Educational Workshop, Rock Harbor Church
Saturday, September 10, 2022

Title: There’s Something I Need to Tell You! (When a Loved One, Friend, Co-Worker, Neighbor or Fellow Brother and Sister in Christ Confesses They Are Same-Sex Attracted)
Location: Rock Harbor Church, Bakersfield, CA – https://rockharborchurch.net/
Date: Saturday, September 10, 2022
Time: 9:00am – 11:00am

Workshop Description:

What do you say and do when a loved one confesses, that they are homosexual? The workshop offers practical steps and information to help you understand your loved one, guidance to keep the lines of communication open without compromising your beliefs, and presents the biblical position on homosexuality.

The workshop is also designed to help clear up the misconceptions many have today about homosexuality. Why should sharing the Gospel with a gay person be approached differently than anyone else? Scripturally speaking: what do we know about homosexuality? Why doesn’t God just go ‘Poof!’ and make it go away? Is just saying homosexuality is a sin good enough? Does it matter why the person you love is homosexual?

The workshop offers biblical and compassionate responses to homosexuality for parents, pastors, co-workers, a neighbor, or maybe just a good friend.

The Educational Workshop will be facilitated by Pastor Phillip Lee, Executive Director of His Way Out Ministries – www.hiswayout.com – who speaks to the topic of same-sex attraction professionally and personally having left homosexual practice and the gay identity 37 years ago.

There is no fee for the workshop however registration is necessary and may be completed by sending (1) your name(s) (2) home church (3) email address and (4) cell phone number to email address: hwom@juno.com

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

It is no secret that American culture has and continues to drift far from the standards of sexual morality found in the Bible. In place of standards tied by faith and tradition to what God reveals in Scripture, our culture has embraced other views all fundamentally opposed to biblical sexual morality.

On Saturday, September 3, 2022, His Way Out Ministries will resume our weekly radio broadcast on KERI 1410AM with each broadcast airing 12:00 – 12:30pm (PDT).

KERI 1410AM offers a Live Stream: http://www.wilkinsradio.com/our-stations/keri-1410am-bakersfield-ca/

Our weekly broadcast will also air Saturday’s, 8:30pm – 9:00pm (EDT) on WLMR AM and FM 103.3 in Chattanooga, TN.

Our weekly broadcast will eventually be offered on our website joining five years of broadcasts currently offered for immediate listening or downloading for future listening.

Please visit: https://hiswayout.com/category/audio-podcast/

With truth in our hearts, we can go forward to have conversations that change our culture and reveal the love of Christ Jesus to all the world.

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

Where there is confusion, there is a desperate crying need for clarity. Personally, I remain challenged and purposed to continue equipping Christians in order to discuss same-sex behavior from a Biblical perspective.

The absolute critical importance of embracing God’s Truth regarding homosexual practice is the catalyst for His Truth to be clear in our hearts which enables God’s people to move forward and have conversations that will change our culture and reveal the love of Christ to all the world.

It is abundantly clear, based upon my travels through churches of various denominations here in America and overseas – that far too many congregation members are still not being informed, 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, or as one man shared with me not so long ago… “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. We are needlessly getting hammered.”

How is it with the battle of homosexuality in the Church, which has been raging for several decades, there is such hesitation and reluctance to specifically address the crisis?

Many continue to gather Sunday after Sunday for worship as though nothing has happened. Consequently, today, not only are believers falling into homosexual sin and legitimizing it but many within the uninformed Church are applauding them as they do.

Herein lies my ongoing concern with regard to homosexual practice. With everything that has transpired and everything that continues to unfold, most Christians are still learning more about homosexuality from movies, the Internet, and television than they learn in their own congregations.

Often, hanging in the balance, are many who struggle with same-sex attraction and remain torn by the ongoing rhetoric and debate while yearning to hear the redemptive truth of the Bible.

Today, there exists a hodgepodge of beliefs, attitudes, and positions regarding homosexuality in the Church.

“Welcoming and Affirming” churches believe homosexuals cannot change and encourage gays and lesbians to “live according to your same-sex leaning and desire.”

“Intimidated and Fearful” churches have been scared speechless and take the stance that the topic is just too confusing, political, and divisive.

“Belittling” churches blatantly condemn homosexual practice, in any form and to any degree, and communicate such a stance coupled with great condemnation and judgment.

“Complacent” churches find the whole matter unimportant and irrelevant to the scheme of things in culture and church.

“No Problem” churches are completely unaware of homosexual strugglers in their own congregation which enable many to suffer in silence believing there is no help to be had for the brokenness of same-sex attraction.

“Scripturally-Sound” churches offer ministry and discipleship to the homosexual struggler clothed in a balance of both truth and grace, loving them as any other member while not dismissing, apologizing, and clearly stating the practice of homosexuality is a violation of God’s intent and purpose.

The promises of God are true and unfailingly fruit-bearing “if” we extend them.

I believe we, the Church, must be much more dedicated to offering the right blend of information, practical steps, and Biblical guidelines regarding homosexuality. This is reasonable service.

Personally, I am convinced in these days of ‘tolerance’ and ‘moral relativism’ it is essential and imperative we, the Church, return ourselves to the holy boundary lines and principles of the Scriptures that are to govern our lives regarding all matters of morality and ethical living.

God, in His mercy, patience, and long-suffering is once again giving His people the opportunity to prepare to offer a Christ-like response to homosexuality.

Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.” (Matthew 5:14-15)

We, the Church, must become much more relevant to a rapidly changing world.

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

It is 1981, I am living in San Francisco and very much a member of the gay community. On a Sunday afternoon, I leave my apartment and walk down Powell Street toward Market Street, the main drag of downtown San Francisco.

The closer and closer I get to Market Street, clearly, something is going on because the boulevard is lined with a huge crowd of people. I have happened upon my first Gay Pride Parade.

I cannot believe what I am witnessing. Frankly, the first thought that occurred to me was, “Why aren’t these people being arrested?” largely due to the pornographic nature and displays that are parading by, one after another after another. And, I am thinking, “This is what I am to be proud of?”

It was my first and last gay pride parade.

Today, far, far beyond equal rights for many groups in America in their attempts to reweave the social, cultural, and political fabric of this country, is an unquenchable thirst for power.

Right on the heels of the power quest is a relentless crusade by many groups for acceptance and to gain society’s stamp of approval on a considerable list of various behaviors.

When same-sex marriage became legal throughout America (but not lawful in the Kingdom of God), the entire lid to Pandora’s Box came off. Various groups that had been for a very long time standing along the sidelines waiting their turn busted out of the box and began to be much more vocal and visible demanding to be recognized and accepted.

And, let me be perfectly clear by stating, we the Church did contribute to the past, and the ongoing cultural vacuum that has allowed the redefinition of marriage, family, etc. to happen with so little resistance.

Frankly, the 17 years I spent as a gay-identified man, which included witnessing my first and last gay pride parade in 1981, I frequently found myself scratching my head and marveling at why the gay community adopted the rainbow as their emblem.

It was both confusing and perplexing then. But not now.

It is possible to desire, welcome, and even invite the presence of God but ignore, if not totally dismiss, any possible judgment of God.

But not so fast.

Genesis 9:13 says, “I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.”

Clearly, the rainbow signifies the promise of God regarding God’s judgment on the world.

Interesting, I was once so deceived to think I would not have to pass through the judgment of God.
And, lest we forget.

The flood of God’s judgment came first.

The rainbow of the presence of God then followed.

The exclamation, “Don’t judge me!” is completely and totally misplaced and inaccurate.

Judgment will come – to each and every one of us.

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

The normalization of homosexual practice has to a very large degree occurred due to individuals and churches shunning responsibility, by their silence, that God’s truth on the subject is just too risky and not valuable enough, ultimately seeing God’s truth as optional.

Therefore, it should not be surprising that God’s absolute truth has been and continues to be revised and rejected regarding homosexual practice.

In June 2015, when America legalized same-sex marriage, the lid on Pandora’s Box came flying off, immediately generating a downward spiral, a continuous deterioration of truth largely due to the mishandling of God’s truth by the ones it was entrusted to.

There is no denying culture’s influence in reshaping truth but also believers who have ultimately allowed truth to become so denigrated that truth is now, in some eyes, relative and flexible.

As the Apostle Paul predicted, we will no longer endure sound doctrine according to 2 Timothy 4:3.
If current trends continue, I am convinced the Biblical view and truth regarding homosexual practice, will be that many will be tempted to continue appeasing culture rather than God’s truth constituting a betrayal of The Church’s function.

“The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits.” (1 Timothy 4:1)

The faithful to and for God must indeed count the cost of remaining faithful and unwavering to His Word. The days forward will require strength and resolve as continued heat and pressure will continue and intensify.

Indeed, there are deep, critical, and vital issues before us today with raging political theological currents doing their utmost to submerge the Church.

Clearly, real and vital issues about the healing and transformation of sexual brokenness have and continue to sharply divide with many lives hanging in the balance. We, the Church, will not serve humanity, unity, or the cause of Christ Jesus by ignoring the differences that exist or by sticking our heads in the sand.

We must not allow emotion or the present political climate to dictate to the Church what we believe nor what we do to further God’s Kingdom. The time is very, very near where many must decide whether or not they will continue to travel the narrow road with Jesus.

This is a time for The Church to stand unwaveringly on the Word of God. There was a time when The Church set societal standards. It is only with God’s absolute truth in our hearts, we can go forward to have conversations that uphold His truth thereby changing our culture and revealing the love of Christ to all the world.

It is possible to both speak and express the heart and mind of God regarding homosexual practice.

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

You and I may possibly believe in truth, God’s absolute truth, but how can His truth be honored if we do not speak or act upon it?

As a Christian, I must be obedient and involved in the full purposes of God which will often cause many to be offended. However, being obedient to Jesus never brings dishonor to Him. The only thing that dishonors Him is not obeying Him.

I believe an appropriate question for the Church today regarding homosexuality and related issues is, “Am I being loyal to the notions of Jesus, or loyal to Him?” Are we, His Church, remaining loyal to what He has clearly stated in His Word regarding homosexuality, or are we trying to find compromises with conceptions that never came from Him?

There is no question that homosexuality has become perhaps the most controversial social issue of our time. While that is certainly important, true, and relevant, there is a far greater issue, crisis, and concern at hand.

Frankly, homosexuality should never have been nor should it now be the primary concern of the Church. What has been unfolding for decades and what continues today, mostly unchallenged, is a rejection of God and a suppressing of His truth, His absolute truth, in favor of being wise in our own eyes.

As a result, herein lies the dilemma for many today, “Will I reject God’s absolute truth, the authority of His Word, or will I by the power of the Holy Spirit surrender and conform my life to the Word of God?”

In a time when far too many lives and our culture is being shaped by political correctness and moral cowardice, the time is long overdue for faithful followers of Christ Jesus to stand unwaveringly on God’s absolute truth.

Is it not abundantly clear that we, God’s people, are standing front and center of one of the greatest crossroads the Church has ever faced?

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “A man dies when he refuses to stand up for what is right; a man dies when he refuses to stand up for justice; a man dies when he refuses to take a stand for that which is true.”

We are treading on terribly treacherous turf.

Ultimately, I am satisfied God’s truth, His absolute truth, will always “be” whether you and I or anyone else believes it or likes it. 1 Corinthians 13:6 says, “Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rather rejoices with truth.”

Personally, I cannot come to any other conclusion other than “love, pure, true, undefiled love supports absolute truth.”

Christ-follower, we must challenge our culture with God’s absolute truth because feelings, personal opinion, theories, notions, and ideas have consequences.

Today, many are finding God’s absolute truth much too threatening. Understandably so, because when you love sin, it is impossible to love God’s absolute truth.

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

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For some time, I have been involved in a dialog with members of the gay community. Our conversation and our exchange largely began because I became concerned and alarmed that with all the media attention given to the bullying of members of the gay community, not much, to my knowledge, was or is being offered, mentioned, or discussed regarding the hate that is often perpetrated against men and women that have said, “No,” to homosexual practice.

Yes, I am using the word “hate”.

I am confident many today are not aware there continue to be men and women with unwanted same-sex attraction that have and are making the personal decision to leave homosexuality. As a result, formerly gay-identified men and women are often reviled simply because they dare to exist.

Should not “diversity” and “tolerance” be a two-way street by recognizing and including the once gay-identified man or woman? We are real, and we are here. Therefore, I must express my growing concern about the often widespread “intolerance” practiced against those who decide to face and break free of the snare of same-sex attraction.

Here’s the question: Why do some gays (hate) ex-gays so much?

Thirty-one years ago, I said goodbye to homosexuality and the gay identity. Like all faithful followers of Christ Jesus, I had to face the decision of accepting or rejecting Christ’s Lordship. Coming out of homosexuality required deep emotional healing and a restructuring of my whole identity, as our Creator, God, is the only One who knows exactly how to restore our personality.

I remember so vividly when coming to know Christ at the age of 35, what it meant for the first time in my life to be a man. But more importantly, what it meant to be a godly man. For me to deny or not share what Christ has done in my life would be the equivalent of denying Him.

Thankfully and gratefully, I am far from the only individual that has experienced change. God has not been silent to the cries of men and women wanting freedom from homosexual feelings and behavior. Many have experienced the power of Christ to address the deep needs of both men and women trapped in same-gender struggles.

One gay activist challenged me by stating, “Phillip, while I commend you regarding your concern about ‘intolerance,’ I just can’t get my head around (ex-gay). Why don’t you just be true to yourself?”

Be true to myself?

That is exactly what I am doing. What makes one individual happy and content may not make someone else happy, because we are all individuals. I, like any man or woman, deserve the right to self-determination and happiness. To give sexual orientation protection to one group while excluding another is outright discrimination. Without testimony from all sectors of society, including the ex-gay community, public policy on the topic of homosexuality is seriously flawed.

• Ex-gay men and women are routinely denied equal access to participate in public school events and present on diversity day.
• Ex-gay conferences, workshops, and seminars are frequently picketed by pro-gay protesters
• Transgendered individuals are affirmed for changing their gender, but former homosexuals are ridiculed for making the decision to address and change their sexual orientation.
• Ex-gays are subject to an increasingly hostile environment where they are labeled as perpetrators of (hate) simply because they advocate for or live out a different belief and view of homosexuality.
• Ex-gays are criticized and face lifelong intolerance for simply existing as living proof that homosexuality is not innate.

Frankly, the welfare of individuals, society, and the Church as a whole depends on our facing the subject of homosexuality honestly, compassionately, and courageously. Yes, homosexuals have the right, as do others, to believe that homosexual behavior should be accepted as normal. However, they do not have the right to demand everyone else agree with them.

True love is loving in spite of our differences and treating each other with kindness and respect. This is what it means to live in a society in which freedom of speech, religion (and belief) are guaranteed.

I’m real. I’m here. I will not be silent.

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

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