A panel consisting of a mental-health counselor, a former lesbian now mother of three and three men who consider themselves “ex-gays” held a press conference in Orlando, Fla., July 22 to promote “freedom from homosexuality through the power of Jesus Christ.”
The press conference was part of the annual conference of Exodus International, a Christian group that says reorientation of same-sex attraction is possible based on a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The group says gays can learn to resist same-sex temptation and find their “identity” in Jesus rather than in the homosexual lifestyle.
About 1,000 participants spent five days in Orlando attending workshops, worshiping and listening to speeches. Topics included same-sex attraction, family support, transsexual issues and ministering to gays.
Exodus proponents say working through underlying relational and abuse problems plays a large part in the process of change.
“Christ offers a healing alternative to those with homosexual tendencies,” an Exodus mission statement says. “The individual is freed to know and experience true identity as discovered in Christ and His church.”
The panel also spoke about the changing role of Exodus, a 28-year-old interdenominational nonprofit organization, which now wants to teach the larger church how to minister to gays.
“For many years Exodus has been an organization working with the individual,” said former gay Alan Chambers, executive director of Exodus International of North America.
“We believe in this day and age it is important to educate the church. Our desire is to be within the body of Christ to take the lack of information and present research and studies … to equip an army of believers.”
Fueled by events like the recent Supreme Court decision to overthrow anti-sodomy laws, the debate about the role of homosexuals in the church has become increasingly volatile. Groups like Exodus say they can help bring unity to the church.
Joe Dallas, an ex-gay and author of “Desires in Conflict,” said the sodomy ruling and recent legalization of gay marriage in Canada represent cultural changes that call for response.
“When a culture experiences a change, millions of people look to their spiritual leaders to see whether the change should be celebrated or a cause of concern,” Dallas said.
“We are helping to call the church to a balance … that involves compassion and conviction in equal force,” he continued. (ABP)
Share with others: