Last week Exodus International had its regional conference for Latin America at a nearby church. Six of us from Nexus, our church's outreach and restoration program for prostitutes, attended.
Exodus International is a controversial, worldwide ministry to persons with same-sex attraction. Why is it so controversial? Because conventional wisdom (i.e., that of the American Psychiatric Association, the gay lobby, Hollywood, and most journalists) says that gays cannot change, and they shouldn't be expected to, because, a) homosexuality is perfectly normal, b)homosexuals are born that way, and c) God made them that way. My purpose in saying this is not to ridicule or shame persons with same-sex attraction. I am, however, criticizing those institutions of our society that accept and propagate such ideas without stopping to examine them critically or consider other perspectives.
Exodus, on the other hand, teaches that, essentially, there is no such thing as a homosexual (hey, I keep trying to tell you it's highly controversial!). All of us are born heterosexuals. That's what God makes. Along the way, people sometimes develop same-sex attraction. This is a feeling. Nothing more or less. Is there any other group in our culture that lobbies for and receives civil rights based on their feelings? What society calls homosexuality is really a displaced sense of identity based on dysfunction and abuse that people suffer growing up.
Contrary to popular belief, Exodus does not try to turn gay people into straight people. The emphasis is on holiness, healing, and learning intimacy. Intimacy with God, that is. As people stop practicing homosexual behavior and heal from their hurts, some, but by no means all, stop experiencing same-sex attraction and begin to be attracted to the opposite sex. Some marry. But that is not the goal.
Ten persons who had come out of homosexuality shared their testimonies. Common threads that ran through all the testimonies were that the people had indeed changed, that they were happier now, and that, the turning point came when they found a church welcomed and did not shun them. Churches often speak of hating the sin and loving the sinner, but few seem to practice it. Evangelicals tend to hate the sin and the sinner, while liberal mainliners often seem to love the sinner and the sin.
One of the biggest things that attracted us to the church we go to here, Comunidad El Camino, is that it welcomes people "tal y como son" (just as they are) without condoning sin. Some guys come in drag. Others are completely restored from homosexuality. A dozen or so are in the process of learning to live as men. Prostitutes can show up without feeling embarrassed. Folks come in straight off of the streets. It's truly a hospital for sinners. Let's not forget that Jesus gravitated towards folks like that and away from religious folks like you and me!
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Our Churches here in the USA need to learn from this example. Jesus accepts everyone the way they are, where they are, and loves them. His love is what makes the change, and He calls us to follow his example. Nothing positive is taught by exclusion.
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of a story I heard Tony Campolo tell back when I was in college. He was attending a conference out of town, went to a local diner late at night and met some local prostitutes. He ended up throwing a birthday party for one of them, who had never had a birthday cake before, and praying with and for all of them. He shared Jesus with them in a way that an organized traditional church service never could. The real challenge is in finding that balance of meeting people where they are and still being bold enough to encourage them lovingly to change their lifestyle. It sounds like Exodus and your church have found this balance.
ReplyDeletey'know, throughout the centuries, homosexuals have played an enormous part in furthering Gods kingdom. They pursued Gods best will for them, by assuming Genesis + Leviticus were true, and that Christ was speaking -directly to them- in Matt 19: 11-12.
ReplyDeleteLooking for intimacy with God, instead of each other, they've founded orphanages, hospitals and other missions of love. They've gained families, respect, deep friendships and acceptance along the way.
The issue of whether or not they were born that way or dysfunctionality happened becomes moot.
But it -is- one of Jesus' Hard Sayings. All of us who have besetting sins can understand the difficulty of making that "best choice", inspite of our compelling personal stories and justification for our favorite sins.
We're doing a massive injustice to homosexuals who've been called to do great things for God, by trying to rewrite the bible so it's more pop culture-palatable.
Instead of giving them a pablum remix, I wish we could, as a body, state biblical truth; while giving them as much emotional support for their celibate walk with God as possible.
Anyone walking this walk could use friendly replies to their 2 am phone calls, family inclusion, companions for events, small group support, etc. I wish we could be open to giving whatever they need, to know they are loved, cherished and respected for the choice to remain celibate.
Jesus' hard words are no picnic, but the pay-off is supposed to be really swell.
;^)