Christians Must Learn New Language to Reach Homosexuals, Expert Says
by Allie Martin and Jenni Parker
June 25, 2004
(AgapePress) - A former homosexual says Christians need to do a better job when it comes to ministering to those who want to leave the homosexual lifestyle.
Mike Haley manages the Homosexuality and Gender Department for Focus on the Family. For 12 years he was involved in the homosexual subculture but says eventually he was delivered from that lifestyle through God's grace and Christian counseling.
Today the gender and sexuality issues expert is married and has two sons. He also serves as Chairman of the Board of Exodus International, a prominent worldwide, interdenominational ministry to people affected by homosexuality.
At last week's annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention in Indianapolis, Haley told the conference audience that most Christians do not know how to reach out to homosexuals. He noted that the Church spends $20 billion a year on international missions and the training of missionaries, who are taught the language and cultural nuances of foreign cultures so that they will be able to draw people to Christ without offending them.
"But I challenge you," the speaker said, "How much money, effort, and income has been spent to reach the unreached people group known as the gay and lesbian community?"
Haley contends that many Christians use language homosexuals find difficult to understand. For example he quotes the common expression, "Love the sinner and hate the sin." He says in the minds of many homosexual men and lesbian women whose identity is very much wrapped up in their lifestyle -- as his once was -- a phrase like "love the sinner, hate the sin" simply does not make sense.
"We all understand that from a pew perspective," the former homosexual explains, "but let me tell you what you're saying to the person that is receiving that: They were saying to me ultimately, 'Mike, I love you, but I don't love what you're doing.' But see, the problem was, I was defined by what I was doing. So to hate what I was doing was to hate me."
Haley feels Bible-believing Christians often have the best intentions in the world but simply are not making themselves understood to people trapped in the homosexual lifestyle. For that reason, he says Christians, "need to learn a language that will draw these people to Christ and help to minister to those who so desperately need our Savior."
The ministry known since 1976 as Exodus International has grown to become the world's largest Christian referral and information ministry dealing with homosexual issues, and the organization has recently announced a name change. According to the ministry, its new title, Exodus Global Alliance, reflects the commitment that the coalition of Exodus ministries around the world have to work together to proclaim the message of hope and healing that Christ brings to a world that is increasingly struggling with homosexuality.
