Joyce Meyer Speaks Against Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill – Christianity Today

“As a global society, we do not have to agree, endorse or condone the lifestyle choices of others. However, history has taught us that we equally cannot and should not excuse those who would hide behind religion or misuse God’s word to justify bigotry and persecution,” she insisted.

Exodus Announces Ministry Merger to Help Mainline Denominations Address Biblical Sexuality

Wheaton, IL- Amid the division currently taking place in multiple denominations over the issue of homosexuality, three ministries aimed at helping the global Christian church effectively address the topic of biblical sexuality announced a groundbreaking merger at a press conference today.

One by One, an outreach equipping the Presbyterian and Reformed faith communities to compassionately and effectively address biblical sexuality and Transforming Congregations, a likeminded ministry to The United Methodist Church announced plans to merge with Exodus International. Exodus is currently the world’s largest Christian outreach to those dealing with same-sex attraction. The merger was announced at the site of its 34th annual Freedom conference where hundreds from around the nation and the world are gathered on the campus of Wheaton College to gain insight on matters surrounding faith and sexuality.

Together, these ministries will form a new division under the leadership of Exodus that will equip leaders within both evangelical and mainline churches worldwide to break the polarizing debate over homosexuality through an approach that is both biblically orthodox and truly compassionate. This merger will work to enhance current efforts to equip churches through the Exodus Church Association, an interdenominational network of more than 120 churches helping those dealing with same-sex attraction to live a life that reflects the Christian faith.

Speakers at the press conference included representatives of the three ministries as well as founding Board Member of Exodus International, now current Board Member of Transforming Congregations Ron Dennis and Bob Stith, the Southern Baptist Convention’s National Strategist for Gender Issues.

“The compassionate truth of the Gospel is still the hope of the world today,” said Alan Chambers, President of Exodus International and author of two books God’s Grace & the Homosexual Next Door and the newly released Leaving Homosexuality. “Together, we hope to advance a new era in the global Christian church that is defined by God’s truth as well as His heart for hurting individuals experiencing confusion and conflict about their sexuality.”

New Book Offers Practical, Authentic Insight on Leaving Homosexuality

Orlando, FL- A new book, released by Harvest House Publishers today, offers practical advice and honest information on the process of leaving a gay life to pursue one that reflects the Christian faith. Alan Chambers, President of Exodus International, the world’s largest ministry to those personally dealing with unwanted same-sex attraction, has written his second book Leaving Homosexuality: A Practical Guide for Men and Women Looking for a Way Out.

Chambers says the book marks a departure from the ambiguity of the “change is possible” message and details what kind of change is possible for someone struggling with unwanted homosexual feelings. Leaving Homosexuality clarifies expectations and tackles complicated questions with candor and pragmatism. Chambers shares insight from his own life on how to build authentic community, how to process and experience healing from unforgiveness and overcome the power of sexual addiction.

“This book is an honest look at what it means to painfully surrender your life to Jesus Christ and experience real transformation,” said Chambers. “While the road has not been easy, I’ve experienced joy and satisfaction that I never knew was possible. My hope is that this book encourages others living beyond homosexuality with the hope that this journey can yield unexpected promise and blessing.”

Chambers’ first book, God’s Grace & the Homosexual Next Door: Reaching the Heart of the Gay Men and Women in Your World was published in 2007 and details how individuals and churches can become a haven for homosexuals seeking freedom from same-sex attraction.

Mainline Churches Face Intensified ‘Gay’ Debates This Summer

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The role of gays in church life promises to be debated hotly this summer in the nation’s mainline Protestant denominations. The conflict, which comes as states wage legal fights over same-sex marriage, could well influence whether some of the denominations remain intact or splinter into smaller factions. In some churches, the hard-fought court battles over civil marriage for gay and lesbian couples run parallel to religious struggles that are strikingly similar and often just as heated.

An example of this has been in California, where this week the issue of same-sex marriage influenced separate decisions by the state’s Supreme Court and a regional diocese of the Episcopal Church USA.

On Tuesday, California’s Supreme Court upheld Proposition 8, a state constitutional amendment defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman. But the court also ruled that the estimated 18,000 gay couples issued marriage licenses in the state before the law took effect may remain legally married.

On Wednesday, 61 Episcopal clergy of the Diocese of San Joaquin near San Francisco received letters from the bishop notifying them that they had been deposed from ordained ministry. The priests and deacons who received the notices had split from the Episcopal Church in 2007—disaffected by the liberal theology of the Episcopal Church, especially its permitted local blessing of same-sex marriages and its unsettled debate over the ordination of gay priests—and had realigned themselves with the more conservative Anglican Province of the Southern Cone in South America. The notices charged that they had abandoned the Communion of the national church.

In July, leaders of the 2.2-million-member Episcopal Church USA will consider proposals at their national convention in Anaheim, Calif., to sanction a religious rite for blessing same-sex unions and ease restrictions on the ordination of gay and lesbian bishops. If approved, the steps could further alienate theological conservatives, giving them reason to join four Episcopal dioceses and hundreds of parishes that split last year to form a separate church.

The country’s largest Lutheran denomination, meanwhile, is scheduled in August to consider a long-anticipated statement on human sexuality that, among various elements, says that Christian tradition recognizes marriage as a covenant between a man and a woman.

Even as they acknowledge deep divisions over homosexuality, members of the 4.7-million member Evangelical Lutheran Church in America will decide at their meeting in Minneapolis whether they should enable local congregations to recognize same-sex unions and allow “practicing homosexuals” in committed relationships to serve in the ministry.

Other Protestant groups are embroiled in similar struggles, including the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the United Methodist Church.

Scholars are watching the Episcopalians and Evangelical Lutherans especially closely, seeing them as a gauge for other denominations. The experts are waiting to see if the intensified debate and turmoil leading up to the national conventions produces any consensus on issues that have long divided U.S. Protestants.

“What has been emerging for the last several years is becoming even clearer now: We’re on a trajectory toward the blessing of same-sex unions and the ordination of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people,” said the Rev. Jay Johnson, a professor of theology at the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, Calif., and director of academic research at its Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies in Religion and Ministry.

A recent survey of clergy from the seven historic mainline Protestant denominations found that most mainline Protestant clergy do not support legalizing gay marriage, even if they’re not required to officiate at same-sex ceremonies.

The Clergy Voices Survey, conducted by Public Religion Research, was based on responses by clergy from the United Methodist Church; Evangelical Lutheran Church of America; Episcopal Church; United Church of Christ, Presbyterian Church USA; American Baptist Church; and the Disciples of Christ. It asked questions on sexuality and the “the role of (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) people in the church and broader society” as well as theological questions on views on the Bible.

Only 33 percent said gay couples should be allowed to marry; 32 percent would allow civil unions; and 35 percent called for “no legal recognition” for same-sex couples.

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Prop 8 Traumatic Stress Disorder

The verdict is in. The California Supreme Court has ruled and the voter’s voice on marriage has been preserved, at least, for the moment. I must confess, though, that while I’m relieved, I’m a bit fatigued. Watching Miss USA contender Carrie Prejean assaulted for stating her views on marriage has been brutal. Hearing actor Sean Penn admonish supporters of the California law, Proposition 8, at this year’s Academy Awards ceremony to “sit and reflect and anticipate their great shame and the shame in their grandchildren’s eyes” was ugly. Reading about how Proposition 8 opponents were circulating Google maps detailing the locations of Proposition 8 supporters’ homes to harass them was insidious.

I’m sure I’m not alone. Many Christians may be hesitant, if not completely resistant, to engage the culture on issues that contradict their values and beliefs the next time around. But we must ask ourselves – as the church, what should our response be? The answer for me comes in looking back at how the early church responded to similar opposition. They were committed to stand for what they knew to be truth, even if it meant the ultimate sacrifice. Many were sent to their death in the jaws of wild beasts in front of a coliseum of eager spectators. Today rather than facing the lions, the church now faces the merciless jaws of litigation. Instead of an audience of robed spectators, there is now a virtual coliseum of media correspondents, magazines and talk shows ready to voice their particular perspective on the events. The attitude against the church is the same but the venue for persecution has been modernized. As a result many churches have gone underground on this issue of homosexuality and are fearful to engage the topic at any level. Some believe there is too much to risk and besides; gay marriage will eventually be federally legalized so why fight it?

But wait a minute. Who is the real victim in this scenario? Is it really the church?

Click here for entire article in Charisma Magazine

Why the Exodus Church Association?

The topic of homosexuality is no longer a topic that exists on the fringe of our society, but rather it has become one of the most polarizing issues in our culture and churches today. The increased accessibility of information, in this technological era, presents us with many differing viewpoints ranging from unloving condemnation to blind acceptance intolerant of any opposition. With so many arguments and opinions, how are we to make sense of it all and how are we to respond in biblical grace and truth to the many that have been affected by homosexuality? Read more

What Does the Bible Really Say?

Written by: Mike Ensley | September 9th, 2008

Does the Bible really say that homosexuality is a sin? Or does it, as some people say, actually condone and celebrate homosexual relationships? As Christians, we need to know what the Bible tells us about sexuality and gender. Here’s a quick overview of what Scripture really says, as well as responses to some of the most common challenges made to our understanding of the Bible. Read more