We want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you who supports the work of Renewed Heart Ministries. Your generosity makes it possible for us to continue our mission of love, justice, and compassion—even in a time when ministries like ours are being called to do more with less.
Your support means the world to us. Whether we’re speaking into the broader society or engaging within our faith communities, we remain committed to advocating for a world that is inclusive, just, and safe for all. Your partnership helps keep that vision alive.
From all of us at Renewed Heart Ministries, thank you. We are so deeply grateful for you—and we couldn’t do this work without you.
If you'd like to join them in supporting our work, please go to renewedheartministries.wpcomstaging.com/ and click on "Donate.”
Betrayal: The historic and personally challenging sex discrimination case that pitted the Adventist Church against its own women.
By Merikay McLeod
As a young assistant editor at Pacific Press Publishing Association, owned by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Merikay McLeod asked manager in 1972 for wages comparable to those paid to a man doing the same work. Her husband was out of work and wanted to go to school; their car was in bad repair; and they were reduced to returning groceries for change to do the laundry. But the manager not only said, “No”; he said, “Never!” And the consequences of that “Never!” are the struggle for justice recounted in Betrayal. 
For this fortieth anniversary edition, that story last published in 1985 as BETRAYAL: The Shattering Sex Discrimination Case of Silver vs Pacific Press Publishing Assoclation (Mars Hill Publications) is revised, updated, and contextualized by a colleague, an attorney, and a historian.
“What an important book for chronicling a crucial milestone in the Adventist Church’s treatment of women! To forget is to risk further discrimination. To be reminded is to inspire commitment to the eternal values of inclusion.”—Lawrence T. Geraty PhD, President Emeritus, La Sierra University
“Countless women employees are, or should be, grateful to Merikay for the size of their paychecks. Her courage and persistence have won benefits not only for her but for innumerable others, as she wishes.”—Leona G. Running, PhD, professor emeritus, Andrews University
“Merikay’s Betrayal Is very moving, very honest, very haunting, and well written. I could not put it down. The book shows us what the pursuit of sweet justice feels like, day after day; and tells us what the price of survival is for women. Merikay isone of the heroines.”—Phyllis Chesler, PhD, author of Women & Madness
Available now at: https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/AssociationforAdventistForums/merikaybook-1.html
When Coming Out as LGBTQ Means Losing One’s Family
Part 1 of Hating One’s Family
For LGBTQ youth, acceptance at home is crucial. Rejection has devastating effects on a child’s mental health and well being.
https://www.patheos.com/blogs/socialjesus/2025/09/lgbtq-losing-ones-family/
When Solidarity Causes Division
Part 2 of Hating One’s Family
These passages describe division, the kind caused when standing with the vulnerable and marginalized and the resulting pushback.
https://www.patheos.com/blogs/socialjesus/2025/09/solidarity-causes-division/
Hating One’s Family and a More Equitable World for All
Part 3 of Hating One’s Family
In the linguistic context of the time, “hating one’s family” was often used hyperbolically to emphasize priority, not emotional hostility.
https://www.patheos.com/blogs/socialjesus/2025/09/hating-ones-family/
New Episode of The Social Jesus Podcast
A podcast where we talk about the intersection of faith and social justice and what a first century, prophet of the poor from Galilee might have to offer us today in our work of love, compassion and justice.
Season 2 Episode 36: Hating One’s Family
Luke 14:25-33
“Luke’s context is not choosing one’s religion or faith over loving and affirming a family member. The context is choosing justice and inclusion even when your privileged family rejects you for doing so. This passage is about times when standing up for those being rejected and shunned causes division from those who reject and shun others. Jesus often warned that discipleship would divide families (cf. Luke 12:49-59), not because of hatred, but because devotion to him and his vision of a just society could lead to social and relational conflict. The “hatred” that Jesus references is therefore symbolic: it represents willingness to forsake all for the sake of a more just, present world. Ultimately, the phrase challenges those on the side of justice to evaluate their priorities and confront the cost of true discipleship. It is not about rejecting family, but radically reordering love and loyalty and making justice, equity, compassion, and safety for all the supreme focus. In this light, this hyperbolic phrase becomes a powerful statement of commitment to a more just world in the face of potential rejection by a family upon whom our survival depends. It’s not a statement of cruelty or a call to reject family members if they don’t align with our religious beliefs. This difference may seem subtle, but it makes a world of difference in the work of justice.”
Available on all major podcast carriers and at:
https://the-social-jesus-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/hating-ones-family
Upcoming Events
September 20, 2025
Good News Fellowship (via Zoom)
Toronto, Ontario Canada
For info: 304.520.0030
Weekly Zoom HeartGroup on Wednesday Nights
Each Wednesday evening, Glendale City Church will be hosting a Zoom-HeartGroup led by Herb Montgomery. Our discussion each week includes the content in Renewed Heart Ministries’ weekly eSight articles, The Social Jesus podcast, and RHM’s Just Talking YouTube show. The time of each Zoom session will be on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. Pacific/10:00 p.m. Eastern.
For more information and for the link to participate each week, contact RHM here.
Finding Jesus: A Fundamentalist Preacher Discovers the Socio-Political & Economic Teachings of the Gospels
by Herb Montgomery
Available now on Amazon!
In Finding Jesus, author Herb Montgomery delves into the profound and often overlooked political dimensions of the gospels. Through meticulous analysis of biblical texts, historical context, and social discourse, this thought-provoking book unveils the gospels’ socio-political, economic teachings as rooted in a profound concern for justice, compassion, and the well-being of the marginalized. The book navigates the intersections between faith and societal justice, presenting a compelling argument for a more socially engaged and transformative Christianity.
Finding Jesus is not just a scholarly exploration; it is a call to action. It challenges readers to reevaluate their understanding of Christianity’s role in public life and to consider how the radical teachings of the gospels can inspire a renewed commitment to justice, equality, and compassion. This book is a must-read for those seeking a deeper understanding of the social implications of Christian faith and a blueprint for building a more just and inclusive society.
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