A Table for All: How I Came to Understand That the Gospel Means Full Inclusion of Gays and Lesbians

In six brief chapters Chris Neufeld-Erdman sketches the contours of a way Christians can travel the challenging road before us. He thoughtfully argues for a path toward full inclusion of gays and lesbians in the life of the church, but does so in a way that doesn't insist on acceptance of his views. Rather, he charts his own journey of change as well as the way his diverse congregation engaged in real dialog. By engaging the Bible, history, mission, theology, and personal experience, he invites readers to do the same. A veteran pastor, Neufeld-Erdman writes for ordinary Christians, giving readers the feel of being in a conversation around a table of friends who like each other even though they don't all agree. At a time when major denominations are struggling to find ways to engage in constructive dialog, this book may well help struggling congregations and concerned readers find a way forward. The book includes an extended study guide for personal reflection and group exploration. ""We need lots of help in thinking through the subject of full inclusion of all people in Christ's body, the church. Chris Neufeld-Erdman gives us a pastoral perspective on this contentious subject. His journey is one many church leaders must take if we are to be faithful leaders of a church with a truly open and welcoming table."" --William Willimon, United Methodist Bishop, retired, Professor of the Practice of Christian Ministry, Duke Divinity School, Durham, NC ""I'm grateful for the serious way Chris and his congregation engage Scripture as a living tradition. Chris builds bridges between the ancient world in which Scripture first emerged and our postmodern world. This book makes you both think and feel--which can only strengthen the witness of the church to God's liberating good news of the gospel."" --Shannon J. Kershner, Senior Pastor, Fourth Presbyterian Church, Chicago, IL ""Prophetic, insightful, and thoroughly gracious. Following the noblest tradition of Christianity, A Table for All opens a door too long barred. If your church has tiptoed around the issues of homosexuality and marriage equality, this book is as fine a conversation starter as any I've read."" --Philip Gulley, Quaker pastor, Danville, IN ""Instead of keeping difficult conversations off the table or pushing thosemost impacted by them under the table, Chris Neufeld-Erdman draws upon religious history, biblical exegesis, and personal experience to put them on the table. Then he invites us all to sit, share, and sort out how to make space for each other so we can relate and flourish as a full family of faith."" --Sharon Stanley-Rea, Director, Refugee & Immigration Ministries, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Washington, DC ""A Table for All delivers an objective and scriptural focus on how gays and lesbians fit into the plan of God. Neufeld-Erdman's work ties together history and Scripture for a comprehensive view of Christ's mission. The result is a read--or really a debate--that engages us to think and re-think a topic we might have thought we'd mastered."" --TIMOTHY PESTOTNIK Partner, Pestotnik + Gold LLP, Attorneys at Law, San Diego, CA ""The more books we have that testify to the full inclusion of GLBT persons in the church, the better. And the better books we have, the better. If they're written by thoughtful, reflective pastors, all the better. Chris Neufeld-Erdman has joined the rising chorus of church leaders calling for marriage equality and full inclusion. This is a highly readable, small group friendly book, and I heartily recommend it."" --TONY JONES Theologian and the author of Did God Kill Jesus? ""Neufeld-Erdman invites those who embrace biblical authority to journey with him as he comes to a new understanding of God's hospitality. Along the way, he extends a special welcome to those who disagree with his conclusions about God's inclusion of same-gender couples within the marriage covenant. This makes the book a helpful conversation starter fo

Chris Neufeld-Erdman (Dmin, Columbia Theological Seminary) was formerly the pastor of University Presbyterian Church, Fresno, California. He is now the pastor of Davis Community Church, in Davis, California. He is the author of several books, including Ordinary Preacher/Extraordinary Gospel: A Daily Guide for Wise, Empowered Preachers (2014).