56 - Gold Star List 2025
Another year has flown by and it is time for the 2025 Gold Star list - a cultivated collection of the best resources covering a variety of topics. This year we’ve added a few new headings highlighting specific ministries and counseling resources.
May the Lord bless you as you continue to seek Him and His will!
Scripture
The Bible and Homosexual Practice: Texts and Hermeneutics by Robert A. J. Gagnon
Does the Bible Affirm Same-Sex Relationships? by Rebecca McLaughlin
What the Bible Really Teaches About Homosexuality, by Kevin DeYoung
“The Bible and Same Sex Relationships,” by Tim Keller: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/reviews/the-bible-and-same-sex-relationships-a-review-article/
“Assessing God and the Gay Christian,” a seven-part series by Joe Dallas:
https://joedallas.com/?search=&s=Assessing+God+and+the+Gay+Christian
Relating as the Family of God
The Gospel Comes with a House Key: Practicing Radically Ordinary Hospitality in Our Post-Christian World, by Rosaria Butterfield
Boundaries, by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend
From Bondage to Bonding, by Nancy Groom
No Greater Love, by Rebecca McLaughlin
Emotional Dependency, by Lori Renzel https://www.midvalleyfellowship.org/resources.html
Sexuality
The Identity Project
A new online video resource available for an annual subscription, containing over 150 videos, with more being added monthly. The Identity Project is described on their website in this way: Videos range from two to 30 minutes and can be viewed in any order. Pick and choose from different categories (parenting resources, marriage, sexual and “gender” ideology, same-sex attraction, singleness, and sexual purity) based on your area of interest, or filter videos by expert. Their list of experts includes many previously recommended by R4R, including Sam Allbery, Laura Perry Smalts, Maria Keffler, Sean McDowell, Matthew Sleeth, and other seasoned educators, such as Kathy Koch.
For the Body: Recovering a Theology of Gender, Sexuality, and the Human Body, by Dr. Timothy Tennent
Our Bodies Tell God’s Story: Discovering the Divine Plan for Love, Sex, and Gender, by Christopher West
Into the Light: Healing Sexuality in Today’s Church, by Mark Ongley
“Love that Transforms: How Recovering the Story of Scripture Informs the Human Sexuality Debate,” by Dr. Susanne Nicholson, Firebrand Magazine, July 13, 2021 https://firebrandmag.com/articles/love-that-transforms-how-recovering-the-story-of-scripture-informs-the-human-sexuality-debate
Faithful: A Theology of Sex, by Beth Felker Jones
Hide or Seek: When Men Get Real with God About Sex, by John Freeman
What God Has to Say about Our Bodies, by Sam Allberry
Why Does God Care About Who I Sleep With? by Sam Allberry
7 Myths About Singleness, by Sam Allberry
Rethinking Sexuality, by Dr. Juli Slattery
Identity in Christ Conference, featuring Timothy Keller and hosted by Living Out:
https://www.livingout.org/resources/identity-in-christ-conference-interviews-talks
Holy Sexuality Project, by Christopher Yuan, is a wonderful new resource for grandparents/parents/teens/preteens, teaching Godly, Biblical sexuality. 12 sessions with three short videos in each, set up to alternate with interactive, thought-provoking questions to go through with parents. Here is a promo video, and a free sample lesson and excerpt of the parent’s guide is also available on the website.
Education on Sexuality for Children. (See Also – Parents)
Created by God, by James H. Jr. Ritchie
God’s Design for Sex, by Stanton Jones, PhD., Brenna Jones, and Carolyn Nystrom
A series of books for ages 3-5, 5-8, 8-12, 12-16, plus a guidebook for parents.
https://books.thedisciplemaker.org/godsdesignforsex-2/
“God Created Them Male & Female: K-5th Grade Children’s Ministry Curriculum” a free download: https://www.advocatesprotectingchildren.org/product-page/god-created-them-male-female-k-5th-grade-children-s-ministry-curriculum
Holy Sexuality Project, by Christopher Yuan, is a wonderful new resource for grandparents/parents/teens/preteens, teaching Godly, Biblical sexuality. 12 sessions with three short videos in each, set up to alternate with interactive, thought-provoking questions to go through with parents. Here is a promo video, and a free sample lesson and excerpt of the parent’s guide is also available on the website.
Parents
Mama Bear Apologetics – Guide to Sexuality, by Hillary Morgan Ferrer with Amy Davidson
Holy Sexuality Project, by Christopher Yuan, is a wonderful new resource for grandparents/parents/teens/preteens, teaching Godly, Biblical sexuality. 12 sessions with three short videos in each, set up to alternate with interactive, thought-provoking questions to go through with parents. Here is a promo video, and a free sample lesson and excerpt of the parent’s guide is also available on the website.
Messy Parenting: Powerful and Practical Ways to Strengthen Family Connections, by Lori Wildenberg
https://loriwildenberg.com/2016/09/12/12-vital-things-for-parents-to-say-to-their-gay-child/
“Coming Out as Gay or Transgender: Five Things Parents Must Do” – a Four-Part Series by Harvest USA:
https://harvestusa.org/coming-out-gay-transgender-parents-must-do-part-1/#.X0bHqkl7nSS
https://harvestusa.org/coming-gay-transgender-five-things-parents-must-part-2/#.X0bHykl7nSS
https://harvestusa.org/coming-out-gay-transgender-five-things-parents-must-part-3/#.X0bHkUl7nSS
https://harvestusa.org/coming-out-as-gay-or-transgender-five-things-4/#.X0bH20l7nSS
Free Digital Curriculum for Parents: “Shattered Dreams, New Hope: First Aid for Parents Whose Son or Daughter Has Embraced an LGBTQ+ Identity”
https://harvest-usa.myshopify.com/products/digital-download
See also – “Gender Resource Guide” listed below.
Transgenderism / Non-binarism
Lost in Trans Nation: A Child Psychiatrist’s Guide Out of the Madness is a brilliant work by Dr. Miriam Grossman. Dr. Grossman is a Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychiatrist, author, & international public speaker.
Understanding Gender Dysphoria: Navigating Transgender Issues in a Changing Culture, by Mark Yarhouse and Julia Sadusky
Emerging Gender Identities: Understanding the Diverse Experiences of Today’s Youth, by Mark Yarhouse and Julia Sadusky
“What Does the Bible Say About Transgenderism?” by Kevin DeYoung, posted by The Gospel Coalition, Sept. 8, 2016
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevin-deyoung/what-does-the-bible-say-about-transgenderism/
Understanding Gender Identity (genderidentity101.com), Julie Hamilton
“Gender Resource Guide”
This “Gender Resource Guide” is aimed at helping parents concerned about how to respond to transgender ideology in their school system, but contains great information for everyone with questions about this issue.
Panel Discussion: “The Inequality of the Equality Act: Concerns from the Left”
Posted on Jan 28, 2019, this is a landmark discussion hosted by the Heritage Foundation. The panel includes non-Christian parents, medical experts, self-identified feminists, lesbians, and those who have detransitioned from a prior transgender identity voicing their concerns about the impacts of the creation of “gender identity” as a protected class and the dangers this poses, particularly to women and girls.
Same Sex Attraction
Am I Gay?: Coming Out of Cultural Christianity & LGBTQ+ Identity Into Authentic Faith in Jesus, by Garry Ingraham
Born Again This Way, by Rachel Gilson
Gay Girl, Good God, by Jackie Hill Perry
The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert, by Rosaria Butterfield
Messy Grace, by Caleb Kaltenbach
All Things New, by Debora Barr
Out of a Far Country: A Gay Son’s Journey to God. A Broken Mother’s Search for Hope, by Christopher Yuan
A Change of Affection: A Gay Man’s Incredible Story of Redemption, by Becket Cook
Panel Discussion: “Kevin DeYoung, Justin Taylor, Jackie Hill Perry, and Josh Moody”
Feb 21, 2019. In this video, Justin Taylor, Kevin DeYoung, Jackie Hill Perry, and Josh Moody discuss issues related to homosexuality and the church.
Message: “How to Care for a Pluralistic World with the Love of Christ” Jan 29, 2016
Dr. Mark Yarhouse, director of the Institute for the Study of Sexual Identity (ISSI), addresses the Wheaton College community.
Spousal Support
Help for the Shattered Spouse is an article that details practical ways in which pastors, family members, and friends can support those spouses who have been hurt by the betrayal of those they love.
Sexual Abuse
The Wounded Heart, by Dr. Dan Allender
Counseling Survivors of Sexual Abuse, by Dr. Diane Langberg
Systemic Sexual Abuse
Redeeming Power, Understanding Authority and Abuse in the Church, by Dr. Diane Langberg (Advance copy reviewed by a member of this Task Force.)
Power has a God-given role in human relationships and institutions, but it can lead to abuse when used in unhealthy ways. Speaking into current #metoo and #churchtoo conversations, this book shows that the body of Christ desperately needs to understand the forms power takes, how it is abused, and how to respond to abuses of power.
What Is a Girl Worth?: My Story of Breaking the Silence and Exposing the Truth about Larry Nassar and USA Gymnastics, by Rachael Denhollander
“My Larry Nassar Testimony Went Viral. But There’s More to the Gospel Than Forgiveness.
Former gymnast Rachael Denhollander spent years discovering God’s perspective on sexual abuse. Then her advocacy for survivors cost her her church.” Interview by Morgan Lee, January 31, 2018 posted by Christianity Today
(Related – apology issued by Rachel Denhollander’s former church in regards to the situation referred to in the CT interview above: https://immanuelky.org/articles/we-were-rachaels-church/)
GRACE – Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment
“Responding GRACE-fully To Abuse: A Conversation with Boz Tchividjian,” by Warren Cole Smith, November 14, 2019
https://ministrywatch.com/responding-grace-fully-to-abuse-a-conversation-with-boz-tchividjian/
Speaking Truth In Love
http://test.speakingtruthinlove.org/
Rebuilding Your Broken World, by Gordon MacDonald
Apologetics
Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World’s Largest Religion, Rebecca McLaughlin
Christians in a Cancel Culture: Speaking with Truth and Grace in a Hostile World, Joe Dallas
The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self: Cultural Amnesia, Expressive Individualism, and the Road to Sexual Revolution, Carl Trueman
Strange New World: How Thinkers and Activists Redefined Identity and Sparked the Sexual Revolution, Carl Trueman (A condensed version of his previous book.)
Liberty Council Amicus Brief in the Chiles v. Salazar Supreme Court Case. This brief provides a hearty defense of explorative talk therapy for those with unwanted attractions to the same sex or confusion/insecurity about their sex.
The Paradox Institute – videos on biological sex, refuting gender ideology
Ministries
Desert Stream Ministries / Living Waters
International Foundation for Therapeutic and Counseling Choice
Counseling Resources
Best Practices Discipleship Model for Ministering to Christians Experiencing Unwanted Same-Sex Attraction by Barr, Debora R
The IFTCC has Ethical Guidelines for Clinicians: https://learning.iftcc.org/clinical-guidelines/
Ethical Guidelines for Pastors: https://learning.iftcc.org/pastoral-care-protocol/
A Statement on Change: https://learning.iftcc.org/statement-on-change-2/
General Ethical Guidelines: https://learning.iftcc.org/peg-practise-and-ethical-guidelines-document/
Principles of Transgender Treatment: https://learning.iftcc.org/principles-of-transgender-treatments/
Principles for Sexual Attraction Fluidity Exploration in Therapy: https://learning.iftcc.org/sexual-attraction-fluidity-exploration-in-therapy-safe-t/
