Living Water: Labels from The Well on Vimeo. From The Well's vimeo page containing this video: Kristin Tremba struggled with gender identity and same sex attraction throughout the early years of her life. She experienced emotional intimacy with a good friend during college and through those feelings she concluded that she was gay. However, she didn’t want to take on that gay identity and kept her struggles silent. In her late 20’s, she began to fear that she would never marry a man and have a family. She lacked the trust that God would provide for her future and fell into an … [Read more...]
Lean Summer, Generous God
August 23, 2010 By
In June Exodus International hosted our 35th Freedom Conference in Irvine, CA and the 59th Love Won Out event. More than 1,100 ministry leaders, parents, pastors, and individuals seeking freedom in Jesus Christ came together for an amazing time of worship, teaching, and fellowship. As I look back, it wasn’t any one thing that stood out that made this conference spectacular. Instead, it was the fact that, all around, people were beaming with joy, hope, and the understanding that God is good! I could see it in the faces of those waiting in the lunch line, in the casual conversations that … [Read more...]
Joe Carter on “Gay Gene Eugenics”
August 19, 2010 By
Just when you thought the issue of homosexuality couldn't get any more complicated, Joe Carter writes a Column for On The Square (First Things) title Gay Gene Eugenics. Here are some excerpts (emphasis mine): When it comes to homosexuality, those who support gay rights don't often find themselves agreeing with conservative Christians. Advances in biomedical technology, however, should push the two groups to agree that the biological basis for the homosexual orientation is irrelevant. Although their motivations may differ, each side has reasons for promoting the idea that sexual activity is … [Read more...]
CNN Belief Blog Interviews Alan Chambers About Prop 8 and Gay Rights
August 10, 2010 By
From ‘Ex-gay’ ministry on gay marriage's chances after Prop 8 ruling ... “It’s disappointing that a judge would rule against the will of the people,” says Chambers, author of Leaving Homosexuality. “That’s the greatest tragedy.” For 34 years, Exodus has told gay and lesbians that they can be “delivered” from homosexuality through faith in Christ, professional counseling and support groups. But how will groups like Exodus fare if fewer Americans believe that homosexuality is a sin, and if gay marriage becomes an option? Chambers acknowledged that “our culture is … [Read more...]
Happy 1st Blog/Facebook Birthday Exodus!
August 6, 2010 By
It's hard to believe we have had this blog, and complementary Facebook page, for a full year as of today! I am very glad to see this blog succeed. We had one serious attempt to have a ministry blog in the past that just didn't quite work. So with lessons learned and the advent of social networking ... this blog took off right out of the gate! While I don't know that our blog will *ever* be a top dog blog like Instapundit (who knows really? :) ) we don't do this for "the numbers." Regardless, I am a stats-a-holic so here are some statistical tidbits that those who do read this blog might … [Read more...]
Prop 8 Decision Imminent – Life Goes On Regardless of “Winner”
August 4, 2010 By
UPDATE 4:49 PM EDT: Judge rules Prop 8 unconstitutional. When Alan decided a couple of years ago to pull Exodus out of public policy I was in total agreement. That whole realm fascinates me and has since I was in High School (Youth in Government Club.) We, Alan and I, gave it our best effort for about 4 years and learned plenty of lessons. The point of today's post isn't to pile on and throw another round into the echo-chamber of talking points you will hear again and again and again and again ... and again and again ... and again ... Of course I am aware of the importance of … [Read more...]
New Tactics to Disenfranchise Counselors and Clients with a Biblical Worldview
August 2, 2010 By
Back in May we posted about how California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) was trying to make the practice of "Reparative Therapy" or any sexually oriented change counseling unethical. Thank goodness that effort, while not completely gone, failed. ... Clearly, the current CAMFT board is not at all ready to pass judgment on the ethical standards of ANY therapeutic orientation. I believe the board began to recognize the danger of putting CAMFT in the position of going way beyond what even the APA (American Psychological Association) has stated concerning SOCE. The APA … [Read more...]
Some Thoughts On Church/Denominational Conflict
July 28, 2010 By
This post was inspired by Matt Kaufman over at the Boundless Line. He wrote, in response to the ELCA decision, a good question (emphasis mine): ... When should you leave a church on principle -- not for personal reasons (which we've talked about elsewhere on this blog), but for reasons of its doctrines or practices? And a follow-up question: Have you ever had to wrestle with this decision? That is definitely a tough question with plenty of potential variables. In the 18 years I have been a Christian I haven't ever left a church on "principle" (when I have it has been for personal … [Read more...]
“Non-Celibate Gay Ministers” Welcomed In Lutheran Church
July 26, 2010 By
From the New York Times NYT (emphasis mine because I find it an interesting description): With a laying on of hands, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America on Sunday welcomed into its fold seven openly gay pastors who had until recently been barred from the church’s ministry. The ceremony at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in San Francisco was the first of several planned since the denomination took a watershed vote at its convention last year to allow noncelibate gay ministers in committed relationships to serve the church. “Today the church is speaking with a clear voice,” the … [Read more...]
Same Sex Attraction/Identity by Michael Todd Wilson (Video)
July 16, 2010 By
In this short six minute video Michael Todd Wilson (A member of the Exodus Professional Counselors Network) covers a lot of ground. He does a good job in explaining sexual identity. Thanks MT! Same Sex Attraction by Michael Todd Wilson from Johnson Ferry on Vimeo. … [Read more...]
