Rebecca McLaughlin on the Timeless Wisdom of Christian Sexual Ethics, a Gospel-Shaped Vision of Singleness, and the Offence of the Gospel in a Post-Christian World

In a time when Christian sexual ethics are increasingly seen not just as outdated but as morally offensive, how can pastors lead with both clarity and compassion? In this conversation, author and apologist Rebecca McLaughlin engages with questions around Christian sexual ethics and makes a case for why the Christian story is ultimately good news for everyone. Rebecca reflects on how the cultural conversation surrounding Christian apologetics has shifted over the last two decades, from intellectual skepticism to moral resistance and she explores how the Church can respond to increasing secularism without losing its moral conviction or its tenderness.

• Rebecca explores key challenges and opportunities facing pastors today including: 

• Articulating historic Christian beliefs on sexuality and gender in ways that draw people toward Jesus with both conviction and compassion,
• Reframing singleness as a vital, gospel-shaped calling, not a transitional or secondary state,
• Recovering a vision of Christian marriage and singleness as signposts pointing to Christ and His love for the Church,
• Recognizing that today’s cultural objections often reveal a deeper hunger for love, identity, and belonging that only the gospel can satisfy.

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• Rebecca is bold and gracious, bringing sharp cultural insight, theological depth, and a pastoral sensitivity to the conversation. You’ll be encouraged to lead with both truth and tenderness, and to see even the hardest conversations as opportunities to point people to Jesus.
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• Show Notes:

• ⁠Rebecca's Website and Books⁠⁠⁠
• The Pastorate Podcast Listener Survey⁠⁠⁠
• Fall 2025 Pastors Retreat at Barnabas Landing⁠⁠
• The Pastorate Careers

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• Partners:

• Contact ⁠John Wright at Generis⁠ for help cultivating a culture of generosity in your church.
• We couldn’t do the work we do at The Pastorate without your generous support. We invite you to pray, share, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠give⁠⁠⁠⁠ towards seeding a hope-filled future for the Canadian church.