Flourish: An Open and Relational Queer Theology

What happens when theology moves beyond rigid dogma and embraces the radical power of love, consent, and mutuality? Flourish is a groundbreaking exploration of how open and relational theology and queer theology intersect to foster a faith that is affirming, inclusive, and transformative.

Drawing on real stories from queer students and friends, this book confronts the failures of traditional Christianity and reimagines a theology rooted in liberation, thriving, and flourishing for all people. With a blend of personal reflection, theological insight, and practical wisdom, Flourish invites readers to step into a more compassionate and dynamic vision of faith—one that celebrates diversity, empowers the marginalized, and inspires hope for a better world.

Perfect for theologians, educators, LGBTQ+ advocates, and anyone seeking a more loving, justice-centered spirituality, Flourish offers a bold and beautiful path forward.

Discover how faith can truly flourish—for you, for your community, and for the world

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My friends and students have been rejected by their churches and families because of traditionally held beliefs about God and people—this book offers a more theologically sound framework.

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Let’s get word out! 

Flourish, An Open and Relational Queer Theology defines queer and open and relational theologies. 

This project started when I met a young teacher at the National Conference for Teachers of English (NCTE). The theme that year was Confluencia! — which highlighted intersections of identity within literature and teaching. Many of the forums and lectures were aimed at LGBTQIA+ inclusion. This teacher, I will call her Megan, thought that there were too many sessions about queer identities. 

In my 20+ years of teaching English, I have only taught a few books with queer characters. I have had very little Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion training. 

Megan said she didn’t have any gay students in her class. This is a bold statement, so I asked how she could be certain. Megan and I shared with each other at some point during this conversation that we are both church-going Christians, and for her this meant that she didn’t want to know if a student identified as queer. She does not affirm queer identities because of her faith. I explained that it IS because of my faith that I do affirm people. 

What if NCTE was God’s invitation to think differently about teaching as a ministry and this conference helps equip us to be best prepared to meet our students and provide relevant, less-harmful teaching practices in our classrooms? 

This book answers this question. 

I tell stories of my students that led me to be queer affirming. Many of these students and friends have been rejected by their families and churches, so for many of them, school is the safest place. But we don’t provide many opportunities for students to see queer people as anything other than objects of hate, mistreatment, and neglect. They do not see queer people thriving and flourishing in the literature that most schools choose or allow in their curriculum. 

Flourish demonstrates a different way of thinking. 

I show how traditional Christian beliefs portray God as punisher of sin, all-controlling, all-powerful, and all-judging. It’s hard to please God. What if God is nurturing rather than authoritative? What if God cares about people and their identities? What if freedom to exist and love is intertwined in every aspect of the relationship between humanity and God? 

I give answers to these questions. 

Megan got to her flight and we became friends on social media so that she could continue to save my soul from the fiery of pits of hell. I wrote a book that I hope she sees and reads since that conversation is the one that made me hopeful that teachers can do better for their students. 

I have a former student, I will call them Carl. I knew Carl when she was Carly. She had a very goofy personality. One of my favorite seventh graders. She was short and bubbly and eager to learn. She enjoyed my teaching, but she really enjoyed the times I preached in chapel. Not many people talk about a loving God the way I do. She had lots of friends at this school, but most of them rejected her when she came out as a lesbian. Most of her friends and family told them they would pray that they don’t choose to live in sin. Carl shortened their name (I use they/them pronouns for Carl because while we are friends on social media, we have lost touch). I have tried to reach out, but I think there is too much harm that has been caused by the school, church, family, and friends to be able to relive those experiences. I hope Carl sees this though and knows that I care now and I cared then and I wished I had been the teacher then that I am now. 

I had to experience that pangs of awakening. It’s not easy to shift a way of thinking, though I would have been open then, I wouldn’t have known how to protect Carl from teachers and friends at school. I would have been safe and I would have loved them the same and I would have listened to their story. But I was fired for being too progressive before they came out. For that, I am writing a different book about my failures. 

Flourish is the book I wish I had read back then, but it’s not too late to learn how to actively care better. 

I hope this books helps! 

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