A Masterclass from
Dr. Elizabeth Woning & Ken Williams
About This Masterclass
When someone trusts you with their story, how do you respond?
A conversation about sexuality or gender can carry years of questions, deeply held beliefs, and a longing to be understood. For pastors and ministry leaders, responding thoughtfully begins with recognizing the person who has trusted you enough to share.
In Pastoring LGBTQ, Ken Williams and Dr. Elizabeth Woning invite you into a deeper, more thoughtful approach to discipling people navigating questions of sexuality and gender identity—one rooted in Scripture, shaped by love, and strengthened through real pastoral experience.
Because this isn’t just a cultural issue—it’s a discipleship opportunity. And how you lead in this area will shape the safety, depth, and integrity of your community.
Lean in. Lead like Jesus—full of grace and truth.
What you'll learn in this class....
- Listening to personal stories and building trust in sensitive conversations.
- Understanding Jesus’ example in ministry and discipleship.
- How biblical interpretation informs the view of marriage and sexuality.
- Exploring a theological understanding of the body and gender identity.
- Engage complex conversations with clarity, grace, and confidence.
- Build a church culture that is both truthful and tender.
- Shepherd people toward identity, freedom, and transformation.
- Lead with both conviction and compassion—without tension tearing them apart
Sessions: 5 | Length: 4hrs 1min
Session 1: Pastoring with Love and Truth
72 min
How do you keep a person’s story at the heart of a difficult conversation? Ken and Elizabeth share the experiences behind their ministry and explore how listening, relationship, and their biblical convictions shape their approach to pastoring LGBTQ people.
Session 2: Jesus at the Center
43 min
How does the way Jesus met people shape your approach to pastoral care? Explore the teachers’ understanding of His compassion, repentance, and relationship with the Father—and how to apply these themes to conversations about faith and sexuality.
Session 3: Discipleship, Wholeness & the Father’s Heart
49 min
What does ongoing care look like after someone opens up about their deepest questions? Explore a fresh framework for discipleship, forgiveness, and identity, including the place of trusted relationships, confidentiality, and professional support.
Session 4: Returning to God’s Design
32 min
How do you talk about biblical convictions when the conversation is deeply personal? Explore what Scripture has to say regarding marriage, sexuality, and the body.
Session 5: Understanding Transgenderism
45 min
Where do you begin when someone brings you questions about gender and faith? Hear the teachers’ perspective on gender identity, gender dysphoria, and transition, and explore how theological convictions can inform your approach to these conversations.
Join the Conversation
Share insights, ask questions, and connect with other members.
Session Notes
Review key insights and reflect on what you’re learning.
Learn at Your Pace
Make room to grow with teaching that fits your schedule.
Faith for Everyday Life
Find encouragement for the people and places God has entrusted to you.
About the Teachers
Ken Williams brings a personal history of wrestling with sexuality, faith, shame, and belonging to his work as a pastor, author, and speaker. He describes how experiences of relationship with God shaped his understanding of himself and the direction of his ministry.
Dr. Elizabeth Woning’s work brings together theological study, pastoral experience, and a personal journey of faith. She attended a Presbyterian Church (USA) seminary while openly identifying as lesbian and later described an encounter with Jesus that changed her beliefs and the course of her life.
The CHANGED Movement was founded by Ken Williams and Dr. Elizabeth Woning to highlight the beautiful and compelling stories of men and women whose journeys with Jesus drew them out of LGBTQ. Overseeing the growing CHANGED Movement, they work to open doors of dialogue that offer insight into the complexity of LGBTQ identity and seek to protect alternatives to that subculture.
You May Also Enjoy
Grow in faith.
Live what you learn.
Frequently Asked Questions
Someone in my church has opened up about their sexuality or gender. Is this class relevant to that conversation?
Yes. The class addresses questions that can arise when someone shares this part of their life with a pastor or trusted leader. Ken and Elizabeth discuss listening, personal connection, and ongoing discipleship while approaching the person’s story with care and respect.
How can I stay connected with someone when we understand Scripture differently?
That tension can feel especially personal when you care deeply about the relationship. The class explores how to approach compassion and conviction together, seeking to maintain listening and personal connection as the priority. It provides a starting point for reflection on how you communicate your beliefs while honoring another person’s dignity and freedom to disagree.
What is Bethel Leaders Network?
Bethel Leaders Network (BLN) is an expression of the Bethel Church family in Redding, California. Our heart is to connect, encourage, and equip leaders to live out Kingdom culture and see God move in their homes, workplaces, churches, and communities. Through resources and opportunities for meaningful connection, we help people grow in their walk with God and in what He has called them to carry.
Who are these masterclasses for?
If you’re hungry to grow in your relationship with God and bring His heart into everyday life, these masterclasses are for you. Whether you’re raising a family, leading a church, building a business, or serving your community, our hope is that you leave encouraged and equipped for where God has placed you. You don’t need a leadership title to have an impact.
How much does it cost to access the masterclasses?
Our masterclasses are included in all three memberships, so you can choose the support and connection that best fit your season:
- BLN Learn — $12/month or $120/year: Grow at your own pace with access to our library of 40+ masterclasses and new content added monthly.
- BLN Engage — $37/month: Enjoy everything in Learn, plus community, sphere-specific mentors, learning pathways, and live calls to encourage you along the way.
- BLN Influence — suggested contribution of $225/month: Receive everything in Engage, plus personal connection, coaching, and pastoral support for senior leaders and their spouses. An application is required, with a $200 non-refundable application fee.
Can I watch at my own pace?
Absolutely. You can watch on demand through the BLN platform on the web or mobile app throughout your active membership. Make space in a rhythm that works for you, pause to reflect, and return to a session as you put what you’re discovering into practice.
How do I get started?
Select “Get Started” to explore our memberships and choose the one that best suits your season and the ways you’d like to grow. You can join Learn or Engage directly, or apply for Influence if you’re a senior leader seeking deeper connection and support.
