Turning Controversy into Church Ministry: A Christlike Response to Homosexuality

by William P. Campbell

Overview

One of the most volatile issues facing the Western Church is also one of the least discussed: homosexuality. Many pastors, church members, and congregations have become tired of the debate surrounding this topic but do not really understand the issues. Pulling away from this controversy doesn’t seem to help; it keeps cropping up.Ninety percent of pastors are aware of members or visitors to their churches who struggle with homosexual tendencies, and the same percentage of churchgoers know a relative or friend who wrestles with this concern. The media, school systems, and nearly every sector of society will challenge Christians to give a reasoned response to the escalating gay agenda. For twenty-five years W. P. Campbell has studied and debated this topic as it relates to Christ’s Church. He has come to the conclusion that it will not go away in our generation, but it can be coaxed to find its proper place in any congregation when it is tackled with a firm but loving grip. Homosexuality in the Church is a guidebook to help Christians and whole congregations do just that. It faces the heart of the controversy with the love and compassion of Christ and turns it into effective ministry.Framed by the most significant biblical passages related to homosexuality and supported by science, psychology and sociology, each of the five parts of the book unfold a unique aspect of God’s person and purpose. As our Creator, he has made us to be whole; as our King he has provided laws and guidelines to help us remain that way; as our Redeemer, his power can save us from sin; as our Guide, his light will guide us out; as our Strength, he will make our ministry effective.As a resource for the church today, this book will: • Provide readers with a comprehensive overview of the biblical data about homosexuality • Inform readers about current scientific, psychological, and cultural findings related to same-sex practice • Teach readers Christ-like responses to gay rights activists in the Church and help them to know how to avoid extreme stances about homosexuals and the Church that result in alienating others or in supporting sexual sin • Offer guidelines and tools to church leaders for mobilizing a congregation to study this topic and to engage in ministry to recovering homosexuals

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780310321354
Publisher:	Zondervan
Publication date:	09/21/2010
Sold by:	HarperCollins Publishing
Format:	eBook
Pages:	240
File size:	2 MB
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

W. P. Campbell (DMin from Fuller Theological Seminary) is senior pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Hendersonville, North Carolina. He has been researching, debating, and writing about the issue of homosexuality and the church for more than twenty years and is deeply concerned about the damage inflicted on individuals, congregations, and whole denominations over this debate. In addition, he has written extensively for Connections (www.scripture-connections.org) and serves as a resource specialist on the advisory board of OneByOne, a ministry that equips churches to bring truth and grace to those who struggle with same-sex attraction. Bill and his wife, Lin, live in western North Carolina and have three children.

Table of Contents

Preface 7

Acknowledgments 9

Introduction: Putting Christ Back into "Christian" 11

Part 1 Analysis: Your Church, Christ's Body

1 The Feet: Where Your Church Stands 21

2 The Heart: How Your Church Cares 37

3 The Head: Who Your Church Follows 47

Part 2 Approach: Overcoming Controversy

Creation and Science: Did God Create Homosexuality?

4 The Landscape: The Grand Sweep of the Bible 65

5 The Source: The Genetics Question 80

Standards and Psychology: Which Norms Are Still Relevant?

6 The Law: Separating Temporal from Eternal 93

7 The Wisdom: Insights from Psychology 105

Compassion and the Church: Does God Really Care?

8 The Grace: Sodom Revisited 122

9 The Potential: Life-Changing Power 137

Part 3 Action: Building Ministry

10 Blueprint: Six Ministry Spheres 151

Foundation: What Every Church Needs

11 Motivation: Prayer 160

12 Vision: Leadership 167

13 Healing: Family Values 179

Structure: Your Unique Ministry

14 Growth: Mentors and Counselors 187

15 Support: Small Group Ministry 196

16 Celebration: Outreach 207

Conclusion: The Big Picture 215

Questions for Personal or Group Reflection 219

Additional Ministry Resources 224

Notes 227