Introducing the ministry of Other Sheep

to the pastors of theChristian community of Nepal

July 5, 2009Cinderella Party Palace

Manbhawan, Lalitpur, Kathmandu

3:00pm – 6:00pmJohn 10:16a

“And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring.”

The Inclusive Shepherd

Other Sheep Other Sheep in Nepalin Nepal

What is Other Sheep?

Other Sheep is • a multi-cultural, ecumenical Christian ministry • that works worldwide • for the full inclusion of LGBT people of faith within their respective faith traditions.

John 10:16a

“And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring.”

The Inclusive Shepherd

Created byCreated by Rev. Stephen Parelli, Rev. Stephen Parelli, Exec Direc of Other SheepExec Direc of Other Sheep

What does Other Sheep do?

“…connecting people with people and people with resources…”

John 10:16a

“And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring.”

The Inclusive Shepherd

peoplepeople

resources

How does Other Sheep work?

“…connecting people with people and people with resources…”

people resources connecting

• churches – affirming and welcoming• individuals – gay and straight Christians• LGBT groups and societies

• educational materials• denominational agencies• independent fellowships• grant writing

• Internet – surfing for gay Christians and allies• In person – seminars, one-on-one

How does Other Sheep work?

“…connecting people with people and people with resources…”

Other Sheep Founder

Rev. Dr. Thomas Hanks, author,

missionary, professor in OT

Hebrew, founder of Other Sheep,

1992.

“. . . since we arrived in Buenos Aires 3 years ago (1986), I have been grappling more in depth with the meaning of the Gospel for oppressed sexual minorities (gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, etc.), who easily number more than 3 million in greater Buenos Aires (with its population of some 10 million). [con’t on next slide]

The History of Other Sheep

Rev. Dr. Thomas Hanks, author,

missionary, professor in OT

Hebrew, founder of Other Sheep,

1992.

[con’t from previous slide]

“Traditional evangelical approaches, imposing the nuclear family as the norm (despite Jesus and Paul’s liberating examples and teaching), leave such minorities untouched and alienated.

The History of Other Sheep

Rev. Dr. Thomas Hanks, author,

missionary, professor in OT

Hebrew, founder of Other Sheep,

1992.

[con’t from previous slide]

“Growing involvement in ministry confirmed tentative conclusions already reached from extensive reading and study of Scripture—that traditional evangelical (and Catholic) approaches were tragically flawed and producing disastrous results.”

Rev. Dr. Thomas HanksAuthor

Additional writings by Tom Hanks can be read and downloaded from

Other Sheep website

Contributed Romans and Hebrews

Writings you will find on Other Sheep website by Tom Hanks

• Seven case studies in the torture of biblical texts: – Gen 19, Sodom and Gomorrah– Matt 10; Lk 10, Sodom in Jesus’ teaching– Jude (the brother of Jesus): Sodom again– Deut 23, “Sodomites” in five Hebrew

Scriptures?– Also, Lev. 18 & 20; I Cor. 6; I Tim 1; Rom.

1:26-27

• The Bible, Sex, And Ideological Fundamentalism

• A Gay Apostle’s Queer Epistle for a Peculiar People: Romans 1:24-27 in its context

• From Sodom the place (Gen. 19) to Sodomy the sin (1000A.D.)

• Deconstructing our Homophobia; with Paul in Romans

Writings you will find on Other Sheep website by Tom Hanks

Writings on Other Sheep web site by Jim Miller

• Sexuality and Gender• Unclean Emissions• Lev. 18 & 20• Virgins, Prostitutes and Concubines• Procreation values, Polygamy and

Levirate Marriage• Paul on Sexual Needs• …and additional studies by Miller

Writings on Other Sheep web site by Rev. Steve Parelli

• The Bible and Homosexuality – a PowerPoint presentation with handout notes

• “Ex-gay” movement – how the evangelical faith is NOT changing homosexuals

• Same-sex marriage: why it’s ok

• Personal and biographical

• Spiritual/Sermons