June 21, 2013

The following excerpts are from the article “Prominent Ministry to Homosexuals Folds; Leader Apologizes to Gays” by Dave Bohon on The New American website: “Exodus International, the prominent Christian ministry which for the past 37 years has helped men and women leave the homosexual lifestyle, announced June 19 that it is closing its doors. The organization’s president, Alan Chambers (shown), also issued an apology to the homosexual community, telling the Associated Press that the organization had inflicted ‘years of undue suffering’ on homosexuals it had reached out to. ‘The church has waged the culture war, and it’s time to put the weapons down,’ Chambers said after announcing at the annual conference of Exodus that the group would cease operation. ‘While there has been so much good at Exodus, there has also been bad. We’ve hurt people.’” (more…)

June 21, 2013

The following excerpt is from the article “A message the feds and others are afraid of: Ex-‘gays’ exist” by Russ Jones on the One News Now website: “The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) is a program that allows certain charitable organizations to solicit contributions from employees of the federal government of the United States. Many faith-based organizations are worried that the proposed inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity may result in squeezing religious charities out of the program and impose reverse discrimination.”

“Regina Griggs, executive director of Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays (PFOX), counts her group as among those concerned about the proposal.” (more…)

June 21, 2013

The following article “Exodus International Closes Its Doors Following Troubling Leadership of Alan Chambers” by Laurie Higgins on the Illinois Family Institute website has been reprinted in its entirety: The president of Exodus International, Alan Chambers, has just announced in an extended apology to homosexuals, that he is closing Exodus International, the ministry for those who experience unwanted same-sex attraction, and from its ashes he is creating a new organization titled “Reduce Fear.” The “fear” to which the name refers emanates from theologically orthodox churches that teach the whole counsel of God, including the pesky parts about God’s condemnation of homosexual acts. Apparently, Chambers doesn’t want to scare those who affirm homosexuality with bothersome biblical truths about eternity. (more…)

June 21, 2013

Following is the press release “Largest Christian Ministry Helping Individuals Leave Homosexuality Shuts Down – Despite the Closing of Exodus, International Healing Foundation Remain Steadfast” distributed by the International Healing Foundation: Bowie, MD – On June 19, 2013 Alan Chambers, President of Exodus International, the largest Christian ministry assisting individuals who wish to leave the homosexual life, announced that it is closing its doors and apologized to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) community for years of messages that people with same-sex attraction could change through prayer, counseling, and spiritual devotion.

It is saddening that Exodus, under its current leadership, has made statements over the efficacy of Sexual Orientation Change Effort (SOCE) when many of its same-sex attracted (SSA) leaders have failed to undergo such treatment themselves. Such leaders are also unqualified to make these statements due to their lack of training and education in the psychological field. (more…)

May 21, 2013

In Alan Chambers’ May 2013 letter “A Changing World” he attempts to explain his move away from evangelical action to missional action. The following excerpt is from the Exodus International website: … “My time in Malaysia, as well as the dozens of other countries and cultures where I have traveled and lived, taught me a great deal about being missional rather than evangelical, servant hearted rather than demanding, and listening before I speak. The more I think about these experiences and the lessons that I’ve learned, the more I realize that this is what I believe the role of the Church must be in our post-Christian world.” (more…)

June 20, 2013

The following from Restored Hope network is reprinted in its entirety: We, the Board of Restored Hope Network, grieve the decision of Alan Chambers and the board of Exodus to close down this venerable organization. It feels like the unnecessary death of a dear friend. It would have been better for them to have stepped aside and allowed others to carry on the message of hope for transformed lives. Although the timing of the news was a surprise to many, the shutting down of Exodus is the not-unexpected outcome of a cheap grace theology that severs the confession of Christ as Savior from the confession of Christ as Lord. (more…)

June 20, 2013

David Pickup gives a video testimony stating how therapy helped him overcome his unwanted same-sex attractions. Click here to go to the video.

June 20, 2013

The following “NARTH Statement on Exodus” is reprinted in its entirety: The National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH) is a multi-disciplinary professional and scientific organization that is not affiliated with religious ministries in any way. Each week professional counselors and therapists continue to meet with the many individuals seeking help for their desire to manage or diminish their unwanted homosexual attractions.

The motivation to seek therapeutic assistance for unwanted same-sex attractions vary widely from person to person but certainly religious faith plays a role for some people. (more…)

June 20, 2013

The following excerpts are from the article “Exodus International head apologizes to homosexuals on Oprah network; organization to shut down” by Kirsten Andersen on the Life Site News website: “ORLANDO, June 20, 2013 (LifeSiteNews) – The leader of a renowned ministry dedicated to helping those with same-sex attractions leave the homosexual lifestyle has done an about-face, apologizing to the gay community and announcing his ministry will be closing down.”

“Alan Chambers, 41, announced on Lisa Ling’s ‘Our America’ program on the Oprah Winfrey network that he is ‘deeply sorry’ for his involvement in promoting reparative therapies aimed at changing sexual preferences. (more…)

June 20, 2013

The following excerpts are from the Associated Press article “Christian group that sought to help gays repress same-sex attraction apologizes, closes down” on the Washington Post website: “The leader of Exodus International, a Christian ministry that worked to help people repress same-sex attraction, has apologized to the gay community for inflicting ‘years of undue suffering.’ He plans to close the organization while launching a new effort to promote reconciliation.” (more…)