Exodus International is the largest ex-gay Christian ministry and, at 37 years, one of the longest-running.
Or it was.
This month, Exodus International announced that it is shutting its doors. The same week, President Allan Chambers issued a heartfelt apology to the GLBT community, saying "Please know that I am deeply sorry...for the pain and hurt many of you have experienced."
In his speech, Chambers personally apologized for not telling the full story of his ongoing same-sex attraction for many years. He also expressed regret that Exodus International had "promoted sexual orientation change efforts and reparative theories about sexual orientation that stigmatized parents." He was referring to "reparative therapy"--the long-standing idea that intensive therapy and a close relationship with God could "repair" or "cure" an unwanted homosexual orientation. While Exodus has taken recent steps in the past few years to denounce this approach as harmful and without medical basis, they had previously endorsed and used this method as part of their ministry.
One day after the apology, Exodus International gave the formal announcement that they were shutting down.
Judging from Exodus International's facebook page, the reactions to the apology are a mixed bag.
Another poster, nicknamed Little Bird, was more forgiving.
This month has been momentous for the GLBT community. Just this past Wednesday, the Supreme Court ruled that a key part of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), is unconstitutional. As a result, the federal government will now give same-sex married couples the same legal and financial benefits as their heterosexual counterparts.
I have to admit: when I first saw the headlines, I felt genuine disappointment that any Christian ministry to the GLBT community would shut down. With more and more young people questioning their sexual identities, there is an enormous need for ministries that offer Biblical truth, compassion and support. My husband and I personally have friends who have had positive experiences with the affiliates of Exodus International, and we had never heard the stories of abuse and trauma.
The fact that they were apologizing rubbed it worse--at first glance it seemed to negate everything they had stood for. But when I read Chamber's apology more closely, I saw that the organization made a clear distinction between harm done and beliefs held.
In other words, the apology has nothing to do with rejecting a Biblical stance on marriage, sexuality, or the power of Christ to change us. Instead, it means the leaders of Exodus are simply recognizing that well-intentioned ministry strategies have hurt some of the very people they desired to help, and they are adjusting their approach.
The leaders of the disbanded Exodus International have said that they plan to form a completely new ministry called Reduce Fear. At the end of his apology, Chamber alluded to the new vision, saying that they hope to host "thoughtful and safe conversations about gender and sexuality, while partnering with others to reduce fear, inspire hope, and cultivate human flourishing."
I am cautiously hopeful as I wait to see.
I pray they can make churches a safe place for gays without endorsing the "Gay Gospel" or gay lifestyle.
I pray that they offer hope in the power of Christ without offering false promise in the power of Christian therapy.
I pray that Reduce Fear becomes an organization known for love and compassion instead of one tarnished by hushed-up scandals.
It's a tall order, but I think they have taken a brave first step in the right direction.
I usually don't write about current events, but lately the news has captured my attention. Please take these thoughts as the honest wrestling of a Christian who doesn't have all the answers, but who wants to be thoughtful, curious and engaged with the world in which she lives. This *may* become a more common thing here at A Pile of Pebbles.
Or it was.
This month, Exodus International announced that it is shutting its doors. The same week, President Allan Chambers issued a heartfelt apology to the GLBT community, saying "Please know that I am deeply sorry...for the pain and hurt many of you have experienced."
Click here to read the full apology.
In his speech, Chambers personally apologized for not telling the full story of his ongoing same-sex attraction for many years. He also expressed regret that Exodus International had "promoted sexual orientation change efforts and reparative theories about sexual orientation that stigmatized parents." He was referring to "reparative therapy"--the long-standing idea that intensive therapy and a close relationship with God could "repair" or "cure" an unwanted homosexual orientation. While Exodus has taken recent steps in the past few years to denounce this approach as harmful and without medical basis, they had previously endorsed and used this method as part of their ministry.
One day after the apology, Exodus International gave the formal announcement that they were shutting down.
Judging from Exodus International's facebook page, the reactions to the apology are a mixed bag.
"Your too-late apologies can't begin to make up for the real and lasting direct and indirect damage you did to many thousands of people," said one commenter, Michael Martin.
Another poster, nicknamed Little Bird, was more forgiving.
"I've lost so many friends who were forced out of their connection with God because of the internalized messages they received from hateful religious groups. I accept the apology. Thank you."
This month has been momentous for the GLBT community. Just this past Wednesday, the Supreme Court ruled that a key part of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), is unconstitutional. As a result, the federal government will now give same-sex married couples the same legal and financial benefits as their heterosexual counterparts.
I have to admit: when I first saw the headlines, I felt genuine disappointment that any Christian ministry to the GLBT community would shut down. With more and more young people questioning their sexual identities, there is an enormous need for ministries that offer Biblical truth, compassion and support. My husband and I personally have friends who have had positive experiences with the affiliates of Exodus International, and we had never heard the stories of abuse and trauma.
The fact that they were apologizing rubbed it worse--at first glance it seemed to negate everything they had stood for. But when I read Chamber's apology more closely, I saw that the organization made a clear distinction between harm done and beliefs held.
"I cannot apologize for my deeply held biblical beliefs about the boundaries I see in scripture surrounding sex, but I will exercise my beliefs with great care and respect for those who do not share them....My wife Leslie and my beliefs center around grace, the finished work of Christ on the cross and his offer of eternal relationship to any and all that believe. Our beliefs do not center on "sin" because "sin" isn't at the center of our faith. Our journey hasn't been about denying the power of Christ to do anything--obviously he is God and can do anything."
In other words, the apology has nothing to do with rejecting a Biblical stance on marriage, sexuality, or the power of Christ to change us. Instead, it means the leaders of Exodus are simply recognizing that well-intentioned ministry strategies have hurt some of the very people they desired to help, and they are adjusting their approach.
The leaders of the disbanded Exodus International have said that they plan to form a completely new ministry called Reduce Fear. At the end of his apology, Chamber alluded to the new vision, saying that they hope to host "thoughtful and safe conversations about gender and sexuality, while partnering with others to reduce fear, inspire hope, and cultivate human flourishing."
I am cautiously hopeful as I wait to see.
I pray they can make churches a safe place for gays without endorsing the "Gay Gospel" or gay lifestyle.
I pray that they offer hope in the power of Christ without offering false promise in the power of Christian therapy.
I pray that Reduce Fear becomes an organization known for love and compassion instead of one tarnished by hushed-up scandals.
It's a tall order, but I think they have taken a brave first step in the right direction.
I usually don't write about current events, but lately the news has captured my attention. Please take these thoughts as the honest wrestling of a Christian who doesn't have all the answers, but who wants to be thoughtful, curious and engaged with the world in which she lives. This *may* become a more common thing here at A Pile of Pebbles.
