Shameless Theology S1:09 Radical Inclusion: Redefining Religious Borders w/ Rev. Yadi Martínez-Reyna

What does it mean to create a church that includes everyone? From marginalized youth, to underprivileged families, all the way to the virtual realm where those who can't attend in person worship can find community online?In this vibrant episode, host Reverend Sex and guest Yadi Martínez-Reyna explore unique facets of ministry with a focus on queer inclusion and creative solutions. The conversation dives into personal experiences of advocacy, the creation of safe spaces for LGBTQ+ youth, and radically inclusive practices within both real and virtual communities. Rev. Yadi shares their journey from a conservative upbringing in Texas to becoming a prominent figure in youth ministry and an ordained pastor in the virtual realm of Second Life. The episode highlights the innovative approaches used to support marginalized youth and the significance of providing inclusive spiritual care. Additionally, it touches on the personal challenges and rewards of raising a grandchild and re-learning approaches to education and parenting. Listeners are invited to reflect on the profound impact of community, radical authenticity, and creative adaptability.00:35 Identity and Shamelessness02:26 Life on the Border04:30 Challenges in Youth Ministry05:41 Innovative Youth Ministry Approaches11:13 Creating Safe Spaces for LGBTQ+ Youth21:03 Navigating Ministry in a Virtual World31:36 A Unique Baptism Experience32:50 Virtual Reality and Accessibility35:05 Memorials in Virtual Worlds37:06 Continuing a Legacy45:41 The Role of a Virtual Pastor48:07 Personal Reflections and Family Life56:06 Ancestral Wisdom and GratitudeThe Rev. Yadi Martínez-Reyna (M.Div.) is bilingual Latinx gender non-binary artist, a borderlander, a certified Spiritual Director, and founder of Color Splash Out, a non-profit organization dedicated to creating safe and brave spaces for LGBTQ+ Youth and their ally friends. Rev. Yadi is a co-pastor at First UCC in Second Life (firstuccsl.org), a virtual church with real standing in the Southern California Nevada Conference of the United Church of Christ. Hosted by Rev. Sex (Rev. Alba Onofrio - Executive Director of Soulforce), this podcast channel offers connection, reflection, and community for anyone feeling spiritually marginalized or exiled but still resiliently faithful while centering dialogue on Queer, trans, and feminist theology.TSV seeks to decolonize faith, mixing theological education with real-life experiences to support human rights and liberation. Initially launched in Spanish, TSV addresses the monopolization of religious discourse by the far right. The platform gathers people of diverse Christian denominations, pastors, activists, and scholars to discuss gender identity, sex, and pleasure in the context of faith, aiming to heal the wounds of colonizing religion and create a welcoming space for topics often considered taboo in religious spaces. For the first time, Teología Sin Vergüenza is now in English.Join in our community of Sinvergüenzas by visiting our Teología Sin Vergüenza homepage or our Spanish WhatsApp Lista de Difusión. If you’d like to support this cutting-edge movement of ferocious Latinx power building, please make a donation.https://soulforce.org/donate/Find episode transcripts at https://soulforce.org/podcast/