SCARBOROUGH, ON-Focus on the Family (FOTF) drew a crowd for its first Canadian conference on ministering to the gay and lesbian community-more than 900 people showed up at Churchill Heights Baptist Church for "Love Won Out," a conference discussing Christian approaches to homosexuality.
Clear challenge
"Clearly people have felt the challenge of homosexuality in their families, churches, workplaces and society
at large," says Darrel Reid, president of FOTF Canada. "They have a real desire for information, understanding and perspective in addressing this timely issue."
The one-day Love Won Out conferences have been held in 18 American cities during the last six years, and are aimed at "addressing, understanding and preventing homosexuality."
Topics include ministering to a loved one dealing with homosexuality, responding to misinformation about homosexuality, defending biblical beliefs and preventing children from following a homosexual lifestyle. Ex-members of the homosexual community give their testimonies.
The content proves to be provocative as it includes the biblically-based teaching that homosexuality is a sin.
At the Toronto event, 30 young pro-gay activists gathered on the front lawn of Churchill Heights Baptist Church, waving placards with messages like "God loves me."
Their presence didn’t faze those at the conference.
"I know of some bisexual and homosexual people in my high school," says Michelle Roberts. "I came because I wanted to become stronger in what I believe and to know how to respond to people."
Redemptive response
"The church has been characterized as having been awakened in light of gay marriage and Bill C-250. We have been working diligently for more than 18 years to have a redemptive response to those who struggle," says Wendy Gritter, director of New Direction for Life Ministries, which offers counselling and support groups for people struggling with their sexuality as well as groups for those working through feelings about family members’ lifestyles.
In Toronto, 50 people struggling with their sexuality attended New Direction small groups last year; around 20 are presently involved. "This conference really is an exciting day for us, to see the sold-out gathering of people interested in hearing how we can respond," says Gritter.
Barriers persist
Gritter says some churches have difficulty knowing how to respond to gays and lesbians on a personal level. While some churches excel at it, she says there are others in which "shame is still a huge barrier," preventing people from disclosing their struggle.
People involved in homosexual lifestyles "desire to be loved and accepted," says Gritter. They have "legitimate, God-given needs. The church needs to understand that we need to step into those gaps in people’s lives and help them fulfill those legitimate needs in a healthy way."
In his presentation "Reaching the homosexual," Mike Haley of FOTF (U.S) shared tips on how to appropriately engage arguments or confront individuals. He says Christians should speak out on issues like same-sex marriage or teaching young children about sexual options, while still extending a hand of welcome to anyone wanting to come into the church.
"It is better to say nothing than to give [the gay and lesbian community] something non-substantial or vague," Haley said. "Love the sin and hate the sinner is a poor thing to say because being gay is an identity. Love people equally."
Haley says Christians need to relate to the gay and lesbian community based on "people’s humanity," as opposed to worrying about the message being sent about what one endorses.
Focus on the Family plans to hold a second Love Won Out conference in Vancouver next spring.
