Transforming Congregations says "Compassion without Compromise"

It was a different kind of protest. Transforming Congregations supporters took to the streets during General Conference in support of same-sex strugglers who want freedom from homosexuality. Delegates had become accustomed to the rainbow stole-wearing, pro-gay supporters waving their "Stop Spiritual Violence" signs.

Transforming Congregations demonstrators, on the other hand, held banners proclaiming "Love Transforms," "Support Freedom to Change," and "Let Freedom Ring." They were there to advocate for former homosexuals whose voices are being silenced and for men and women with unwanted homosexual desires whose needs for ministry are being ignored.

"Pro-gay activists within our denomination and in the culture are attempting to paint us as mean-spirited and hateful," said the Rev. Karen Booth, executive director of Transforming Congregations. "Nothing could be further from the truth. We are not out here to force anyone to change. We simply want people to know that change in sexual behavior and orientation is possible."

Supporters distributed results of the Dr. Robert Spitzer study and other scientific evidence that counters the belief that homosexuality is genetically determined and unchangeable. "So much of the pro-gay political argument is based on cultural myth and scientific misinformation," said Booth. "I ought to know. Ten years ago, I was solidly on the pro-gay side. A large part of my own philosophical transformation involved looking critically at what science actually says about homosexuality. It's not what the media reports."

Although the Book of Discipline states, "We also commit ourselves to social witness against the coercion and marginalization of former homosexuals" (Para. 162H), United Methodism has failed to develop any kind of resources to help people overcome unwanted homosexual desires. All attempts at General Conference to mandate such resources have failed.

That saddens Bonnie Doebley. An active laywoman from Millville, New Jersey, she is also the director of "Out of the Depths," an Exodus International member ministry for women who struggle with lesbianism. A former lesbian herself, Bonnie participated in Dr. Robert Spitzer's recently published study of the effectiveness of reparative therapy. In the study, Spitzer discovered that highly motivated men and women can change not only same-sex behaviors, but many times they can also change sexual orientation as well.

Another member of the Transforming Congregations team in Pittsburgh was Joseph Cluse. He lived for 25 years as "JoAnna" after undergoing sex-reassignment surgery in Trinidad, Colorado. After coming to faith in Christ, he realized that he has always been a man in God's eyes and he has taken steps to reverse the mutilation that was done to him. He had special interest in the legislation that proposed a four-year denominational study of transgenderism. Not invited to testify in the legislative committee, he nevertheless testifies to the "truth of the Gospel-you can be made free. I stand today as a testament to the power of Almighty God."

John and Pat Beadle of Jewett, Ohio, learned of their son's homosexuality thirteen years ago. Their response was to love him unconditionally while standing firm on their Biblical convictions-in other words, "compassion without compromise." Pat supported legislation in the East Ohio Annual Conference that would have encouraged the denomination to develop transformational ministries. When this local attempt failed, their son was appalled that Christians would not offer help to those who want out of homosexual practice.

-Good News Editorial Team

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