"What would you say," I answered him, "if I told you I don't think it is a mistake."

There are a few concepts in the Scripture which indirectly address the idea of people of unusual Gender conditions and how we are to relate to them within the church.

I was right with God and could see clearly how others were not. I was beginning to believe that I had all the answers.

Jesus of Nazareth was really a RADICAL! Jesus of Nazareth was DIFFERENT. As Bishop Spong says: "dare to be yourself!"

I don't know, dear friend, what God wants you to do with your life. I have my hands full understanding what God wants me to do with my life.

Just suppose for a minute that Jesus was transgendered. What was his position on the Jewish laws which forbade it? See how radical Jesus really was.

Do you think Jesus was concerned about what other people said about him?

If you've ever wondered if Jesus can really identify with the transgendered, consider these similarities between his life and ours.

Today, we’ve gone back to the more simplistic world-view of the Bible. We have forgotten the complexity and humanity of the approach of our classical thinkers towards intersex people.

The journey of a transgender person, like the journey of the Children of Israel, involves leaving everything known for the promise of something completely unknown. And even if what is known is mitzrayim, it is terrifying.

Love - the love of God as manifest in Christ - can empower us to respond to our antagonists in wisdom and love. By our example we will do more to cause others to accept us than by any argument.

I have used the term "black hole" to describe the treatment I have received from pastors, deacons, "good Christian folks" with whom I try to communicate: letters go in, but nothing ever comes back out. I am ignored; I am anathema. Perhaps to them I am contagious.

From Trans-Ponder Podcast (episode #19)

An extended excerpt from Justin's wonderful book, Transgendered: Theology, Ministry and Communities of Faith (2003). Made available by the Progressive Christian Witness at Pacific School of Religion.

For me, being Julie has brought authenticity to my relationship with God and a depth to worship beyond anything I have ever known.

Angela shares how her faith has changed -- and grown stronger.