Dealing With the "Ex Factor" in Church
World Net Daily recently reported on the American Psychological Association’s recent admission that there is no “gay gene” which explains the growing number of ex-gays. Click here to read the World Net Daily report. The ex-gay phenomenon presents a new challenge for pastors. The facts surrounding same sex attraction must be brought forth in love and without compromise. While it is not a popular topic, it touches many American church families. America’s pulpits must reach out and get support from experts in handling these delicate individuals who have come through a trauma most of us cannot relate to. While pastors, in many cases are very impressive people with strong credentials, they are not equipped to handle some of these more complex issues. Most churches offer several types of counseling services ranging from drug addiction and marriage reconciliation, but they have little experience in this realm.
Good news, many organizations like Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays and Regenerations exist for the express purpose of assisting families and churches with the multiplying number of ex-gays and families who have family members still living as homosexuals. I would encourage every reader to visit the websites of these organizations in order to become better acquainted with the facts. Perhaps the push for homosexual rights has opened the door for more truth to surface regarding the “ex factor” of homosexuality. Twenty years ago, all homosexuals were in the closet and only since their “coming out” have we been able to dig deeper and get to the bottom of the issue. Homosexuality is a choice that many men and women struggle with and their help should come from Bible believing churches that are compassionate, not angry, or scared.
Truth is not always easy to digest, nor is it easy to deliver, but it always brings freedom. Churches, Christians, and pastors must move in truth guided by love in order to show God’s compassion to the homosexual community, and in particular those who have left the homosexual lifestyle in an effort to overcome same sex attraction. It is time to face the truth of homosexuality and deal with it head on and with love. If a lost and dying world riddled with problems and faults can’t find love and compassion from the church, where are they to go? Have we forgotten that if it was not for the grace of God, it could be me?
For more information on dealing with homosexual issues please visit;
www.pfox.org
www.frc.org
www.regenerationministries.org
Email your comments to info@christianimpactalliance.org
