Sexuality: The Inclusive Church Resource

I'm delighted to announce that the new book Sexuality: The Inclusive Church Resource, to which I've contributed a theological section, has now been published by Darton, Longman and Todd. The book is part of a series which Inclusive Church has put together on its core areas of work, including Disability, Mental Health, Poverty, Ethnicity and Gender. These small books are pitched and priced to be accessible to a wide range of congregations and others interested in the debates.

From the DLT website:

"The Inclusive Church Resources aim to educate, to reflect theologically and to provide practical advice and guidance. Each book contains first-hand personal experiences of people from the marginalised group, a theological reflection and a resource section containing addresses, websites and practical advice on improving your church’s inclusivity."

As well as my section, the Sexuality book includes personal reflections by four people: Jo Ind, whose 2003 book Memories of Bliss: God, Sex and Us is one of the most accessible texts on theology and sexuality I know and is one I've used lots in teaching; a bisexual Christian called Sarah; a trans Christian called Claire; and Martin Hazell, a URC minister. The book also includes a resources section compiled by Sharon Ferguson, the former CEO of LGCM (the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement). 

The Very Revd Jeffrey John, the Dean of St Albans, writes of my section,

"Cornwall deals magisterially with conservative objections to same-sex marriage on the grounds of procreation and biology. She also insists that 'good disagreement' in the church is impossible without honestly confronting the anti-LGBT hatred and violence which are endemic in so much of it. This is a perceptive and powerful commentary on a debate which should have been concluded years ago." (2014: 54)

Unfortunately I couldn't attend the book launch at St Mark's church in Mansfield earlier this week, but I'm very pleased indeed to have been involved in this brilliant project, and grateful to Bob Callaghan, Simon Sarmiento and others for making it happen.