DEVOTIONS Solid Relationships If believers must someday give an account to God, then enlisting other believers for prayer support and encouragement in the here and now makes good sense. Mark O. Hatfield
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For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow, it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. …
My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth ...
Rapid numerical growth in a church can be so painful that it may motivate long-time members to drop into inactivity or seek a new church home. Perhaps the most productive response is to accept that discomfort as a natural, predictable price tag on growing younger and larger. The next step is for leaders to try to reduce that level of discomfort. Here are some ways to do that:
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 ...
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