Counting the Cost: Discipleship Beyond Convenience

In Luke 14:25–33, Jesus turns to the crowd and tells them the truth: “Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” It’s a hard word, but an honest one. Discipleship is costly. It may mean strained family ties, letting go of possessions, even risking safety for the sake of love.

In this episode of Queer Church: Faith Without Fear, we wrestle with what it means to count the cost as queer people of faith. We hear wisdom from Presbyterian leaders like John Calvin, Frederick Buechner, and Eugene Peterson, alongside the voices of Audre Lorde, Bayard Rustin, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer. We bring this scripture into Vancouver life — from the renaming of Musqueamview Street to the long airport hotel strike, from Pride parades to tragedies that call us into solidarity. And we share personal stories, like a tense SkyTrain encounter, to remind us that discipleship isn’t abstract — it’s lived every day.

The cost is real. But so is the joy. Join us as we explore why costly discipleship is not a curse, but the door to freedom, justice, and life abundant.

Straightened Up: Healing, Queens, and Compassion Beyond Ritual

In Luke 13:10–17, Jesus heals a woman bent over for eighteen years on the Sabbath. It’s a story of compassion breaking tradition, liberation colliding with ritual, and joy overwhelming shame.

In this episode of Queer Church: Faith Without Fear, we bring that story into today: from the SkyTrain queen who bent under panic at 22nd Street Station, to Vancouver Pride’s fire of joy, to the activism of Danny Ramadan helping queer refugees stand tall.

With scripture, queer theologians, and lived stories, we reflect on what it means to be seen, called, touched, and set free.

In this episode of Queer Church: Faith Without Fear, we step into Jesus’ words from Luke 12:32–40 — “Do not be afraid, little flock… keep your lamps burning.” From the joy of riding a Pride Parade float in Vancouver, to a McDonald’s encounter where blessing and prejudice collided, to a conversation with a young woman reclaiming the cross after church hurt, we explore what it means to live ready for Love’s arrival in every moment.

Through Scripture, queer-affirming theology, and stories from our own community, we’ll talk about reclaiming symbols, protecting our joy, and finding treasure in joy, justice, and authenticity. Whether you’re in the streets waving a flag, quietly reclaiming your faith, or just looking for a reminder that you are God’s delight, this episode will leave you with your lamp lit and your heart full.

🎙️ Teach Us to Pray: Hope and Healing in Dark Times

📖 Scripture: Luke 11:1–13

In this deeply personal episode, Vincent explores the power of prayer through the lens of Luke 11:1–13—where Jesus teaches us to ask, seek, and knock. But what does prayer look like when you’re queer, hurting, or on the edge of giving up?

This week’s episode weaves together:

• 💔 Reflections on the recent shutdown of the LGBTQ youth service on the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
• 🎨 A moving listener story from a nonbinary artist who found prayer in watercolor
• 🕯️ Quotes from LGBTQ+ spiritual voices like Broderick Greer and Andrea Gibson
• 🫁 A guided breath prayer for moments of anxiety, sadness, or spiritual numbness
• 📞 Affirming mental health resources and a closing blessing for every weary heart

Whether you’ve grown up with faith or are reclaiming it in your own way, this episode is a sacred space to breathe, feel, and remember: your prayers still matter—even if they’re messy, silent, or angry.

🌈 You are loved. You are not alone. And your breath is holy.

🔗 [Crisis Resources and Links in Show Notes]

📩 Share your story or prayer request: [Your Email or Link]

📱 Follow @QueerChurchPod for updates and community connection

#QueerChurch #LGBTQFaith #Luke11 #PrayerIsResistance #YouAreNotAlone

Stillness in a Storm: Listening, Grieving, and Resisting with Mary and Martha

In this powerful and tender episode of Queer Church, Vincent Froom reflects on the Gospel story of Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38–42) in the wake of heartbreaking news: the Trump administration has officially shut down the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s LGBTQ Youth Specialized Services. What does it mean to sit and listen when the world tells us to move on? What does sacred stillness look like in the middle of political cruelty?

Through scripture, storytelling, queer testimonies, and a call to holy resistance, Vincent invites listeners into a space of grief, rest, and deep spiritual affirmation. With quotes from LGBTQ+ leaders, reflections on summer Pride in Vancouver, and a guided spiritual practice, this episode reminds us:

🕯️ Stillness is not apathy. It’s defiance with love.

💜 Whether you’re on a bus, at a festival, or sitting in silence at home—this is for you, queer beloved. You are heard. You are holy. And you are never alone.

✨ Highlights:

• 📖 Gospel reflection on Luke 10:38–42
• 🏳️‍🌈 Response to the LGBTQ+ hotline shutdown
• 💬 Queer testimonies of sacred listening
• 🌞 Summer reflections, Pride joy, and resistance
• 🧘 Guided spiritual practice and candle blessing
• 🙏 Final prayer and benediction

🔗 Resources mentioned:

• The Trevor Project – www.thetrevorproject.org
• Trans Lifeline – www.translifeline.org
• Queer Arts Festival Vancouver – www.queerartsfestival.com

🎧 Queer Church is a podcast where faith comes out of the closet, glitter meets theology, and the Spirit listens like a good friend.

What does it mean to be sent by Jesus exactly as we are—queer, questioning, trans, two-spirit, tired, joyful, and holy?

In this powerful episode, we explore Luke 10:1–20, where Jesus sends out 72 followers with no script, no sandals—just peace in their hands and heaven in their hearts. From the Burnaby Pride Picnic to the Kitsilano Street Party, host [Your Name] reflects on queer joy as sacred resistance, shares stories of radical belonging, and speaks directly to anyone who’s ever been told their name doesn’t belong in heaven.

We also cover:

🌈 Current queer news from Canada & the U.S.

💬 Quotes from modern queer prophets & activists

🕊️ How to shake the dust and still love loud

🧡 A tender benediction for every queer listener trying to survive and shine

Whether you’re marching, resting, recovering, or rejoicing, this episode is your reminder:

You are sent. You are sacred. And your name is already written.

🕯️ Listen now for spiritual encouragement, fierce affirmation, and a gospel big enough to hold all of you.

🌈✨ Pride, Prophets, and the Price of Freedom” ✨🌈

As Pride Month ends and the flags come down, what do we carry forward? In this week’s queer church podcast, we reflect on the stories we inherit, the rejection we face, and the freedom we fight for.

🎙️ Scriptures:

📖 2 Kings 2 – Elisha picks up Elijah’s mantle

📖 Psalm 77 – “Has God forgotten to be gracious?”

📖 Galatians 5 – “For freedom Christ has set us free”

📖 Luke 9 – Jesus walks toward rejection with holy resolve

🔥 We talk:

• Queer fatigue after Pride
• Rising LGBTQ+ hate in the U.S. and Canada
• The tension of Canada Day & July 4
• Spiritual resistance when the rainbow fades
• Real stories of slurs, strength, and survival
• What Jesus teaches us about walking forward anyway

💬 Quotes from Audre Lorde, Kate Bornstein, Yvette Flunder, and more

🙏 A full queer blessing to carry into July

This episode is for the tired, the tender, and the still-trying. You are seen. You are sacred. You are not alone.

🎧 Listen now on all platforms & share with someone who needs a word of courage today.

#QueerChurch #PrideIsNotOver #FaithfullyQueer #LGBTQChristians #CanadaDay2025 #4thofJuly2025 #SpiritualResistance #QueerFaith #ChurchWithoutWalls #Galatians5 #Luke9 #Psalm77