Clinical Implications for Helping Professionals Learned from the Pastoral Care of LGBTQ+ Youth

Bibliographic Data

ID20249607
AuthorsJohn Willis Ward (0000-0002-7072-6486, Belmont University, corresponding author), HEATHER E DEAL (0000-0003-4033-8287, Binghamton University), Heather Deal, Gaynor Yancey (0000-0002-8562-1468, Baylor University)
Year2025
Volume16
Issue12
Pages1556
Publication date2025-12-10
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueReligions (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2077-1444 • E-ISSN: 2077-1444
PublisherMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/rel16121556
OpenAlexW4417193095
LanguageEN
References cited14

This qualitative article is informed by queer theory, and more specifically queer theology, and explores how youth ministers in various denominations care for LGBTQ+ teenagers in their congregations. Seven youth pastors from three major denominational groups were interviewed from the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF), Alliance of Baptists, and Presbyterian Church, USA (PC-USA). Participants had to identify as LGBTQ+ affirming, though their congregations could be in various states of affirmation. Thematic analysis found the following significant categories: confidentiality, implications of whole church engagement, student-led engagement, theology/image of God, and degree of support for identity development

Alliance · Pastoral care · Qualitative research · Queer · Thematic analysis · African Sexualities and LGBTQ+ Issues · LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy · Theological Perspectives and Practices