About Ready to Answer
“Always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks you about the hope you have.” 1 Peter 3:15 (NIRV)
Ready to Answer exists to offer explicitly Christian, explicitly LGBTQ+-affirming pastoral care for those who have been harmed by religion, misunderstood by the church, or forced to choose between faith and integrity.
This work takes Scripture seriously—without weaponizing it. It is grounded in careful biblical interpretation, respect for lived experience, and the conviction that faith should lead to healing rather than fear.
Many people who seek pastoral counseling here carry deep questions about God, the Bible, and the teachings they were told were “non-negotiable.” Ready to Answer offers a space where those questions can be explored honestly, without pressure, shame, or predetermined outcomes.
Rev. Marilyn Bowens is a retired pastor and former law professor with decades of experience teaching, counseling, and guiding people through complex moral and theological questions.
Her pastoral work is shaped by long experience in Christian ministry, rigorous engagement with Scripture, and deep respect for the lived realities of LGBTQ+ Christians and others harmed by rigid or fear-based theology.
Rev. Bowens offers pastoral counseling, not licensed psychotherapy. This work focuses on spiritual care, theological reflection, and healing from religion-based harm in a confidential, online setting.
If you are seeking a thoughtful, non-condemning space to engage faith questions honestly, you are welcome here.