One By One Report on Presbyterian Church U.S.A. General Assembly 2010

OneByOne at Presbyterian Church USA General Assembly 2010

It is a “sign of the times” when the message of Christ’s healing and redemptive power in regards to human sexuality is rejected by his Church. This past week the governing bodies of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. voted to approve gay ordination as it did in 2008. Again, this legislation will go before the Presbyteries in the coming months for a final vote. Hopefully, it will be turned down, as it was in '08, and yet year after year more Presbyteries endorse homosexuality as a gift from God to be blessed and celebrated. Team members of OneByOne were present at this year’s PCUSA … [Read more...]

First Hand Report From The NEA Ex-gay Educator’s Caucus

Click Image to Visit Melinda's Facebook Profile

Melinda has become one of my favorite facebook friends.  She's always got an encouraging word.  She recently went to the NEA Convention and she had a remarkable experience.  I asked if she would like to write a guest blog post about her experience and she graciously agreed.  Here's Melinda in her own words (emphasis mine): My experience manning the NEA Ex-gay Educator’s Caucus booth at the National Education Association (NEA) convention in New Orleans recently could be compared to being in a dunking booth or being fed to the lions. The Caucus was raising awareness that “ex-gays” do, … [Read more...]

The Complete Christian Guide to Understanding Homosexuality – New Book by Joe Dallas and Nancy Heche released

Understanding Homosexuality

Joe Dallas and Nancy Heche have worked with Harvest House Publishers to release The Complete Christian Guide to Understanding Homosexuality - A Biblical and Compassionate Response to Same Sex Attraction. This book is amazing.  Covers everything from "The Church in Crisis, A History of Gay Rights in America, Understanding Pro-gay Theology, Theories of Origin," Counseling, Sexual Addiction, Parents, Spouses, Gay Parenting, Transgender issues ... and more!  Input was given by many leaders including yours truly and Exodus President Alan Chambers. Chapter 13 - Change, Growth, and the … [Read more...]

British Comedienne, and Former Lesbian, Becomes Happily Married Mother of Four

Jackie Clune

From How I Went from Committed Lesbian to a Happily Married Mother of Four: Looking at my four children racing around the garden with their father, it seems almost impossible to believe that only a few years ago I never imagined having a family. Or rather, when I did stop to think of myself as becoming a mother, I imagined the only way I'd do so would be through an anonymous sperm donor. Today, with five-year-old triplets, Thady, Frank and Orla, and a seven-year-old daughter, Saoirse, a husband and a home in a leafy London suburb, I could be viewed as the archehtypal wife and mother, … [Read more...]

Opening Night Encouragement – Exodus Freedom Conference “Moving Forward” (Video)

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I shot this video earlier this evening.  It contains some encouragement from a few friends. Also, Alan did a fantastic job sharing about the founding of Exodus and honoring all of those involved in that process.  He also shared very openly and authentically about his walk and life and the importance of God being our sole focus and the church coming alongside those who struggle with homosexuality. Very powerful. *** Don't forget, you can follow live updates, pictures and videos on our Facebook Page. … [Read more...]

Charisma, California Catholic Daily and CitizenLink Cover Exodus Freedom Conference

Pastor Clark Whitten Talks With Exodus Leaders about Grace

Today we are featured in Charisma Magazine, California Catholic Daily and CitizenLink.  Also, I haven't found the link of a television interview Jeff Buchanan did with CBN (Christian Broadcasting Network.) We also have some other major media in the works and if that all works out I will post those links when they come up. Here is the first round-up of media mentions: First from Charisma Exodus International Marks 35th Year of Freedom Conferences Around 1,000 people are expected to participate in the International Freedom Conference, which begins Wednesday and includes workshops and … [Read more...]

Conference Update – Leadership Arrives, Meetings Underway, Set-up On Schedule

Exodus Lanyard

Galatians 6:2 2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Today is our third full day here at the Exodus Freedom Conference site in Irvine (I can traveling all day as one  :)) and everything is on schedule.  We had a little coffee crisis this morning but if that is the biggest hiccup we have ... we are doing really well! The Exodus Board of Directors and Regional Coordinators came in yesterday and last night for their respective meetings.  Today we are getting a good workout in for setting up the Bookstore. Putting the signage around campus and helping our … [Read more...]

The Post-Gay Momentum Is Increasing

Postgay

I am increasingly confident that we are moving into a post-gay era.  Post-gay is a very broad secular term that was created in the gay community to describe a day where they reach full equality (as they define equality) and no longer need to fight public policy, social or religious battles. I contend (hat tip to Peter Ould) that people like us are on a Christian post-gay journey where the gay vs. ex-gay vs straight labels are no longer sufficient ... or even appropriate ... to describe who or what we are about. That said, I listened to this whole program on Boston station WBUR.  The … [Read more...]

Divine Appointments At The Exodus Conference – Nathan’s Experience

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Regular readers might remember Nathan's guest follow up post about Jennifer Knapp titled True Repentance Always Comes With Provision To Live It Out. Last night he sent me another post that I thought would be an encouragement today. Parts of it are really funny too  (Emphasis Nathan ... linkage mine.) *** Still debating whether to attend the Exodus Freedom Conference next week? My advice is to go. If my past experience at three previous conferences holds true for this conference, God has some divine appointments He wants me—and you—to keep. I remember my first conference in … [Read more...]

Getting Ready for 35th Annual Freedom Conference! (Video)

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And here is the promo video for the conference ... 2010 Exodus Freedom Conference Promo from Exodus International on Vimeo. … [Read more...]