Our Strangely Warmed Hearts: Coming Out into Gods Call

by Karen P. Oliveto

As John Wesley discovered his true spiritual identity, he experienced a strangely warmed heart. Through poignant stories and well-reasoned principles, Karen Oliveto discloses why and how spiritual renewal and a personal call to ministry emerge in the strangely warmed hearts of lesbian and gay Christians. In The United Methodist Church (and other Christian denominations), it is difficult or impossible for lesbian, gay, transsexual, and bisexual clergy or laity to become a visible and outward channel for God’s saving grace. This book traces the history of the church’s struggle with homosexuality, highlighting critical incidents in the culture and church polity which shape the church’s response. The issues are deeply rooted in the way God’s people understand scriptures, which are interpreted as a means of grace for some and as a rule-book for others. This book includes first-person narratives of LGBTQ persons faithfully serving in a denomination that denies their calls and—in some cases—their presence. These stories will show how the coming out process is deeply spiritual as one grows into an authentic, God-created and graced self. “You are the one who created my innermost parts; you knit me together while I was still in my mother’s womb. I give thanks to you that I was marvelously set apart. Your works are wonderful—I know that very well.” Psalm 139:13-14 (CEB) “Our Strangely Warmed Hearts is a breath of fresh air in the study of the United Methodist struggle and intense debate regarding human sexuality. Karen Oliveto lives in faithful witness and serves people with the heart of Christian leadership."—Bishop Hee-Soo Jung, Wisconsin Conference of the United Methodist Church. “Karen Oliveto offers a compelling window into the steadfast faith and the resilience of the LGBTQ Christian movement in the United States. After offering an extraordinary history of the LGBTQ equality movement in our society and in The United Methodist Church, she rightly asks, 'Is there any other group that we would marginalize in this way?' I wholeheartedly recommend Karen Oliveto's new book to everyone who is affected by the debate over the sacred worth and place of LGBTQ people in our lives and churches. This book inspires hope.” —Michael J. Adee, Ph.D., Director, Global Faith and Justice Project, San Francisco Theological Seminary, San Anselmo, CA “Bishop Oliveto's story mirrors the experience of many LGBTQ ministers who are serving the Body of Christ openly, and not in the shadows. The integrity, courage, and deep faith of God’s LGBTQ people who are called into ministry have enriched the church and encouraged the outsiders who were always welcome at Jesus' table.”–Andy Lang, Executive Director, Open and Affirming Coalition, United Church of Christ “I loved it! It drew me in immediately and kept me strapped in on what I knew would be a roller coaster of painful history, sprinkled triumphs, and then stories that broke my heart, gave me cheer, and brought tears to my eyes. Bishop Oliveto takes readers on a fascinating trip through LGBTQ history, and into the often contentious collision with mainstream religion…and then brings it all together through the personal stories that make our past and present come alive! I applaud Bishop Oliveto’s book and will highly recommend it to the faithful and faith curious of all religions.”–The Reverend Marian Edmonds-Allen, Executive Director, Parity "[Bishop Karen Oliveto] is sharing the love of Jesus, and meeting people where they are, no matter who they are, and no matter what they think about her. She loves them." —Kent Ingram, senior pastor of First United Methodist Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Genres: Religion, Theology, Nonfiction, Christianity, Queer, Church, LGBT

152 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 26, 2018

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not put this book down. Bishop Oliveto details the history of the LGBTQ movement in the United States and within the United Methodist Church (UMC) in the first half of the book; the second half is personal stories from LGBTQ UMC clergy and laity. Highly recommended.

[Karen Grothe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short but thorough history of the "gay issue", first in society and then in the United Methodist Church is presented in the first section of the book. The second section of the book presents 10 personal stories from LGBTQ people in the UMC church. I was glad to read the history. The was it was laid out in timeline form is not flattering for the church, and I'm hoping they will finally change in the language in the Book of Discipline in the 2024 General Conference currently going on. The personal stories were heartbreaking. The book makes a good case for changing the UMC Book of Discipline and social principles.

[Kelsey Grissom · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book would be a mini-memoir of Bishop Oliveto, but it is not. It is a mini-history if homosexuality in the US, a mini-history of homosexuality in The UMC, and then 10 people telling their stories about coming out in The UMC (Bishop Oliveto is not one of them). The subject matter is good (there aren’t many short books on this subject) and the historical background of this debate in The UMC is fascinating (I have been United Methodist my whole life but never knew most of it), but the book is very poorly written.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

The first part of the book read dry to me. It was much needed history of the LGBT and United Methodist Church issue. I am not at all a history fan, so I'll take full responsibility for the dryness. The information was well presented. I got a lot more out of the 2nd half which was personal stories from our denomination. I recommend reading it.

[Christiana Robey · Rating 2 out of 5]

As with many of the books I have read for this book club I would recommend hiring an editor because this book was written very poorly. It was an interesting concept but poorly executed. I think this book is really good for religious people who hate gay people, but otherwise I think you can and should skip it.

[Janet Grace Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story shared from the heart, with wisdom and grace.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for understanding the divide in the UMC. I am shocked at how some people treat all children of God. They don't seem to understand that "love one another" means EVERYONE.

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful read! Interesting UMC LGBTQ+ history. Wonder if there are similar ones from different perspectives re: LGBTQ ethics.

[David Burrows · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author explains the calling many LGBTQ persons feel to be Christian and to participate in communities that don't as always accept them fully.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

great idea poorly executed

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good history of homosexuality in the Methodist church.
First half of book is mainly facts. Second half of book is essays by people who have lived during the history making.
Read as part of the United Women of Faith Reading Program.

[Gail Burgess · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book offers an accurate history of our treatment of LGBTQ in the United Methodist Church through the years. It provides a picture of how we have gotten to the point of looking to a split within our denomination. The second half includes faith journeys of individuals who have been hurt by the church, who have left the church and who continue to struggle to create a church that truly has open doors, that truly welcomes, accepts and honors everyone.