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Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are the resources on this website only for people leading church ministries?
No. Any individual can utilize these resources to experience personal growth and to gain deeper understanding. Once a person finishes watching the small group and leadership DVD series, however, it will be difficult for that person not to want to influence churches toward positive change.
2. Why a ministry for churches and homosexuality?
Christian churches around the country have established ministries to meet nearly every kind of need, ranging from recovery from divorce to success in singleness, to financial management. It is time that we address this area of need as well. Jesus never avoided controversial people or topics; nor should we. By refusing to address this topic, our young people and whole congregations are being shaped by the values and perspectives of the world rather than by God’s Word.
3. How can a ministry like this benefit my congregation?
Congregations that adopt the ministry values and vision described in the book Turning Controversy into Church Ministry and in the resources offered on this website can experience increased spiritual health and resultant spiritual and numerical growth over time.
4. What do you mean by the “spiritual health” of my congregation?
We believe that a healthy church can be recognized by marks such as biblical preaching, dynamic prayer, loving community, the spiritual growth of its members, and relevant outreach to the world. When we speak of “church health,” we are referring not only to values behind the “church health movement,” but also to the outreach focus promoted by the “missional church” concept. Read more »
5. Won’t ministry around this concern divide our churches?
Most churches are already internally divided or conflicted about issues of sexuality because we haven’t addressed these topics in a Christlike manner. Unity in our churches comes through clear communication around the teachings of Christ based on a clear, biblical vision. If we remain silent about the sexual brokenness that has permeated our culture and churches, soon ignorance, fear, and confusion will dominate us and we will be ineffective in ministry toward those who need our support and help.
6. Do you believe a homosexual can change?
To answer this question, we must define the word “change.” Every Christian is in the process of being changed more into the image of Jesus Christ. Our sexuality is deeply intermeshed with our identities through prenatal factors and life-long experiences. Changes that occur for each of us on these deeper levels, then, may occur gradually with personal and character development. Thus it is important that when we speak about change we aim first toward faith in God, salvation, and godly living. We must trust God’s timing regarding changes in our desires, and obey him even when our desires are out of sync with his declared purposes for our lives. Faith, love, and obedience are the engines of the Christian faith; emotions and attractions are the caboose.
7. Can this ministry be established in any church?
Yes. Any church can improve its overall ministry and sense of community by utilizing the book, small group study, leadership training packet, and additional resources offered on this website. The approach to establishing this ministry differs from church to church, however, depending on a congregation’s size, history, and ethos. The leadership resources and implementation guide offered by Church Reflections are designed to help a congregation build ministry appropriate to its context.
8. How does this ministry work?
The ministry in your congregation will go as far as you and your leaders decide to take it. Congregations find the most benefit by:
- Training their leadership. At a minimum, a church leadership team should experience the five one-hour session leadership training series, followed by a work session or retreat in which they utilize the implementation guide to launch a custom-designed ministry for your congregation. If they first journey through the five one-hour small group DVD study, however, they will be even more equipped to lead their congregation.
- Congregation-wide involvement. All interested members can join in a church-wide emphasis incorporating small groups coupled with an appropriate sermon series.
- Ministry Development. Ministries can then be developed in your church, under the guidance of its leadership, in each of the below ministry spheres pictured below:
For more information, see the Launch page of this website, and, Your Next Steps.
9. Where do I find the specialized resources described in the book, Turning Controversy in to Church Ministry?
You will find such resources under the Launch section. Click on the specific ministry area of interest.
10. Are there other resources that you recommend related to this ministry area?
Yes. Please see our Additional Resources page.
11. How much do the materials cost, and do you offer any discounts for smaller congregations or for volume purchases?
Please see the Purchase page for current pricing. Our goal is to make these materials affordable for every congregation, and discounts may be available based on need and current ministry resources. If you would like to apply for a discounted price, please click the Financial Assistance link here, or on the Purchase page, and follow the guidelines provided.
12. Can my church make a donation to the ministry to provide Financial Assistance for smaller congregations?
Yes, donations are needed and are greatly appreciated. Under the Donate page, you can indicate that you wish your donation to be placed in the Financial Assistance fund. Our vision is for larger congregations to consider making gifts to enable smaller churches to do church-wide campaigns.
13. Where do the profits from this ministry go?
Any profits received from the sale of ministry resources as well as author profits from the book are all folded back Church Reflections to help this work touch as many congregations as possible.
14. How can I or my church help this ministry to grow and succeed?
Pray for us. As you benefit from the ministry, please tell others. If you have suggestions, then please Contact us.
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