And the Spirit Led Me

This book is a must read for anyone whose church is struggling with the issue of homosexuality. It is the story of a part-time seminary student and church bulletin stuffer, who successfully challenged the old and refuted science in the Episcopal Church's theological explanation for consecrating a partnered gay bishop. Further, it is only as her own faith grew that she was given a voice to tell the leaders of the worldwide Anglican Communion what she has learned. But first she had to learn how to forgive those who had injured her as she lived in an angry, polarized church. And even as she was called forward, she was plagued by eerily timed deaths and a life threatening illness. While that happened, she made shocking discoveries about the politics in our society that masquerades as science, and even more shocking discoveries of underhanded politics in the church.

But this story is not just a documentary of a failing church. It is a warning and ultimately an encouragement regarding the effects of culture wars in the church. A failure to live in community first and to engage in honest, respectful theological discernment is destroying a denomination and threatening a worldwide church. But the story also shows God's amazing ability to offer new life to the faithful in the face of difficult and destructive circumstances.