SBC’s ministry to homosexuals shifts into higher gear
- May 22, 2007 - 19
Bob Stith soon may be stepping down as pastor of Carroll Baptist Church in Southlake, Texas, but he is definitely not stepping away from ministry. He officially becomes the director of the Southern Baptists’ Ministry to Homosexuals Task Force June 1.
It was Stith who introduced the motion at the 2001 Southern Baptist Convention meeting that called on the SBC to “establish a task force to inform, educate, and encourage our people to be proactive and redemptive in reaching out to those who struggle with unwanted same-sex attractions.”
Under Stith’s leadership, the task force is expected to develop workshops and conferences for training local church staff, as well as developing resources for pastors, SBC seminary students, and others to aid them in their ministerial outreach to the homosexual community.
LifeWay Christian Resources has providing start-up funding for the ministry, including the director’s position.
“When God first convicted me about this issue in 1994, my whole attitude toward homosexuals was negative and condemning,” Stith said. He readily admits he is a changed man; his passion to tell whoever will listen that the church has a scriptural mandate to reach all people is evident.
Stith said he introduced the motion to get the convention to look at the issue and consider a redemptive ministry to the homosexual community. He feared, however, that he might be “spitting in the wind” in bringing the issue to the convention floor.
While Stith found the convention’s leadership far more responsive than he could have imagined, churches have not responded quite as well, he admitted, noting that the burden to carry out this ministry rests on local churches.
He recounted a phone call he recently received from a parent of a child in the homosexual lifestyle who was asking for help. Stith said he was disheartened to tell the person there is not a support ministry within 200 miles of the major Texas city where they live.
“It breaks my heart how often I hear from parents and strugglers that have no ministry and no support in their community,” Stith said, expressing hope that state Baptist conventions would take it upon themselves to establish centers for ministry in their areas.
Stith said he was unsure why church staffs don’t view the issue as he does—“perhaps the most critical issue the church is facing”—but he speculated, “Many churches convince themselves they don’t have this problem. And a lot of people would just rather avoid it.”
Yet an ambivalent attitude toward the issue portends a bigger issue, Stith said, warning of a looming biblical crisis.
Those seeking to make the homosexual lifestyle normative “knew the only way to get past the evangelical church on this issue was to make it appear the Bible doesn’t speak against homosexual behavior,” Stith continued, expressing concern that many churchgoers have only a surface understanding of the Bible’s teaching on the issue.
“Many conservative Christians don’t understand how to refute those arguments,” he said. “In fact, people in the pews are beginning to believe homosexuals can’t change and that they are born ‘that way.’” Some studies estimate that at least a third of the population believe homosexuals are born not made and therefore cannot change.
That belief means the Bible is not accurate since it says clearly there were those in the early church who had come out of the homosexual lifestyle, Stith noted, citing the Apostle Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11.
Some believers are quiet because they’re not that confident they can rely on these Scriptures and if these passages are errant, it is only natural you begin questioning other parts of the Bible, he suggested.
Even a tacit embrace of homosexuality as acceptable and normal threatens the authority of Scripture, he said.
What does success as director of a ministry to homosexuals look like to Stith?
He’s reserved in sharing his dreams, but he hopes his leadership of the ministry leads SBC seminaries to examine how they are preparing pastoral students to address the issue once they are on the field. He said the preparation needs to focus on the ministry need itself, the biblical foundations of the issue, and the truth of the psychological and genetic claims made by homosexual advocacy groups and others.
A major part of his work is informing Southern Baptists and others of the facts.
“There is not a single scientifically replicable study that demonstrates people cannot change,” he explained.
And he talks excitedly about the letter he received from the president of the American Psychological Association after he had written expressing frustration with the organization’s “hard stance that homosexuals can’t change.” The APA leader corrected him, telling him the association was aware that “people change all the time.”
Learn more about the task force.
Further Learning
Learn more about: Faith, Apologetics, Ministry, Family, Sexual Purity, Homosexuality
19 comments (post your own) feed
1 On May 23rd, 2007, at 2:22pm, Dan Valdes wrote:
Ask Exodus or the folks at Love in Action or any number of folks in the “ex-gay” ministry what they mean when they say “Change is Possible” or “Freedom in Jesus Christ” and let us know.
2 On May 23rd, 2007, at 2:42pm, Staff wrote:
Per Dan’s request in Post 1:
From Exodus…
Exodus’ page dedicated to the topic ‘Change’
‘How does a homosexual person change?’ - Exodus
‘Is Change Possible?’ - Exodus
‘First Person’ articles from folks who’ve left the lifestyle... - Exodus
Also, upcoming on For Faith & Family Radio is former director of Exodus (Bob Davies). Look for it on Thursday and Friday of this week. (Podcast it.)
3 On May 24th, 2007, at 1:05pm, Dan Valdes wrote:
“A major part of his work is informing Southern Baptists and others of the facts.”
The sad thing is that nothing could be further from the truth, especially in regards to human sexuality. The “ex-gay” industry is a puppet of the political right. Upon even cursory inspection that is easily discernable. The facts are that most gay people don’t stop having same sex attraction and it’s not even a stated realistic goal of the “ex-gay” industry.
The road to happiness is acceptance and integration not self loathing and suppression of your inate sexual orientation. The “ex-gay” industry is a sad joke being played with people’s lives leading to destruction and self condemnation. I would run for the hills from any program like that - try the United Church of Christ where they don’t use Jesus to oppress human beings.
4 On May 25th, 2007, at 12:23pm, Bob Stith wrote:
Dan, I wonder if you apply the same standards to people who deal with heterosexual sex addiction, alcoholism, or any other struggle?
While I disagree with AA’s emphasis on saying “I am an alcoholic” even for people who have gone through recovery I understand the need to recognize you may always have a weakness in that area.
I am also curious about the “growth industry” statement. Virtually every ministry or individual involved in this “industry” is in a constant struggle to provide adequate compensation to those providing help.
5 On May 29th, 2007, at 7:11am, dan valdes wrote:
Dear Mr. Stith,
I don’t exactly understand the question can you elaborate?
dan
6 On May 29th, 2007, at 7:18am, Dan Valdes wrote:
Being an alcoholic is about behavior being gay is about who you are inside. They are so different that to even draw a comparison illustrates one’s basic lack of acumen to counsel people regarding the issue. There is no guilt and shame in being gay.
7 On May 29th, 2007, at 5:29pm, Rick Hudgins Jr. wrote:
Okay, Mr. Stith:
I find it highly ironic that you use alcoholism as a weakness with which people struggle when you address Dan’s points. This is particularly ironic because of the agreeement in the medical and health communities that there is indeed an established genetic link to alcoholism- this is especially interesting to me, since you seem to dismiss so readily the possibility of there existing a genetic link concerning same-sex attraction.
8 On May 30th, 2007, at 9:40pm, Carlos wrote:
Thanks for publishing Dan and Rick’s viewpoint that is critical. An open dialogue here will indeed show the world that the SBC is interested in facts.
Mr. Stith’s ministry is good news in the narrow sense of recognizing the existence of gay Southern Baptists, but in another wider sense, it is indeed very troubling news as it cuts deep into the heart of gays who desire to be true to themselves while also trying to be true to their spiritual side.
I suggest the SBC first set up a ministry of compassion and listening before being so quick to tell gays they cannot be who they are.
9 On May 31st, 2007, at 3:20pm, dan valdes wrote:
“If your child asks “What does being gay mean?” answer: “Being gay means that two people of the same sex have chosen to love each other in the way that God planned for a man and woman to love each other.”
I can see by the linked texts that you have selected to be the foundation of your “ministry to homosexuals” that it’s just more beating up gay people with “love”. This statement alone says that you don’t have a real grasp of homosexuality at all. You might do well to spend some time getting to know gay people who are integrated and not compartmentalized. I feel for any gay person who might end up under your pastoral care.
dan valdes
10 On May 31st, 2007, at 4:01pm, Carlos Stouffer wrote:
I agree Dan, but I am hopeful pastor Bob will have a second conversion in the middle of his ministry to gays.
I was encouraged to discover that Rev. Stith has had extensive interaction with pro-gay Christian activists.
So my suggestion for Rev. Stith’s ministry is to find out more what the pro-gay Baptist and Christian churches are doing. This would be valuable information. Don’t just assume Exodus or other ex-gay ministries have all the answers.
Thanks again for keeping this forum open and I look forward to a response.
11 On Jun 7th, 2007, at 3:43pm, Margaret Taylor wrote:
Thank you for making this an open forum. I enjoy reading what my Christian brothers (and sisters) have to say. I’m not skilled at debate so I normally don’t post on these forums, but I would like to say I am one who has turned from homosexuality but I was not coerced in any way.
I am a 44-year-old Christian, saved at age 6, but homosexual until 6 years ago. I was even refusing to attend church at the time I turned from it. I wanted only to know what God had to say about it, so I spent two years RV’ing across the US and building a new and genuine relationship with God. He was so gracious in that He never addressed my sin for 3 years. He was only about the task of building my trust in Him. Continued…
12 On Jun 7th, 2007, at 3:51pm, Margaret Taylor wrote:
...continued: Once I began to genuinely trust Him in the good and bad, he began to speak softly and gently to my heart about my sin. It took me another 8 months to repent. I’ve now genuinely turned from it, but not because a human suggested it (I received many years of prodding, guilt, and rejection from humans - all to no avail). I repented because the God I love more than anything requested it of me.
Now, I am in the beginnings of a ministry at my church to reach out to homosexuals who desire change. No human can change anyone - only Jesus can, and only if that child desires change. He used a soft approach with me because He knows well how stubborn and untrusting I am, but it may be different for others. Continued…
13 On Jun 7th, 2007, at 3:57pm, Margaret Taylor wrote:
...continued. I wish I could explain in greater detail how amazing our Jesus is when we allow Him to work on us.
But I will say this: though I believe very assuredly that homosexuality is sin, I know just as assuredly that our awesome God will never turn away anyone who desires a relationship with Him - sin or no sin. He loves the greatest of sinners.
I urge those of you who have the courage, to put homosexuality to the God litmus test. Don’t ask what people say about it - ask what God says. Then, wait on His answer, even if it takes 3 years.
Bob, don’t give up. You’re on the right track. I praise God for people out there like you.
14 On Jun 9th, 2007, at 6:16am, dan valdes wrote:
Margaret that sounds good for you but I would beg to ask you that if others had a similar journey and in earnest God didn’t change them, then what does that say about the person who did not change?
15 On Jun 12th, 2007, at 3:24pm, Margaret Taylor wrote:
Dan, for many years I honestly didn’t desire change even though I was a Christian. When I made the decision to live by the Spirit, a lot had to change in my life. As I mentioned before, much else was dealt with before God finally touched on my sexuality. And still there is so much other work to be done in my life that has nothing to do with my sexuality. To answer your question, I would say this: even if change (and that word has very broad and varying implications, of course) doesn’t come, praise God that He allowed you a closer walk with Him. We always come away changed in some way when we walk in fellowship with God and being open to change in any area is primarily what He asks of us. It is the relationship with us He desires most (I’m still blown away by that), so keep your spirit open to whatever God would do with you and enjoy His company immensely!
16 On Jun 15th, 2007, at 2:35pm, Jarrot Garza wrote:
I would graciously like to respond to Dan Valdes’ question to Margaret too. I am only 21, and have only been saved for almost three years this summer, though I have been attending a church since my birth. Around age 14/15 I started seeking/desiring closer and intimate relationships. I found several actually in the next 4 years. Being in church most of my life I knew these feelings and relationships weren’t the norm. I tried earnestly to change. I prayed and cried on several occasion’s asking God to let me change these feelings and leave this way of life but they came with no avail. As time pasted with no change, I deferred my efforts. One summer night filled with heartache, fear, and a two hour discussion with a friend about Jesus. Left me knowing that Jesus couldn’t know me, because I had found out in those two hours I didn’t know Him. Thats when Christ came into my life and started making a change in me.
17 On Jun 16th, 2007, at 2:22pm, Rick Hudgins Jr. wrote:
That is a very moving testimony, Jarrot. I think that it is rather sad, though, to reach a point at which one believes Jesus couldn’t know him/her. It seems defeatist and calls into question the powers and abilities of Christ. I would contend that your feelings (same-sex attractions), while not necessarily the “norm” across society at the macro level, are just as normal to you as the feelings of heterosexual attraction are to “greater society.” Additionally, “knowing Jesus” is a life-long process; it’s not an end in itself. Desiring a relationship with Him (or any deity figure) that is based on fear cheapens the love and grace of God almighty.
18 On Jun 18th, 2007, at 4:41pm, Jarrot wrote:
Thanks Rick for you comment I greatly appreciate your view! I do agree with you it is rather sad when you reach that point. But God does say He will tell people, “I never knew you"(Matt 7:23 NASB), so I don’t question it to be defeatist or wrong to say He couldn’t know me. And by know me I mean know me as His child. And your right knowing Christ to its fullness won’t be completed in my life span. But I do see from Matt 7, we can seem to be very close to Him. Close enough to even cast out demons, but still never truly know Him.
19 On Sep 25th, 2008, at 9:43pm, Rick wrote:
Shocked, yes, I am that this discussion lingers on and on. First, of all gay guys or homosexuals are not after to ravage your children. It is the pedophiles, who are soccor coaches, the guy he helps cut grass with in summer. Again, the people you know and keep your eyes on them.
Again, after I was a victim of incest for over 8 years and yes U did think I was gay, normal as day is long. If thats all you know, how else do u do diffeent. Not forgetting that good ol gand pa served 14 years on RA’s
and eight on me.
I hear so much guilt in these stories, they may not be happy, but letting go always helps.
Jay