Vicky Beeching was the darling of the Christian worship scene. For a decade she wrote hit albums and toured American mega-churches, leading worship for thousands of people every week. Her songs become some of the most sung around the world. But from the age of 13 Vicky had kept a secret. She was gay.

When finally at the age of 35 she came out, the evangelical Church she loved turned on her. Boycotting her music, they ended her career over night. This was backed up with an unrelenting flood of online abuse.

We chat with Vicky about the importance of wholeness, vulnerability, authenticity and the radical and inclusive love of Jesus.

After the interview Nomad hosts Tim Nash and Jemimah McAlpine reflect on Vicky’s story and on their own journey towards an affirming theology.

Interview begins at 8m 2s

Image by Nicholas Dawkes. Used with permission.

BOOKS

Undivided: Coming Out, Becoming Whole, and Living Free From Shame

QUOTES

“I think part of what I want to raise awareness with this book is that often people step out in church leadership and say things to people without any thought of the pastoral implications on people’s mental health and the damage of that. And that might a truth that the Bible states, but it was not the right truth to say to me at that moment in that way.”

“The only way I’ve been able to actually keep my faith is to be able to separate the church from God and to realize that actually God hasn’t damaged me. God hasn’t, you know, thrown shame and hatred at me. Actually, the things that have happened to me that have been really painful have been by the church and by people that I think don’t represent the true message of Jesus, which I think is love and welcome and inclusivity. It’s when I hang onto that kind of Christianity – that is my faith.”