Baptist Youth Pastors and Pastoral Care for lgbtqia+ Youth

Abstract lgbtqia + youth are at higher risk of suicide, homelessness, familial rejection, and various prejudices due to their sexual or gender orientation. This means that lgbtqia + youth can have greater pastoral care needs than their non- lgbtqia + peers. However, this study of Baptist youth pastors in Aotearoa/New Zealand reveals youth pastors feel unsupported and desire education, as they currently feel unaware of how to resolve some of the greater pastoral care needs of lgbtqia + youth. Through semi-structured interviews, the Baptist youth pastors interviewed discussed concerns around pastoral care, the conflict that the Church has around lgbtqia +, and the lack of training and education on the topic of lgbtqia +. All the youth pastors interviewed expressed a desire to see change in the resourcing, training, education, attitudes, and beliefs about lgbtqia +.