I was saddened and surprised to hear that Exodus International is closing down. For over a decade, I’ve benefited from their conferences, teachers, and insight. I’ve also referred many people with unwanted same-sex attractions to them. Since Exodus boasted the largest network of agencies providing therapy, they were one of my first go-to organizations when I needed to connect people to a trustworthy ministry.
During the last year, however, I’ve been hesitant to recommend Exodus to others. I read Exodus blogs and heard their staff say things that I wasn’t comfortable with, theologically. I noticed that people who I respected were leaving or distancing themselves from the organization. The closer I paid attention to what was going on, the more I sensed things were amiss.
I’m not privy to all the details surrounding Exodus and its leadership. I’m not writing to point out their mistakes. I’m more interested in looking to the future with Restored Hope Network (RHN). This is an organization that sprung up last year that I believe will serve to meet similar needs that Exodus once did. In fact, several of the board and staff that left Exodus years ago started RHN. They all seem to be theologically sound.
Their mission statement reads: “Restored Hope is a membership governed network dedicated to restoring hope to those broken by sexual and relational sin, especially those impacted by homosexuality. We proclaim that Jesus Christ has life-changing power for all who submit to Christ as Lord; we also seek to equip His church to impart that transformation.”
Be sure to also read their press release responding to the closure of Exodus.
-- After reading the above, I read Christianity Today's original coverage and a collection of brief comments from evangelical leaders. One commenter referred to a particularly thoughtful response by Christopher Yuan, author of Our of a Far Country: A Gay Son's Journey to God. A Broken Mother's Search for Hope. Yuan's is by far the most substantial and valuable response I have read so far. Click here - https://www.facebook.com/notes/christopher-yuan/my-response-to-the-closing-%20of-exodus-international-full/557204404323303
- - Update: 6/23/13 - Agate UK and Springhead Ministries offer insight into the fact that "under the leadership of its President, Alan Chambers, Exodus International had abandoned the message of hope, wholeness and holiness that had been there since it was founded in the 1970s." Further,
"Over the past few years Alan Chambers, with the support of the Exodus International vice-president Randy Clark and the chairman of trustees Clark Whitten, has been proclaiming a message at odds not only with the founding principles of Exodus International but also of its member ministries. While much of this was done out of the public eye a number of statements made by Chambers in the US media as well at a pro-gay conference and in Exodus International's newsletters brought things to a head. After spending time in prayer many leaders of Exodus International member ministries left Exodus International and started Restored Hope Network, leaders that included past presidents, staff workers and founders of Exodus International. [more . . .]