The Challenge and the Calling of Evangelicalism for LGBT in a Post-Exodus World

Over at First Things, Wesley Hill reflects on the shutting down of “ex-gay” ministry Exodus International:

It doesn’t seem, at least at this stage, that Alan Chambers’ new, replacement organization for Exodus, which he described to Jeff Chu over at The Atlantic’s Sexes channel, will be much involved in the effort to help gay Christians recover the resources they need from the Christian tradition for healthy practices of celibacy and friendship. That’s not necessarily to say Chambers’ work won’t be worthwhile. But what we still need, and what I most want to be involved in myself, is pastoral ministry to those who say, “I experience ongoing, nearly exclusive same-sex attraction, I don’t expect ‘conversion’ to heterosexuality, I don’t expect to be married, but I want to live within the boundaries of the traditional Christian teaching on marriage and sexuality, and I want to flourish, not just survive. And I need help to do that.” There are a lot of us in that boat. We do need help. And there’s now a gap to be filled with—what, exactly? an organization? a regular conference? ministry houses? intentional communities? parish small groups? something more, at least, than what Exodus often was—to help meet that need.

Read the whole thing.