Church conference to reach out to gays

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Church conference to reach out to gays

By Matt Barnwell, The Telegraph (Macon, Georgia), September 28, 2006

A Macon church is holding a conference and outreach program Saturday that aims to figure out why some people are gay and whether they can be reoriented.

Christ Chapel at SportsTowne also will explore the church's role in reaching out to homosexuals, an area of service that Associate Pastor Beth White said has gone untapped because churches either ignore or are intimidated by the subject.

For people confused about their sexual identity, "we can provide a stable, open, accepting environment," she said. "Our goal is not at all to condemn or demean anyone."

The all-day "Philadelphia Conference: Loving Homosexuals as Jesus Would," begins at 8 a.m. and includes a dozen lectures and discussion sessions. Among the topics: Understanding male and female homosexuality, and a workshop that asks, "Can I really change?" The conference will also provide personal testimonies and guidance on starting outreach efforts in other congregations.

It targets three distinct audiences: those struggling to determine their sexual orientation, their friends and family, and other church groups, White said. The topic is approached from the point of view that homosexuality, like any other sin, can be resolved by pointing people toward Jesus Christ, White said. There would not be opposing viewpoints offered.

"Obviously, people who are not struggling in their homosexuality or their identity are not our target audience," White said.

Rather, it is those who may be confused that will benefit from the conference, she said. As a Christianity-based family therapist, White said she has encountered people who chose a homosexual lifestyle simply to find acceptance.

"For some people, they are looking for love - unconditional love - anywhere they can find it," she said.

Christ Chapel, which is housed in the former indoor sports complex, attracts about 900 people to Sunday services, White said. The 12-year-old Assembly of God congregation merged with a Baptist congregation about five years ago.

"It is time the church got its head out of the sand and began dealing with real life issues," Andy King, executive pastor of Christ Chapel, said in a statement. "Statistics show us that at least one in every 20 people struggle with same-sex attractions. ... For us to pretend that these issues are not in our church is ridiculous."

Rene Sanchez, co-president of the Macon chapter of the national organization Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, commended the church for opening a dialogue on the issue. But he called it "pretty much a lost cause" - akin to praying to change a person's race or height.

"Even though these people are well meaning ... they're not really doing something that's real," said Sanchez, who joined the chapter because one of his sons is gay. "This can go from being a useless effort to being a dangerous one."

The danger arises, he said, in the potential psychological damage that can be caused by trying to convince someone they've changed something that Sanchez said can't be changed. Being gay is not their choice, he said, "they just are."

Between 100 and 200 people are expected for the event, White said. While she billed it as the first of its type in Middle Georgia, the conference has been somewhat difficult to publicize beyond fliers and word of mouth, she said. At least one advertising venue, which she did not name, would not take the church's money because the topic was deemed controversial, she said.

Two of the speakers featured at the event, Mike Haley and Melissa Fryrear, are employed by Focus on the Family, an international conservative Christian organization based in Colorado. Both Haley and Fryrear have lived as homosexuals but they now travel the country speaking about their decision to turn away from that orientation.

They will be joined by gospel singer Kirk Talley, who, according to the conference Web site, had "secret struggles with same-sex attractions" that were aired in public when a fan tried to blackmail him with the knowledge. Talley will discuss how he turned to faith to dig himself out of the depression that followed.

The cost of the conference is $15 for students, $25 for individuals and $35 for families. Minors must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets may be bought at the church or online at www.lovemattersmost.com.

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