches have become more open and more affirming, but are they prepared to provide the kind of ministry needed at the moment? This is a moment when many youth are looking for support and may not know where to turn. As Sanders writes in the preface to the new edition, whereas he once asked churches and denominations if they are ready to embody their love and affirmation of queer and Trans folk, now he asks: "What will you risk to stand in solidarity with queer and trans people?" (p. xiv). This is a question we need to face.
Having provided a preface to this new edition, explaining why he decided to prepare a new edition at this time, he begins with his Introduction. The most important part of the introduction, besides letting us know who the audience is and why the book was written, is an in-depth set of terminology. He covers all the important terms, while also pointing out that the terminology is constantly changing. For example, the word "homosexual," which was once the primary term for Gays and Lesbians is no longer considered an appropriate term. In fact, no one term covers everyone or is accepted by everyone. Thus, the acronym of LGBTQIA is increasingly common.
Having introduced the topic and the terminology, Sanders begins the discussion of the different elements involved in ministering to LGBTQIA youth, starting in Chapter 1 with "A Brief Guide to Gender Identity and Expression." This is probably a good place to start since most people assume a male-female binary, but the truth is there is more to the story. For example, some people are Transgender, while others are intersex. There is fluidity here. Since this book is focused on ministering to youth, Sanders recommends that leaders, including pastors, be careful in the advice/guidance given. The second Chapter is titled "A Brief Guide to Sexual/Affectional Orientation." This is a different area of consideration, for people can be attracted to persons of the same gender or an opposite gender or to no one at all. This is a helpful chapter because many in the open and affirming community and in the Gay and Lesbian community have been arguing for some time that one's sexual orientation is innate, not chosen, and yet more recent studies suggest things are more fluid than we've been led to believe.
Having addressed gender and sexual/affectional orientation, the next three chapters focus on forms of ministry, first with persons who understand themselves to be LGBTQIA (chapter 3), then with Parents and Family (Chapter 4), and finally Sanders focuses on pastoral and mentoring relationships (Chapter 5). Central to each of these chapters is the question of welcome and affirmation. The relationships are different, and knowing how to engage with LGBTQIA persons on the one hand and their families, especially parents, on the other requires a lot of thought, patience, compassion, and wisdom. Sanders walks the reader through this. Finally, Chapter 5 is titled "A Brief Guide to Queer Neurodiversity." Although being queer and neurodivergent are not the same, there is overlap, as a significant number of LGBTQIA persons are also Neurodivergent. As we know, even as there is backlash against LGBTQIA persons, there is increasing pushback against dealing with neurodiversity, both in terms of funding and provision of support. Some of this is due to the SHHS's attempts to blame autism on vaccines, while at the same time ending programs that support neurodivergent persons due to the opposition to DEI. Thus, we are living at a time when the progress made is being wiped out, to the detriment of many people. After the chapters, Sanders provides an Appendix listing National and Local Resources for Supporting LGBTQIA Youth, including space to list local resources.
I wish I had read this book thirty years ago. While aimed at ministry with youth, Sanders provides information that will benefit clergy, youth leaders, parents, teachers, and others who interact not only with youth but with persons who are included in the LGBTQIA community, remembering that this is not a one-size-fits-all ministry.
As I reflect on the past, I think about what is happening at this moment. After same-sex marriage was legalized across the nation by the Supreme Court in 2015, providing support for families who had been denied what my wife and I have, we have seen significant backlash. It's not just same-sex marriage; even more problematic is the way Trans folk have become the fulcrum of political backlash, supported/lead by the current presidential administration. So, how does the church respond, especially when many of the most vociferous opponents of equality are Christian?
Cody J. Sanders, Associate Professor of Congregational and Community at Luther Seminary and an ordained Baptist pastor, wrote some years ago "A Brief Guide to Ministry with LGBTQIA Youth" (2017). He has updated that book for a new day. Since I did not read/review the original edition, I cannot speak to the changes, though much has changed, and not for the better since 2017. So, while things have gotten better over the last several decades, this cannot be said for the past decade. At the same time, increasing numbers of churches have become more open and more affirming, but are they prepared to provide the kind of ministry needed at the moment? This is a moment when many youth are looking for support and may not know where to turn. As Sanders writes in the preface to the new edition, whereas he once asked churches and denominations if they are ready to embody their love and affirmation of queer and Trans folk, now he asks: "What will you risk to stand in solidarity with queer and trans people?" (p. xiv). This is a question we need to face.
Having provided a preface to this new edition, explaining why he decided to prepare a new edition at this time, he begins with his Introduction. The most important part of the introduction, besides letting us know who the audience is and why the book was written, is an in-depth set of terminology. He covers all the important terms, while also pointing out that the terminology is constantly changing. For example, the word "homosexual," which was once the primary term for Gays and Lesbians is no longer considered an appropriate term. In fact, no one term covers everyone or is accepted by everyone. Thus, the acronym of LGBTQIA is increasingly common.
Having introduced the topic and the terminology, Sanders begins the discussion of the different elements involved in ministering to LGBTQIA youth, starting in Chapter 1 with "A Brief Guide to Gender Identity and Expression." This is probably a good place to start since most people assume a male-female binary, but the truth is there is more to the story. For example, some people are Transgender, while others are intersex. There is fluidity here. Since this book is focused on ministering to youth, Sanders recommends that leaders, including pastors, be careful in the advice/guidance given. The second Chapter is titled "A Brief Guide to Sexual/Affectional Orientation." This is a different area of consideration, for people can be attracted to persons of the same gender or an opposite gender or to no one at all. This is a helpful chapter because many in the open and affirming community and in the Gay and Lesbian community have been arguing for some time that one's sexual orientation is innate, not chosen, and yet more recent studies suggest things are more fluid than we've been led to believe.
Having addressed gender and sexual/affectional orientation, the next three chapters focus on forms of ministry, first with persons who understand themselves to be LGBTQIA (chapter 3), then with Parents and Family (Chapter 4), and finally Sanders focuses on pastoral and mentoring relationships (Chapter 5). Central to each of these chapters is the question of welcome and affirmation. The relationships are different, and knowing how to engage with LGBTQIA persons on the one hand and their families, especially parents, on the other requires a lot of thought, patience, compassion, and wisdom. Sanders walks the reader through this. Finally, Chapter 5 is titled "A Brief Guide to Queer Neurodiversity." Although being queer and neurodivergent are not the same, there is overlap, as a significant number of LGBTQIA persons are also Neurodivergent. As we know, even as there is backlash against LGBTQIA persons, there is increasing pushback against dealing with neurodiversity, both in terms of funding and provision of support. Some of this is due to the SHHS's attempts to blame autism on vaccines, while at the same time ending programs that support neurodivergent persons due to the opposition to DEI. Thus, we are living at a time when the progress made is being wiped out, to the detriment of many people. After the chapters, Sanders provides an Appendix listing National and Local Resources for Supporting LGBTQIA Youth, including space to list local resources.
I wish I had read this book thirty years ago. While aimed at ministry with youth, Sanders provides information that will benefit clergy, youth leaders, parents, teachers, and others who interact not only with youth but with persons who are included in the LGBTQIA community, remembering that this is not a one-size-fits-all ministry.
March 26, 2018
A phenomenal book. This book should be on the shelves of every youth pastor --regardless of if they're affirming or not-- because it gives them the tools to create safe spaces for their youth to talk about LGBTQIA+ concerns. I was thoroughly impressed by how many resources, talking notes, and spiritual tools Sanders was able to tie into such a small book. If all any reader looks at is the glossary of terms at the front, they've already gotten their money's worth (and there's so much great content beyond the glossary!). I appreciated how Sanders reminds ministers to view the youth as holistic beings-- with emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual needs. He also does a fantastic job discussing how to work with the parents of LGBTQIA+ youth (affirming, rejecting, and everything in between). A very thoughtful, resourceful book. I will be recommending it to all of my colleagues in ministry.
November 17, 2017
An incredibly important book for all people in ministry! Sanders does a great job stressing the real consequences LGBTQ+ youth are facing, and illustrating the ways in which Christian leaders can mitigate harm and create spaces for youth to thrive. The only thing I'd change is the way Sanders addresses bisexuality. It's glossed over briefly, and doesn't do anything to correct common misconceptions, the way he does with other LGTQIA identities. But even considering that omission, this book should be on the shelf of every pastor, youth leader, and ministry professional.
September 8, 2017
This is a simple but important little book on ministry with LGBTQIA youth. The glossary in the beginning is, on its own, an important resource and, overall, this book represents a helpful contribution to a conversation that too many youth workers and practical theologians in youth ministry have felt too squeamish to engage. There is little enough theological work in this book to beg the question, should the word "ministry" have even been in the title? Ministry itself, as a theological practice grounded in divine action, is neglected and undefined. None of this, however, diminishes the book's effectiveness in accomplishing what the author intended to accomplish with it; namely, to address the concerns of LGBTQIA youth in the context of the church and equip the people who work with them with the vocabulary and framework they need to affirm the value of these young people's lived experience and, at minimum, to do the least amount of harm as possible. I recommend this book to youth workers everywhere.
Read
February 23, 2026Thank you to NetGalley and Westminster John Knox Press for an eARC in exchange for an honest review
It's great to see resources like this going around and I was really curious to see what this would contain. Full of great information on working with queer youth, particularly on deepening care and friendships with grace and love for the vulnerable folk in our communities. It was quite clear (to me anyways) that this is aimed at people in some position of church leadership, in churches who are already affirming or on the path towards that kind of viewpoint, rather than a theological tome on changing people's minds if they aren't.
Generally I would say this is relevant for anyone who works with vulnerable people: queer, young, religious, or not! It talks specifically about making sure you have resources prepared in advance for difficult situations which is something that hadn't occurred to me before in these contexts.
The glossary at the beginning was perhaps not the most engaging read but certainly useful for those hoping to learn more about language that avoids offense.
It's great to see resources like this going around and I was really curious to see what this would contain. Full of great information on working with queer youth, particularly on deepening care and friendships with grace and love for the vulnerable folk in our communities. It was quite clear (to me anyways) that this is aimed at people in some position of church leadership, in churches who are already affirming or on the path towards that kind of viewpoint, rather than a theological tome on changing people's minds if they aren't.
Generally I would say this is relevant for anyone who works with vulnerable people: queer, young, religious, or not! It talks specifically about making sure you have resources prepared in advance for difficult situations which is something that hadn't occurred to me before in these contexts.
The glossary at the beginning was perhaps not the most engaging read but certainly useful for those hoping to learn more about language that avoids offense.
August 12, 2023
This is an incredible resource for anyone seeking to care, empower, and support LGBTQ+ youth and young adults - and I really do mean anyone! Sanders has written a beautiful book with a plethora of case studies, queer theories and theologies, and recommendations in such an accessible way. Whether you are ordained clergy, layperson, youth worker, educator, family member, ally or LGBTQ+ identified - this book will genuinely save LGBTQ+ youth and young adults' lives. I've been involved in LGBTQ+ ministry for several years, and Sanders' book was deeply meaningful and helpful to envision the future of LGBTQ+ inclusion in the Church and the world. Highly recommend.
August 25, 2017
Something I really liked about this book was that even though it's introductory, it didn't jump to the most simplified example when explaining things. The people mentioned in the sample cases brought more of themselves to the story, which meant that nonbinary people, questioning, and interrelated aspects of identity were well handled.
May 19, 2024
Although a few years old now a great resource in conversations that all youth workers should be considering.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews