| The Churches Response |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
Bridge of Hope has been ordained to proclaim truth
and liberation concerning alternatives to accepting
homosexual behavior.
Bridge of Hope does not desire to be a ministry
outside of the church, but instead we want to be a
ministry of the church and for the church. It is our
heartfelt yearning to partner with the church, the
body of Christ, to bring healing to the sexually and
relationally broken.
We want to work together with you as God's physical
hands here on earth to offer support and guidance
to those with unwanted same-sex attraction and/or
homosexual behavior.
and liberation concerning alternatives to accepting
homosexual behavior.
Bridge of Hope does not desire to be a ministry
outside of the church, but instead we want to be a
ministry of the church and for the church. It is our
heartfelt yearning to partner with the church, the
body of Christ, to bring healing to the sexually and
relationally broken.
We want to work together with you as God's physical
hands here on earth to offer support and guidance
to those with unwanted same-sex attraction and/or
homosexual behavior.
Barna Group reports the following startling statistics:
* Americans reject the idea that, "the Bible does not specifically condemn
homosexuality." It is important to note, however, that while 53% disagree
and 27% agree with the statement, a large proportion (20%) said they do
not know.
* Having a sexual relationship with someone of the same sex is morally
acceptable to 20% of Born-Again Christians.
* 34% of the born again constituency said homosexual relations between
consenting adults should be legal.
* 27% of born-again Christians view homosexuality as an acceptable
lifestyle.
* 61% of born again adults, and 65% of those who attend non-mainline
Protestant churches believe that a person chooses to be a homosexual.
Homosexuality is an unavoidable issue that is facing the church. The
Church must be equipped to address the confusion, controversy and
complexity of homosexuality.
The Church needs to understand homosexuality, pray for those who
consider themselves trapped and learn to minister to those who wish to
be free.
It is imperative that the church approach this complex issue with a heart of
compassion just as Jesus would do.
Church must be equipped to address the confusion, controversy and
complexity of homosexuality.
The Church needs to understand homosexuality, pray for those who
consider themselves trapped and learn to minister to those who wish to
be free.
It is imperative that the church approach this complex issue with a heart of
compassion just as Jesus would do.
5 Important Don’ts:
1. Don’t panic. God’s plan for redemption applies to all, meaning that there is a redemptive
approach to helping someone overcome homosexuality.
2. Don’t make false assumptions or accusations. For example, don’t assume that the person
has HIV/AIDS, is a pedophile, is currently involved in sexual activity, etc.
3. Don’t shut down pastorally or emotionally. More rejection is last thing this person needs,
especially coming from a representative of Jesus Christ.
4. Don’t pass judgment. Regardless of your familiarity or lack thereof concerning
homosexuality, remember this person is reaching out to the church for help.
5. Don’t breach the person’s confidentiality without their permission. It’s important that this
person finds safety and a helping hand in the church.
10 Easy Things to remember:
1. Be assured that NO ONE CHOOSES homosexual feelings! The act of engaging in homosexual
sex is a choice, but having the feelings of sexual attraction to the same gender are not a
choice.
2. Express God’s heart. You don’t have to be an expert to help, but you do have to have a
heart for the broken. You are God’s visible expression on earth of both His heart and His
hands. Prepare yourself to extend grace balanced with truth.
3. Because we live in a fallen world, we are all broken and in need of a Savior. Many people in
your church are sexually broken, victims of incest, pornography, rape, addictive masturbation,
and sexual addiction. Homosexuality is only one form of sexual and relational brokenness.
4. Treat them with dignity and respect like you would anyone else. Since they have only found
respect and acceptance in the gay community, show them God’s people know how to
love/agape them. Receiving them into your church does not mean you condone their
homosexuality.
5. Construct sermons that teach about healthy sexuality versus broken sexuality. Don’t
condemn homosexuality from the pulpit without offering hope for redemption. Let your
motivation be a sincere desire to minister and not to make a position/political statement.
6. Invest some time (or appoint some of your church leaders) in understanding the origin,
power and appeal of homosexuality. Get prepared to understand the hope and reality of
change. There are many debates about the origin of homosexuality, some fact and some
fiction. Know the difference.
7. Call on support groups and professional Christian counseling resources. Partner with other
resources that can help you. Let your church teach the person to apply the Word of God, Grace,
Truth, Prayer and Christian Fellowship.
8. The most success in overcoming same-sex attraction has occurred when they experience
God as Healer through relationship with heterosexual people who are willing to walk beside
them in their journey – men helping men, and women helping women. Allow your church to
minister to their relational needs.
9. Since many homosexuals have been told that they have committed the unpardonable sin,
help them to understand what it means to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. This
is the SUM TOTAL of all the ministering that we as Christians have to offer.
10. Finally, in dealing with and responding to homosexual people, Joe Dallas describes three
basic types:
Militant – have a rigid agenda to normalize homosexuality combined with intolerance for
opposing viewpoints:
Response: Defend without attacking
Moderate – represents most homosexual people. We share many of the same dreams,
many of the same likes and dislikes and worry about many of the same things. They are
generally not interested in changing.
Response: Be ambassadors of Christ as Jesus was to the Samaritan woman.
Repentant – those who desire to abandon homosexuality to follow Jesus.
Response: 1) Realize that they are abandoning a whole network of support and identity; 2)
establish safe ministries of redemption.
1. Don’t panic. God’s plan for redemption applies to all, meaning that there is a redemptive
approach to helping someone overcome homosexuality.
2. Don’t make false assumptions or accusations. For example, don’t assume that the person
has HIV/AIDS, is a pedophile, is currently involved in sexual activity, etc.
3. Don’t shut down pastorally or emotionally. More rejection is last thing this person needs,
especially coming from a representative of Jesus Christ.
4. Don’t pass judgment. Regardless of your familiarity or lack thereof concerning
homosexuality, remember this person is reaching out to the church for help.
5. Don’t breach the person’s confidentiality without their permission. It’s important that this
person finds safety and a helping hand in the church.
10 Easy Things to remember:
1. Be assured that NO ONE CHOOSES homosexual feelings! The act of engaging in homosexual
sex is a choice, but having the feelings of sexual attraction to the same gender are not a
choice.
2. Express God’s heart. You don’t have to be an expert to help, but you do have to have a
heart for the broken. You are God’s visible expression on earth of both His heart and His
hands. Prepare yourself to extend grace balanced with truth.
3. Because we live in a fallen world, we are all broken and in need of a Savior. Many people in
your church are sexually broken, victims of incest, pornography, rape, addictive masturbation,
and sexual addiction. Homosexuality is only one form of sexual and relational brokenness.
4. Treat them with dignity and respect like you would anyone else. Since they have only found
respect and acceptance in the gay community, show them God’s people know how to
love/agape them. Receiving them into your church does not mean you condone their
homosexuality.
5. Construct sermons that teach about healthy sexuality versus broken sexuality. Don’t
condemn homosexuality from the pulpit without offering hope for redemption. Let your
motivation be a sincere desire to minister and not to make a position/political statement.
6. Invest some time (or appoint some of your church leaders) in understanding the origin,
power and appeal of homosexuality. Get prepared to understand the hope and reality of
change. There are many debates about the origin of homosexuality, some fact and some
fiction. Know the difference.
7. Call on support groups and professional Christian counseling resources. Partner with other
resources that can help you. Let your church teach the person to apply the Word of God, Grace,
Truth, Prayer and Christian Fellowship.
8. The most success in overcoming same-sex attraction has occurred when they experience
God as Healer through relationship with heterosexual people who are willing to walk beside
them in their journey – men helping men, and women helping women. Allow your church to
minister to their relational needs.
9. Since many homosexuals have been told that they have committed the unpardonable sin,
help them to understand what it means to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. This
is the SUM TOTAL of all the ministering that we as Christians have to offer.
10. Finally, in dealing with and responding to homosexual people, Joe Dallas describes three
basic types:
Militant – have a rigid agenda to normalize homosexuality combined with intolerance for
opposing viewpoints:
Response: Defend without attacking
Moderate – represents most homosexual people. We share many of the same dreams,
many of the same likes and dislikes and worry about many of the same things. They are
generally not interested in changing.
Response: Be ambassadors of Christ as Jesus was to the Samaritan woman.
Repentant – those who desire to abandon homosexuality to follow Jesus.
Response: 1) Realize that they are abandoning a whole network of support and identity; 2)
establish safe ministries of redemption.
| Exodus International has established the Exodus Church Network. The Exodus Church Network is a network of churches which stand on the truth of Scripture and open their local community to those impacted by homosexuality. Being a part of this network will highlight your church as a ‘safe’ place for someone desiring freedom from homosexuality or for anyone impacted by homosexuality. The Exodus Church Network is a great way to partner with Exodus and Bridge of Hope in proclaiming to the world that freedom from homosexuality is possible through Jesus Christ. This site contains many resources to help your local church community be a great place of healing for anyone impacted by homosexuality. |
How Can You Help?
* Pray for Bridge of Hope, Exodus International and all other ministries that deal with
sexual brokenness, especially homosexuality.
* Provide us feedback about our website. It's designed to be a resource for you as well
as a referral to others.
* Become a Healing Church by balancing biblical truth about homosexuality with the
compassion of God for transformation of homosexual men and women through His
Word and His Son.
* Prepare and commit your leaders (especially youth leaders) to using their gifts to assist
men, women and youth who desire to overcome homosexuality.
* Create a positive safe environment where at risk men, women and youth will feel
welcomed to deal with issues concerning their sexuality in a healthy way.
* Refer those who have a heart to serve in this type of ministry to Bridge of Hope.
* Dialogue with us. Contact us, get to know us, and let us know how we can serve you.
* Consider supporting our ministry with a financial donation. See the ways you can lend
a hand on the Contact Us page.
* Pray for Bridge of Hope, Exodus International and all other ministries that deal with
sexual brokenness, especially homosexuality.
* Provide us feedback about our website. It's designed to be a resource for you as well
as a referral to others.
* Become a Healing Church by balancing biblical truth about homosexuality with the
compassion of God for transformation of homosexual men and women through His
Word and His Son.
* Prepare and commit your leaders (especially youth leaders) to using their gifts to assist
men, women and youth who desire to overcome homosexuality.
* Create a positive safe environment where at risk men, women and youth will feel
welcomed to deal with issues concerning their sexuality in a healthy way.
* Refer those who have a heart to serve in this type of ministry to Bridge of Hope.
* Dialogue with us. Contact us, get to know us, and let us know how we can serve you.
* Consider supporting our ministry with a financial donation. See the ways you can lend
a hand on the Contact Us page.
| WE LOOK FORWARD TO PARTNERING WITH YOU! |
| to deliver...and keep them alive... Psalm 33:18-19 |
| For more information, e-mail us at admin@bohcolumbus.com. Briefly explain how you found out about us and how our ministry can be of assistance to you. |