A review by retroskyfirefly
Heavy Burdens: Seven Ways LGBTQ Christians Experience Harm in the Church by Bridget Eileen Rivera
5.0
Powerful. Contemplative. Heart-breaking. Vital. These are just a few words to describe Rivera's debut book, Heavy Burdens. Instead of attempting to convince the reader to take a side on the issue of gay marriage, Rivera encourages the reader to reconsider attitudes and behaviors within the church toward our LGBTQ brothers and sisters. A combination of personal testimony, church history, data from studies, stories from members of the LGBTQ community, and compelling questions will encourage the reader to re-examine long-held, harmful beliefs about LGBTQ individuals and provide inspiration for change.
Pastor, author, and speaker Osheta Moore says, "When I make space for storytelling...we become disarmed. I can hear the humanity in them and hopefully they'll hear the humanity in me." (Dear White Peacemakers, 2021) And that's really what Rivera has done with this book - she has invited her readers to view the humanity and belovedness of our fellow image-bearers and to offer them the same grace, love, and mercy that is so easily extended to heterosexual members of faith communities.
I would recommend this book to anyone who seeks to be more like Christ, and honestly feel that it should be required reading for anyone who holds a leadership position within the church.
Pastor, author, and speaker Osheta Moore says, "When I make space for storytelling...we become disarmed. I can hear the humanity in them and hopefully they'll hear the humanity in me." (Dear White Peacemakers, 2021) And that's really what Rivera has done with this book - she has invited her readers to view the humanity and belovedness of our fellow image-bearers and to offer them the same grace, love, and mercy that is so easily extended to heterosexual members of faith communities.
I would recommend this book to anyone who seeks to be more like Christ, and honestly feel that it should be required reading for anyone who holds a leadership position within the church.