A Response to Exodus International’s Apology

by Ron Browning, GFI alumnus and Christ-centered counselor at New Heart Expressions in Colorado.

The closure of Exodus International saddens me. However, I am excited to see how the Gospel will prevail in the cultural climate of 21st century America. As gay marriage becomes more prevalent and traditional family values become the minority, it will be interesting to see God’s response and learn how we can be involved in His agenda.

In light of recent events regarding Exodus Int’l and her president Alan Chambers, I have been asked by several colleagues and students what my thoughts are pertaining to Exodus’ closing and Chambers’ public comments. There seems to be a sense of confusion and shared anger, left in the Exodus’/Chambers’ wake, amongst those who seek freedom from homosexuality, and/or those who teach freedom from such habitual sin. The LGBTQ community is reveling over the Exodus’ demise!

Chambers seems to have become the joint enemy, of both the Christian and LGBTQ communities, with statements like this from his public apology: “There were several years that I conveniently omitted my ongoing same-sex attractions. I was afraid to share them as readily and easily as I do today. They brought me tremendous shame and I hid them in the hopes they would go away.” Most of us, relate, don’t we? ‘If we can just make the sin go away…’

Chambers continues, “Looking back, it seems so odd that I thought I could do something to make them stop. Today, however, I accept these feelings as parts of my life that will likely always be there. The days of feeling shame over being human in that way are long over, and I feel free simply accepting myself as my wife and family does. As my friends do. As God does.”

Chambers’ apology can be found at http://exodusinternational.org/2013/06/i-am-sorry/. In this apology, he also states: “More than anything, I am sorry that so many have interpreted this religious rejection by Christians as God’s rejection.” I, too, share Chambers’ sorrow over the tremendous hurt many have incurred from offensive words, misguided judgments, and mistreatment. Without lending further conflict to the current perplexity, I believe the only clarifying response is a rejoinder, in light of the Gospel.

Continue reading…The Gospel and Homosexuality