The growth of LGBT-affirming churches

Around Nashville, more and more churches are becoming LGBTQ-affirming. According to the website Gay Church, affirming congregations — also known as reconciling or welcoming — have increased by more than 50 percent in Nashville over the past decade. That reflects a national trend.

For some Nashville churches, the mission goes well beyond welcoming, centering LGBTQ people in worship and leadership. What does LGBTQ-affirming church look like in Nashville? We explore what it means for the religious culture of our city.

But first, we respond to listener feedback in our weekly @Us segment.

Guests:

• Rev. Dawn Bennett, pastor at Table Nashville

• Steven Adair, worship and communications at Glendale United Methodist Church

• Eric Patton, minister specializing in LGBTQ weddings

• Kashif Andrew Graham, outreach librarian for religion and theology for Vanderbilt Divinity Library

• Lóre Stevens, MDiv, intern pastor at First Universalist Church of Minneapolis