Earlier this week, Alive in Christ (the ministry I direct), Park Street Church (the church that hosts the ministry) and Exodus International (the organization of which Alive in Christ is a member) hosted a Boston training event for pastors, ministry leaders, seminary students, educators, and counselors on how to respond to the issue of homosexuality with biblical truth and compassion.
We knew there was a protest scheduled during the day, with well-known speakers and gay activists attending, such as Wayne Besen and Arlene Isaacson. We had several protesters come to the meeting and stand up in the middle of speaking sessions to "demonstrate"; I'll spare you the details :)
One side of the room we were meeting in is completely covered in windows. Outside the windows is a historic cemetery that tourists walk through. A group of probably 20-30 protesters came up to the windows to scream loudly at us through a bullhorn and try and take pictures of the attendees. They shouted some mantras, such as "Exodus, Exodus, Quack, Quack, Quack! You can't change gays; that's a fact!" and "Ex-gay, no way! Don't believe a word they say!" It's fairly clear from those two statements that they really have no idea what we were talking about in the training or the even the mission of Exodus. That is even more clear if you watch some of the footage of the continued protest and the words of the speakers.
As I was thinking about the anti-Exodus protesters leading up to the conference, I realized they are sort of missing the point. The problem in their minds is Exodus; if they could shut Exodus down somehow, the problem is solved. But Exodus didn't form for the sake of Exodus; Exodus was created because people all over the United States were seeking out this type of ministry. People were not satisfied with the label of "born gay" that was slapped on them.
The protesters need to realize that shutting down Exodus will not change the need - the need in people's heart for a different answer, for a different life. They may not experience that need, but that will not change the fact that thousands of others, like myself, desired to be obedient to what we saw in God's Word and what we felt He was calling us to do. And when we were willing to surrender that area of our lives to God, when we were willing to do whatever it would take to walk in obedience to Him, what He gave us in return was far better than anything we could ever have imagined.
About Me
- Brenna Kate Simonds, Living Unveiled
- I'm a wife, a mom, a singer/songwriter, an author, a public speaker, an abolitionist, an encourager & freedom coach, a seminary student, a worship leader, a lover of life and joy, and most importantly, a follower of Jesus Christ.
I'm sorry you had to deal with the protesters at all. I have friends and family who are gay and I understand that it's their choice for their life. Not one that I personally agree with, but that's my choice. Nevertheless, I try not to judge them; I love them because they are my friends and family and won't keep them out of my life because of it. Born that way? Who am I to say? If they want people to let them live their choice to be gay, why can't they show the same respect to people in Exodus who make the choice to no longer life their lives that way? I hope and pray that attitudes will change so that such protests won't be necessary.
ReplyDeleteVery good perspective Brenna Kate. It is very true. People do not have to accept a gay ideology or worldview to be content with their lives. We can also pursue loving relationships in a manner that is congruent with our faith.
ReplyDeleteHaving gone through similar situations in other venues it was tough to not be there with you in support but I know you all did just fine, persevered and handle it with grace.
Good job!
BK, your testimony is amazing. And timely. Some of the things that RG has me working on are the exact scriptures you used, and some of my shame statements? Yeah. Same.
ReplyDeleteThank you for being brave to share!