Urgent care situations often require an immediate response from church leaders. This overview outlines major steps you should take when reaching to a person who struggles with homosexual thoughts or actions. These action steps are explored in greater depth and detail in the remainder of this packet.
Immediate Concerns
Most homosexual men and women will be reticent to talk or give information. Initially, an understanding, non-condemning attitude will be necessary to establish a helping relationship.
Making Sense of Homosexuality Change is possible, and it can happen with the church’s compassionate care. by James D. Berkley
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Homosexuality causes crises—for the one who discovers personal affection for the same sex; for parents and other relatives who learn of it; for a society facing issues of public health, civil rights questions, and widespread confusion about homosexuality; and for a church learning to exist in a new day and age.
The crisis we'll focus on is the personal one: the crisis of those who confront their ...
No Easy Victory A plea from a Christian who daily resists his homosexual desires. by Anonymous
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I am a business executive, congregation president, youth-group leader, athletic coach, happily married man, and proud father of a couple of teenagers. Oh—and I'm gay. My admission requires some explanation, and perhaps some supporting evidence. You see, except for some experimentation during adolescence, I have not acted on my desires.
I first became aware of my sexual orientation when I was about ...
Counseling Guidelines A look at the principles that can make a counseling program for homosexuals a success. by James D. Berkley
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The ministry of Hal Schell at College Hill Presbyterian Church in Cincinnati was known nationwide as one in which people found life-changing recovery from struggles with homosexuality. Not all emerged victorious, but many did. In their experience, they've found these factors important:
• Reasonable confidentiality. The shame involved in homosexuality is nearly all-consuming. For strugglers to ...
Entering Their World Successful ministry to homosexuals depends on seeing life through their eyes. by Chad Thompson
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The most potent ingredient in effective ministry is the ability to love successfully. As Christians, we can be as well-intentioned as we want to be, but if our approach alienates those we are trying to love, it may be time to try something else.
Gary Chapman, in his book The Five Love Languages (Northfield Publishing, 2004), writes: "We must be willing to learn our spouse's primary love language if ...
ARTICLE Talking About Homosexuality Christians need to take certain steps in order to extend our message of healing and grace. by Chad Thompson
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Ministry must be tailored to the needs and circumstances of an audience. Chad Thompson notes the tightrope that Jude mentions in his epistle. Jude advises, "Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh" (Jude 22–23, NIV). Following this passage, Thompson encourages us to ...
Mario Bergner believes that homosexuality is redeemable and changeable. When discussing it, he combines medical and spiritual knowledge with personal experience—having had his own life redeemed from the sin of acting on homosexual desires. Here, he considers how healing, pastoral care, discipleship, and church ministries combine to bring about redemption. Importantly, he defines homosexuality ...
Many parents have struggled through conversations with children who are convinced of their homosexuality. While no parent could ever fully prepare for that conversation, this article offers helpful advice for parents by mapping out the important points to clarify with a child facing the possibility of homosexuality.
When someone says, "I'm gay," that doesn't answer the question as to how the person ...
This is a response and action plan to implement with people who have discovered their spouse's homosexual behavior.
Confrontation
If you've discovered your spouse's behavior but haven't yet confronted him, plan to do so as soon as possible. If you're uncertain what to say or how to say it, make an appointment with a pastor or counselor today and plan the best time and approach. Then follow through. ...
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