Dear Church,

On February 7, 2012 when the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Proposition 8 – which banned same-sex marriage in California – violated the U.S. Constitution, newspapers all over America offered considerable articles detailing the pro-gay agenda’s accomplishment.

The pressure to affirm same-sex marriage has been and continues to be relentless. We are bombarded by the media, from some politicians and certainly from the pro-gay agenda camp themselves who plead and argue for everyone to see their point of view.

When same-sex marriages are legalized, religious freedom will have to give way to constitutional law. Personally, I am already hearing – “All people have a constitutional right to marriage, in whatever gender arrangement they desire; the Church, therefore, is breaking the law in denying people their constitutionally guaranteed rights.”

Is it true the pro-gay agenda, if taken to its full extreme, will certainly seriously inhibit the Church? Is gay marriage just a matter of civil rights? Is same-sex marriage just one more of those issues that we should learn to tolerate in a free and open society?

While the word “marriage” is being redefined, we as a Christian community seem to be asleep, maybe believing there is not much we can do, given the moral climate of our times. However, the simple fact is that if we are not salt and light now, then when?

I would be the first to admit there is no quick fix to stop the advancement toward same-sex marriages. But we, The Church, can still have impact. Indeed, there are many viewpoints on to what extent Christians should engage in the political arena. Some believe that Jesus completely ignored the political and we should follow His example. Others believe that we as Christians are obligated to affect the world around us. Whatever we decide to do, our motivation must be one of love rather than to destroy.

Presently, I believe there are two dangers The Church must avoid at this hour. The first is to retreat because we believe that in the end gay marriages will be legalized, and thus “whatever will be will be.” The second danger The Church must avoid is to become so involved in the same-sex marriage debate and crisis that we forget that the primary message we have for the world is that Jesus died on the Cross for sinners. We, The Church, must extend a balance of both truth and grace and we cannot let the present cultural revolution obscure or deny our primary calling.

All Christians are absolutely called to minister with grace, yet we are each called to be completely faithful to God’s absolute truth. Therefore, in dealing with homosexuality and the many related issues, it means The Church must oppose the gay rights movement’s social and political agendas because of the call of God’s truth, while remembering each individual who faces same-sex orientations and practices remains a person who deserves the ministry of God’s grace.

Personally, I wonder what would happen if millions of believers would set aside their schedules to seek God on behalf of this nation regarding same-sex marriage…

Ultimately, I have no doubt The Church will continue to fulfill its responsibility of representing Jesus Christ in the world. Over and over and over again The Church has had to cope in a hostile culture with virtually no freedom. The Church has and will continue to both survive and thrive because The Church is in the hands of Jesus.

Pastor Phillip Lee
Executive Director
His Way Out Ministries
1412 17th Street, Suite 313
Bakersfield, CA, USA 93301
Email | Website | Vimeo Channel

Today, no subject is more controversial or misunderstood than the subject of homosexuality. Both the Church and our culture remain divided on the issue with many crucial questions frequently surfacing such as:

How should parents and family members respond to gay loved ones? What does the Bible really say about homosexuality? How do we as a church show love to homosexuals without compromising biblical truth? What about gay rights?

We all found the time to be very meaningfully spent and your personal sharing and commentary on the issue of same-sex attraction, choices involved in terms of adopting a gay identity and pursuing gay life were very helpful in expanding our understanding of these complex issues. Pastor Dave Champness, Senior Pastor, River Lakes Community Church.

Teacher and educator on the complexities of homosexuality, Pastor Phillip Lee, has been addressing churches and conferences within the United States, the Caribbean and South America since 1994. He speaks on a variety of subjects specifically related to Christianity and God’s divine intent for human sexuality, including sexual purity, homosexuality, HIV/AIDS, discipleship, sexual and relational brokenness, and recovery and restoration.

Phillip has also designed seminars and workshops to equip pastors and lay counselors that offer Biblically-based answers as well as practical approaches. Phillip frequently speaks and addresses Sunday morning church services, and is often a guest on television and radio programs.

I was gratified by the degree to which we seem to see and understand these issues in a very similar manner. I am grateful to have gotten to know you and may God richly bless and use you and your ministry in the lives of many. Ian Boyne, Host of Religious Hard Talk, Kingston, Jamaica

Educational Workshops

His Way Out Ministries offers the following Biblically-based training and equipping workshops:

Homosexuality and the Reality of Change
Pastor Phillip Lee, Founder and Executive Director of His Way Out Ministries, brings a wealth of personal, as well as pastoral experience to this workshop. Pastor Lee will share his testimony, as well as discuss the questions: Can homosexuals really change? How long does change take? Will the person become heterosexual? How do I respond to pro-gay arguments?

The Myths of Homosexuality
If you’re like most Christians, you’re puzzled by homosexuality. You want to reach out in some way – but how? The first step is to become knowledgeable. This workshop helps clear up the many misconceptions most Christians have about homosexuality. Is homosexuality the worst of all sins? Is homosexuality genetic? Is homosexuality just a choice? Will marriage really fix a homosexual?

There’s Something I Need To Tell You! (When a Loved One Confesses They Are Homosexual)
What do you say and do when a loved one confesses they are homosexual? This 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.

Reaching Gay Youth
While the number of youth embracing homosexuality is alarming, there are many ways in which you can reach them. This workshop centers on why youth should question homosexuality and what role you can play in help bringing that about. What if people think I’m gay? Is there a difference between homosexual temptation and homosexual sin? How do I respond to the ‘born gay’ argument? What is the key to overcoming homosexuality?

Understanding Homosexuality
Is change possible? What causes homosexuality? Does God condemn a person for being attracted to members of their own sex? Is there a difference between homosexual tendencies and a gay identity? What are some of the battles each man and each woman will face in overcoming same-gender attraction? The workshop offers biblical and compassionate responses to homosexuality for parents, pastors, co-workers, a neighbor, or maybe just a good friend.

Homosexuality and the Church
The theological debate over what God’s Word says about homosexuality has become quite a phenomenon. Many concerns and questions must be addressed in churches wishing to reach out to homosexuals and their families. As a pastor, how do I lead our church to effectively love homosexuals? How do I introduce a gay-identified person to Christ? Is there a difference between the terms gay and homosexual? How does my church evaluate if we are handling homosexuality appropriately?

For more information about the above workshops or to schedule an educational workshop at your church, please contact His Way Out Ministries.

“I don’t expect this to go away. I’m here for you to help me control it.”
By Pastor Phillip Lee

The above quote reflects a statement I have been offered by many youth over the past several months. While I understand the statement and even on some level appreciate the sincerity and honesty, the statement also grieves me as it reflects the desperate crisis that we face with regard to youth struggling with and combating same-gender attraction. To compound the crisis, all of the youth are Christians, each having been raised in Church and reared in a Christian home. Once again, we find “the elephant” in the room that very, very few want to talk about.

When our path crosses with a struggling youth, we need to be open to partnering with the Lord to help turn the tide in his or her life. During adolescence most people determine the morals and personal identity they will embrace for the remainder of their life. Likewise, much confusion and challenges will take place before any semblance of clarity comes. This is all the more true for youth deciding their sexual identity. Studies have shown that vast numbers of youth entering adolescence are uncertain about their sexual orientation, but few exiting the teenage years remain ambiguous. Therefore, the teenage years are a crucial period for the Church of Jesus Christ to speak to youth tempted by homosexuality and educate each young person regarding the Truth of Scripture regarding the practice of homosexuality. Without a doubt, offering a right and true perspective will not only make a difference to a gay youth, it will distinguish Christians quite a bit from others he or she will encounter.

While it is true that the number of teens embracing homosexuality is alarming, that should not minimize nor dismiss the incredible opportunity we have to reach out to gay youth with the message of salvation and sexual redemption through the Lord Jesus Christ and most assuredly challenge the above quote with the Truth of Scripture.

Homosexuality is a symptom of a spiritual and relational problem. Therefore, simply stopping the behavior is not really getting to the root of what is making the person “feel different.” For the Christian trying to minister to a gay youth, consider asking these questions: Does the young person experience a lot of rejection by others? Is the teen uncomfortable with his gender? Does he spurn others of the same sex, refusing to hang out with anyone other than a gay friend? Is the youth afraid of meeting new people, attending social gatherings, etc.? Is she overly critical or fearful of men? Is the teen envious of certain characteristics which others of the same-sex have that he does not? For many trying to reach or reason with a youth struggling with same-gender attraction, the question of “What if people think that I’m gay?” often surfaces. Three words, “Get over it!” Be concerned more with character rather than reputation.

As Christ-followers embracing the truth and totality of Scripture, don’t ever think we have to defend or apologize for what Scripture has clearly said about purity nor must we be enticed to debate or argue with the individual. Recognize it is not really a struggle between “us and them,” it is ultimately between them and the Word of God.

Today, a multitude struggling with various addictions, compulsive behaviors, and habits, are all asking the same question: How long will change take? For any individual, youth or adult struggling with homosexuality, the good news is that homosexual activity may stop as soon as the decision is made to no longer participate. But since homosexual feelings have become closely associated with the youth’s unmet needs, whether real or perceived for emotional intimacy, God most likely will not take away the feelings because He does not take away our needs – instead He helps us meet our needs. The underlying issues that fuel same-gender attraction take time to work through. Herein lies, I believe, why so many youth have become influenced and bought into the notion that even homosexual feelings and desires cannot be resolved. Hence, “I’m just here for you to help me control and manage it,” is often the expectation and attitude of the struggling young person.

It is imperative that we inspire faith in those to whom we minister. In my experience, the ones I have known who have successfully left homosexuality are those who have relinquished control of their lives to the Holy Spirit. Clearly, there is a level of surrender required to resolve any form of sexual and relational brokenness, including homosexuality that many are unwilling to offer. Only God can bring about the changes the youth desires.

While I have met and continue to meet with youth who are determined to resolve the issues of their sexuality, most feel too inadequate, lack motivation and do not have an individual structured in their life to help them through the process of healing and wholeness. Any Christian can emphasize to the hurting that there is hidden need within the heart of everyone that an intimate relationship with God can fill. Reaching gay youth is something we all can do and must do to help searching youth understand God’s abundant plans for their lives and to counteract the pro-gay agenda that desires to ruin all hope for the youth. No one is doomed to be gay, and we may be the only person that will have the courage to share the Good News with a youth struggling with same-gender attraction.

While it is easy enough to become cynical about the times in which we live, remember when God is put in the equation of life, a hope that does not disappoint rises with us. It is true that the number of teens embracing homosexuality has become alarming, but we should trust God and reach out to gay youth with the message of salvation and sexual redemption available through the Lord Jesus Christ. I am grateful that Christians did that for me.

“My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Do you not say, ‘Four months more and then the harvest?’ I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest” – Jesus Christ.”