I returned from the Marriage, Family Life, and Sexual Health Conference with 49 index cards – each card offering a question about homosexuality by an individual or family in attendance for the one-day conference. Of the 49 cards, 7 of the cards posed questions related to, “How does one resolve the issue of same-sex attraction?” The remaining 42 cards all focused upon, “How do I reach out to my gay-identified friend or family member with love, mercy, gentleness, and compassion while not compromising the truth and clarity of Scripture with regard to homosexual practice?”
Based upon my travels through churches of various denominations here in America and overseas, congregation members are not being equipped and educated on the complexities of same-sex attraction and related issues, and as a result are paying a very high price, if not feeling like failures. As one man shared with me at a recent conference, “We’re getting slammed due to a lack of knowledge and practical tools that would help us be more effective in reasoning with and reaching those that promote the ‘gay is good’ notion.”
It is an undeniable fact that homosexual activists are highly organized, have a strategic plan, and are gaining public acceptance with regard to their beliefs and cause. Today, with everyone knowing at least one person who experiences same-sex attraction, why are we, the Church, still so ill-equipped to help those who are being held captive by the brokenness of same-sex attraction? Especially, with regard to congregation members that are clearly and undeniably hungry to be educated and equipped.
Today, not only are believers falling into homosexual sin and legitimizing it but many within the uninformed Church are applauding them as they do. Laws are being changed, homosexual marriage is marching from state to state and nation to nation. Educational systems are becoming more tolerant of homosexual practice by falsely teaching pro-homosexual lessons through health education curriculum. And, far too many churches and Christian organizations are giving a friendly nod to gay ideology, making Isaiah’s famous warning more relevant than ever:
“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness” (Isaiah 5:20).
Clearly, we, the Church, need to acknowledge and address our own dysfunctionality of not complying with the Gospel. Or, permit me to say it this way…
If we are not educating and equipping the Church with practical tools to be more effective in reaching those with unwanted same-sex attraction and offering ministry to those with unwanted same-sex attraction, we are not fulfilling The Great Commission.
I believe any concerned individual who cares enough to be educated on the subject of homosexuality is then more than able to introduce the ministry of transformation to a local congregation. We, the Church, must be a witness to society that we are educated on the brokenness of same-sex attraction and we can also discuss and even debate this issue in love so that the Church will be a model for reconciliation with God and with others.
Personally, I remain concerned we the Church are often more concerned about “those out there” who are suffering injustice than we appear to be concerned about our own who are suffering the needless pain that this life can sometimes bring. We can not hold back needed ministry because of the objections of a few.
We must affirm the biblical position that God loves all people, that homosexual practice is one sin among many and that the Holy Spirit is available to transform all persons – including homosexual persons.
We must minister to persons struggling with homosexuality, their families, and all others affected by homosexuality as partners in Christ’s work of healing while integrating all persons striving to live as faithful disciples of Jesus Christ into full membership in the local church.
While we, in and of ourselves cannot promise healing to any person, even though we are convinced that God can and does heal many, we must continue to see the Body of Christ as the primary agent for any and all transformation. The ministry of hope, healing, wholeness, and transformation takes place in the Body of Christ, The Church.
It is imperative the Body of Christ stand against current trends in today’s society that have and continue to distort human sexuality as God intended and created it.
In the end, we will be successful by extending a ministry solution. We are individually and collectively part of God’s plan by offering the ministry of transformation and humbly realizing God has called us to partner with Him in His plan.
What a privilege. What an honor. What a responsibility.
“…where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” (2 Corinthians 3:17).
For a selection of Educational Workshops offered by His Way Out Ministries, please visit hiswayout.com/educational-workshops
Pastor Phillip Lee
Executive Director
His Way Out Ministries
His Way Out has been faithfully ministering to men and women seeking a way out of sexually broken lifestyles since 1994. We could not do it without the support of Christians like you. Every dollar that you give to His Way Out Ministries helps to further this vital ministry. Won’t you take a minute to prayerfully consider a monthly donation to His Way Out? Please consider making a one-time donation or set up a secure monthly PayPal contribution on our donation page at https://www.hiswayout.com/donate/. Thank you, Pastor Phillip Lee