Transcript The Church's Responsibility

Ministering to the
Sexually Broken
New Hope Ministries
FRANK WORTHEN
LORD!
TO WHOM SHALL WE GO?
YOU HAVE THE WORDS,
THE MESSAGE
OF ETERNAL LIFE
John 6:68
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THE CHURCH MUST NOT
UNDERESTIMATE ITSELF,
THE CHURCH OFFERS THE
ONLY HOPE AVAILABLE
TO THOSE SEEKING A WAY OUT
OF HOMOSEXUALITY
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THOSE DISSATISFIED WITH THE GAY
LIFESTYLE HAVE BEEN ABANDONED
BY THE ENTIRE SECULAR WORLD
THEY HAVE ALSO BEEN
ABANDONED BY MOST OF
THE CHURCH
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THE UNCLEAR TRUMPET CALL
WHAT DO GAY PEOPLE
FIND IN THE CHURCH?
THEY FIND THE CHURCH USING WHATEVER IS
THE PSYCHOLOGY OF THE DAY.
THEY FIND THE CHURCH LOCKED IN
DEBATE AND DIVISION OVER THE ISSUE OF
HOMOSEXUALITY
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THEY FIND MANY CHURCHES TELLING
THEM THEY CAN’T CHANGE AND HAVE
NO NEED OF CHANGE
THAT GOD ACCEPTS THEM AND THEIR
HOMOSEXUALITY JUST AS THEY ARE
“You have encouraged and strengthened the hands of
the wicked, that he should not return from his
wicked way and be saved, in that you falsely
promised him life.” Ezekiel 13:22
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QUESTIONS THAT NEED ANSWERS
WHY HAS THE CHURCH FAILED TO MEET
THE NEEDS OF HOMOSEXUAL PEOPLE?
WHAT DOES THE HOMOSEXUAL
PERSON NEED?
HOW CAN THESE NEEDS BE
FULFILLED?
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PEOPLE COMING OUT OF
HOMOSEXUALITY DESPERATELY NEED
THE CHURCH
THEY NEED TO BE DISCIPLED, TO BE
MENTORED, TO KNOW GOD’S
STANDARD SO THEY CAN MOLD THEIR
LIFE AROUND THESE STANDARDS
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QUO VADIS?
BECAUSE THE CHURCH HAS
LOST IT’S WAY, IT CANNOT
HELP THOSE IN NEED FIND
THEIR WAY.
CHANGE REQUIRES A LEVEL OF
CHRISTIANITY
NOT KNOWN TO MOST CHRISTIANS
MOST CHURCHES ARE UNABLE TO
MODEL THAT LEVEL OF
CHRISTIANITY BECAUSE IT IS
CAUGHT UP IN THE PHILOSOPHY
OF THE WORLD AND IS UNAWARE
THAT THERE IS SUCH A HIGHER
LEVEL OF COMMITMENT.
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NOT OF THIS WORLD
“IF YOU BELONGED TO THE
WORLD, THE WORLD WOULD
TREAT YOU WITH AFFECTION
AND LOVE YOU AS ITS OWN,
BUT BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT
OF THE WORLD, THE WORLD
HATES YOU.”
(JOHN 15:19)
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NOT OF THIS WORLD
THE CHURCH HAS COMPROMISED
ITS STANDARDS. SOME HAVE
BECOME SELF-HELP GROUPS.
IT HAS LOST THE MESSAGE OF
PERSONAL SACRIFICE, BECOMING
A PECULIAR PEOPLE SET APART
FROM THE WORLD.
THE GOSPEL JESUS PREACHED WAS
ONE OF REPENTANCE
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AT ODDS WITH THE WORLD
CHRISTIANS ARE TO BE DISCIPLINED FOLLOWERS OF
JESUS, SUFFERING THE SAME REJECTION AND RIDICULE
HE SUFFERED.
BEWARE WHEN ALL MEN SPEAK WELL OF YOU. (LUKE 6:26)
TODAY CHURCH MEMBERS WANT TO BE LOVED BY THE
WORLD. THEY WANT TO BE SEEN AS “TOLERANT.” THEY
GLADLY ACCEPT WHAT THE WORLD ACCEPTS TO BE SEEN
AS LOVING PEOPLE.
IT IS NOT LOVING TO ENCOURAGE SIN OR RENAME SIN.
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THE GAY PERSON
ENTERS
THE GAY LIFESTYLE
TO FIND
THE VERY THINGS THE
CHURCH SHOULD HAVE
IN ABUNDANCE.
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•
•
•
•
•
•
•
LOVE
UNDERSTANDING
AFFIRMATION
CARE
INCLUSION
SENSE OF BELONGING
COMPANIONSHIP/FELLOWSHIP
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THE CHURCH MUST PRESENT
GOD’S STANDARDS,
NOT THE WORLDS STANDARDS
THE DIFFICULT BALANCE:
WE ARE TO LOVE THE STRANGER, THE LOST, THE
POOR AND NEEDY, THE HURTING, THE WOUNDED
YET, WE ARE NEVER TO COMPROMISE GOD’S WORD
THE CHURCH MUST NEVER CAST ASIDE GOD’S
STANDARDS AND ACCEPT THE WORLD’S
STANDARDS OF TOLERANCE AND ACCEPTANCE
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GAYS ARE NOT A SPECIAL
CATEGORY OF CHRISTIANS
WHAT APPLIES TO OTHER CHRISTIANS
APPLIES TO THE GAY PERSON AS WELL
CELIBACY
IF NOT MARRIED TO THE OPPOSITE SEX
THE CHURCH MUST NOT THINK THAT IT IS PLACING
AN INTOLERABLE BURDEN BY ASKING THE GAY
PERSON TO MAINTAIN CELIBACY AND TO PLACE
VALUE ON PURITY.
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WHO SHOULD WE WELCOME
INTO THE CHURCH?
“GO OUT TO THE HIGHWAYS AND
COMPEL PEOPLE TO COME IN THAT MY
HOUSE MAY BE FILLED.” (LUKE 14;23)
ALL PEOPLE, REGARDLESS OF SIN
SHOULD HAVE ACCESS TO THE
WORD OF GOD
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JESUS SAID: “THOSE WHO
ARE WELL HAVE NO NEED
OF A PHYSICIAN, BUT
THOSE WHO ARE SICK. I
HAVE NOT COME TO CALL
THE RIGHTEOUS BUT
SINNERS TO
REPENTANCE.”
LUKE 5:31,32
THE LORD IS NOT WILLING THAT ANY
SHOULD PERISH, BUT ALL SHOULD
REACH REPENTANCE. 2 PETER 3:9
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WHAT ARE THE RULES?
GAY PEOPLE SHOULD BE TREATED AS ANYONE
ELSE. IF THEY DO NOT DISRUPT THE SERVICES,
THEY SHOULD BE WELCOMED.
NEVER SHOULD THEY BE
ALLOWED TO PROMOTE THE
HOMOSEXUAL LIFESTYLE OR
DEMAND ACCEPTANCE OF THAT
LIFESTYLE.
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CHURCH MEMBERSHIP
CHURCH MEMBERSHIP IS A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT
ISSUE. IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH BEING GAY OR
STRAIGHT.
ALL REPENTANT SINNERS SHOULD BE WELCOMED INTO
CHURCH MEMBERSHIP
ALL UNREPENTANT SINNERS SHOULD NOT
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REACHING GAY PEOPLE
BUILDING A TRUST RELATIONSHIP
FRIENDSHIP EVANGELISM
• BE NON-THREATENING AND AFFIRMING
WITHOUT COMPROMISE
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REACHING GAY PEOPLE
BUILDING A TRUST RELATIONSHIP
ESTABLISH A STABLE RELATIONSHIP
• ONE THAT WILL LAST
• BE COMMITTED TO A LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIP
• BE AVAILABLE
SEE GAY PEOPLE AS A MISSION FIELD
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METHODS OF REACHING GAYS
STREET WITNESSING & TRACTS
• NO SPECIFIC TRACTS
• NO HEAVENLY DECEPTION
ADS
• BE CLEAR ABOUT BEING CHRISTIAN
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METHODS OF REACHING GAYS
DRAMA/MUSIC/SKITS
GAYS AT WORK THE MOST EFFECTIVE OUTREACH
START A MINISTRY AND THEY WILL FIND YOU
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WHAT THE NEEDS ARE
• LISTENING EAR
• KNOWLEDGE OF GOD’S WORD
• LOVING CONFRONTATION
• POSITIVE HOPE
• MORE THAN ONE PERSON THAT CARES
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IS THERE A COST INVOLVED?
TIME AND EMOTIONS
KNOW WHAT IT MEANS TO GIVE OF YOURSELF TO OTHERS
• IRRITATIONS
• DISAPPOINTMENTS
• FEELING USED
• CALLS AT INOPPORTUNE TIMES
• EMBARRASSMENT
ALSO KNOW THAT THERE ARE COSTS IN
REFUSING TO DO WHAT GOD DIRECTS US TO DO
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ACCEPTING CHANGE
WHEN OFFERED
PEOPLE WITH SAME-SEX DESIRES ARE NOT
RESPONSIBLE FOR THOSE DESIRES, BUT ARE
RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT THEY DO WITH THEM.
WHEN CHANGE IS OFFERED, THEY ARE THEN
RESPONSIBLE TO WELCOME CHANGE IN THEIR
LIFE.
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GREATEST NEED/GREATEST RISK
AFFIRMING RELATIONSHIPS
ALL PEOPLE NEED TO BE LOVED AND AFFIRMED, HAVING A
SENSE OF BELONGING, THE BEST WORD:
HEALING RELATIONSHIPS ARE ONLY HEALING WHEN
NOTHING IS HIDDEN, ALL IS KNOWN ABOUT BOTH
INDIVIDUALS. NO RELATIONSHIP IS HEALING WHEN ONE
PARTY IS THINKING: “IF THEY ONLY KNEW…THEY WOULD
REJECT ME.”
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WHAT THE EX-GAY MUST DO TO
INITIATE CHANGE
RENOUNCE ALL HOSTILITY TOWARD GOD AND THE CHURCH
SEE THE CHURCH AS HIS ONLY ANSWER
BE VOCAL - COMMUNICATE HIS/HER NEEDS TO THE CHURCH
SUPPORT THE CHURCH
SERVE THE CHURCH
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DILIGENTLY BUILDING A
NEW LIFETYLE
• MAKE A DECISIVE DECISION - “I WILL NOT GO
BACK NO MATTER WHAT!”
• TAKE RELATIONAL RISKS, SEEKING
FRIENDSHIPS WITH STRAIGHT MEN (OR WOMEN)
• “I WAS IN THE CHURCH EVERY TIME THE DOOR
WAS OPEN”
• NEW ASSOCIATIONS - PLEASANT TIMES WITH
CHRISTIANS
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DILIGENTLY BUILDING A
NEW LIFETYLE
• DO ALL THAT IS REQUIRED OF ALL CHRISTIANS NOT EXEMPTING SELF
• A POSITIVE ATTITUDE - WILLINGNESS TO WAIT
ON GOD FOR CHANGE TO TAKE PLACE. A
THANKFUL SPIRIT
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WHY THE MESSAGE OF CHANGE IS
NOT BELIEVED
A PRO-GAY MEDIA CONSPIRACY
THE CHURCH HAS NOT PRODUCED EX-GAYS
EX-GAYS HAVE CONCEALED THEIR PAST AND NOT
WITNESSED TO CHANGE
THE PSYCHOLOGICAL COMMUNITY WRITES OFF ANYTHING
SPIRITUAL
CHANGE IS VERY DIFFICULT AND GAYS DON’T WANT TO
MAKE THE EFFORT TO CHANGE
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WHAT SENDS A GAY PERSON BACK
TO THE OLD LIFESTYLE?
AN UNAFFIRMING CHURCH
• HEARING GAY JOKES, OR NEGATIVE MESSAGES
FROM THE PULPIT.
FEAR
• TOO FEARFUL TO BE HONEST AND TAKE ADVANTAGE
OF THE LOVE BEING OFFERED.
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WHAT SENDS A GAY PERSON BACK
TO THE OLD LIFESTYLE?
LONELINESS
• UNWILLINGNESS TO TAKE RELATIONSHIP RISKS.
PROJECTING REJECION WHERE NONE MAY EXIST
• EXPECTING THE CHURCH TO COMPETE WITH THE
FRANTIC PACE OF THE GAY LIFESTYLE
SPIRITUAL WARFARE
• FLASHBACKS/ASSOCIATIONS AND
MISUNDERSTANDINGS
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YOUR PART
IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO DO INDIVIDUALLY
WHAT YOUR CHURCH MAY NOT BE DOING.
YOU CAN INFLUENCE YOUR CHURCH
• EDUCATE YOURSELF
• SEEK OTHERS TO JOIN YOU IN REACHING
OUT TO GAYS
DO NOT ACCEPT THE LIE THAT GAYS CAN’T
CHANGE
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YOUR PART
WHEN PEOPLE SAY GAYS CAN’T CHANGE, ASK
WHERE IS THE PROOF?
KNOW THAT HELPING A GAY PERSON WILL NOT
BE EASY FOR YOU OR FOR HIM OR HER.
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WHAT DO EX-GAY PEOPLE WANT TO
TELL THE CHURCH?
1. DON'T
THINK
OF
HOMOSEXUALITY
AS
SOMETHING UNUSUAL. REALIZE THAT EVERY
CHURCH HAS MANY PEOPLE STRUGGLING
WITH THIS ISSUE, BUT ARE AFRAID TO SHARE
THEIR PROBLEMS.
2. STOP BEING EMBARRASSED IN TALKING
ABOUT HOMOSEXUALITY. EMBARRASSMENT
INHIBITS SHARING AND HEALING.
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3. WHEN SOMEONE SHARES, DO NOT IGNORE IT,
BUT FOLLOW UP ON THAT PERSON. ONE
COUNSELING OR SHARING SESSION IS NEVER
ENOUGH. CHANGE IS AN ON-GOING PROCESS
THAT MAY LAST MANY YEARS. IT TAKES LONGTERM INVOLVEMENT.
4. HOMOSEXUAL PEOPLE NEED WARMTH. CHURCH
PEOPLE OFTEN WILL NOT TOUCH THEM, BUT
TOUCH IS NEEDED AND WILL BRING HEALING.
MANY GAYS FEEL THAT CHURCH PEOPLE SEE
THEM AS DISEASED. THERE SHOULD NOT BE AN
IRRATIONAL FEAR OF AIDS. SHOW THE SAME
AFFECTION THAT YOU SHOW TO OTHERS.
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WHAT DO EX-GAY PEOPLE WANT TO
TELL THE CHURCH?
5. THE CHURCH MEMBERS CANNOT GIVE TO THE
GAY PERSON MORE THAN THEY HAVE
RECEIVED. THEY MUST MODEL CHRISTIANITY
FOR THE GAY PERSON. WE NEED THE CLOSER
WALK SO THAT WE WILL BE JESUS TO THE
PERSON WE ATTEMPT TO HELP.
6. REALIZE THAT PUBERTY IS A SPECIAL TIME
WHEN IDENTITY IS BEING FORMED. HELP THE
TEEN-AGE PERSON BUILD A SOLID IDENTITY.
TAKE AN INTEREST IN ALL PEOPLE GOING
THROUGH PUBERTY.
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WHAT DO EX-GAY PEOPLE WANT TO
TELL THE CHURCH?
7. HELP A HOMOSEXUAL PERSON TO SHARE.
BUILT A TRUST RELATIONSHIP THAT WILL
MAKE SHARING EASY AND NATURAL.
8. STOP EXPECTING ZAP DELIVERANCE. CHANGE
IS A PROCESS.
9. FOLLOW THE BIBLICAL PRINCIPLE OF
HOSPITALITY, INVITE GAY PEOPLE TO YOUR
HOME OR OUT TO EAT.
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10. SPEND TIME WITH THE GAY PERSON, STUDY
GOD'S WORD WITH THEM. HELP THEM
BECOME WELL GROUNDED IN CHRIST AND TO
KNOW HOW TO PUT THEIR ARMOR ON. EACH
CHURCH MEMBER SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED
TO INTERACT PERSONALLY WITH GAY
PEOPLE AND NOT LEAVE IT UP TO THE
PASTOR OR SOME SELECTED PEOPLE.
11. ALLOW THE GAY PERSON TO HAVE A SERVICE
IN THE CHURCH. THIS HELPS HIM TO FEEL
THAT HE IS A VALUABLE PART OF THE BODY.
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WHAT DO EX-GAY PEOPLE WANT TO
TELL THE CHURCH?
12. THE CHURCH SHOULD UNDERSTAND THAT
MANY GAYS DO NOT HAVE GOOD SOCIAL
SKILLS. THEY MAY BE WITHDRAWN AND
FEARFUL, THEY NEED SOME SPECIAL
ATTENTION.
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ISAIAH CHAPTER 58
IF YOU DO AWAY WITH THE YOKE OF OPPRESSION, WITH THE
POINTING FINGER AND MALICIOUS TALK, AND IF YOU SPEND
YOURSELVES IN BEHALF OF THE HUNGRY, AND SATISFY THE
NEEDS OF THE OPPRESSED, THEN YOUR LIGHT WILL RISE IN
THE DARKNESS, AND YOUR NIGHT WILL BECOME AS
NOONDAY.
THE LORD WILL GUIDE YOU ALWAYS; HE WILL SATISFY YOUR
NEEDS IN A SUN-SCORCHED LAND AND WILL STRENGTHEN
YOUR FRAME. YOU WILL BE LIKE A WELL-WATERED GARDEN,
LIKE A SPRING WHOSE WATERS NEVER FAIL. (ISA 58:9-11 NIV)
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