Hi Ann, I think the stance most people take who pursue congruence is that they would not deny any change in their inner world that took place but they are not seeking it or using change as an indicator of their holiness, stance before God, level of effort to live a congruent life, etc.

Straight conservative pastor checking in here. I have followed what you and your ministry have been doing for quite some time .. I even recall some conversations on Bridges Across (though I think I joined that forum after those conversations had taken place). I was also at the GCN conference this last January and listend to that entire conversation.

Now to the point .. I think William’s questions deserve some real answers. And I think Iain’s posts deserve a really thoughtful and compassionate and humble response. And while I am pleased with what Michael Bussee seems to think you are saying I would like to hear it directly from you. And I would like to hear these kinds of answers, not just here, but everywhere .. in a very public way.

If Exodus has misled people (and I believe it has) and if Exodus has harmed people (either intentionally or not) .. and if Exodus has put out an theology/ideology (which it no longer endorses) then Exodus needs to repent. And they need to repent publically and be very specific about what they are repenting of. And repentance does not sound like “we were misunderstood” or “we didn’t do those things”. Repentance is where you state exactly what you did that was wrong and what you are going to do in the future to correct that..

Without repentance there can be no forgiveness. That is a biblical principle. Without repentance there can be no trust. And, as I am sure you are aware, trust will not come easily. It does not necessarily follow on the heels of repentence. It takes time. .. time to see if the repentance is real. And I would remind you that the root meaning of repentance is a change of direction.

-Repentance (change of direction) starts to look real when public apologies are made.

-Repentance (change of direction) starts to look real when you recall books authored by you that say that to identify as gay is as sinful as having promiscuous sex.

-Repentance (change of direction) starts to look real when you map out a clear path for the future for your organization. (Some examples: How does Exodus respond to those who do not share its sexual morality ethic? What does Exodus believe is required to be a Christian .. committment to Exodus ideology on identity and morals .. or faith in and total submission to Christ .)

– Repentance (change of direction) starts to look real when you screen your church associations and referrals to match that new direction and path.

I appreciate the courageous steps you are taking . But as an international organization who has made certain claims for years .. its just not good enough to claim you were misunderstood on some issues. As an international organization giving specific advice to churches around the world its your job to communicate well and have clarity in mission, purpose and direction. You are IMO going to need to ‘fess up to some things and make amends and not hide behind excuses.

I pray that God continues to guide you in this direction and grants you the courage to do what needs to be done.

Blessings,

Dave

I also think this split within Exodus comes down to 2 basic questions:

(1) PSYCHOLOGY: Do people change their sexual orientation from homosexual to heterosexual through these programs?

(2) THEOLOGY: Can a homosexual Christian lose their salvation if they accept a “gay identity” or a “gay lifestyle”?

The groups that have left (including Frank Worthen’s) would say “Yes” to both questions. Alan Chambers seems to be saying, “No” to both.

I agree with him.

“As someone who was part of the ex-gay world, who was one who “went back to the lifestyle,” and “didn’t try hard enough,” I want nothing more than to hear them say, “look, we screwed up. And we’re sorry.”

So would an ever-growing number of Exodus drop-outs, cast-offs and “ex-gay” survivors. Alan Chambers posted (above) that he accepts that the burden is on Exodus. — and has promised “proof, amends and changes”. I hope he means it.