Take the Plunge

A simple way to make a difference

For those of you new to this blog, I’m sure you know it is not about surfing. Instead, it is about being the healing hands of Jesus for those caught up in the Sexual Tsunami of the last eight years. The pornographic filth unleashed by the internet has left a generation of youth and young adults addicted and confused. The isolation of Covid only added to its devastating effect.

The Church must be equipped.

An instantly iconic photo by Jerome Brouillet of Brazillian Olympic surfer Gabriel Medina.

Perhaps you’ve read this blog for many months, but have yet to step out of your comfort zone. You may have been drawn to this content because you are torn between church teaching and the LGBT kids you love. But what can one person actually do?

Here’s a suggestion: Start a book study!

One person recently did just that. She advertised in her church bulletin and on their website for one month that she would be leading a study of my book Into the Light: Healing Sexuality in Today’s Church. Last week, six people curiously stepped into her living room.

This person is not a member of the 82^nd Airborne Division, ready at a moment’s notice to parachute into combat. Nope. This felt like an enormous leap of faith. Out of obedience, however, she took the plunge. If only more had her courage!

When someone’s son or granddaughter announces to the family that they are gay, bisexual, or nonbinary, suddenly an “issue” has a face. The very ones they love and cherish are claiming that their feelings are very real, that they absolutely know they were born that way, and there is no way of ever changing. Several options present themselves.

They can begin to question what the Church has taught for 2000 years. Perhaps all the clear teachings of scripture are not so black and white. Perhaps the Bible was written at a time when they didn’t know what we know today. Perhaps . . .  

Out of compassion for those they love, many have gone this route.

Another option? Hold on to the teachings of scripture, but resent the Church for rejecting their kids. Not many in this category find the courage to do anything about it.

The best path forward is to simply get God’s people talking openly about all sexual issues. There are plenty of porn-addicted parishioners and survivors of sexual abuse, but God’s people are doing so very little to address these issues.

Chapter One of my book is titled “The Elephant and the Scapegoat.” The fact is that we have been taking aim at sexual minorities, making them the scapegoat, while ignoring the elephant in the room. What is that massive, gray, smelly beast? The church’s paralysis in dealing with the Sexual Revolution and reluctance to simply talk about sexual matters. We need to press forward and get God’s people talking in healthy ways.

Spaced throughout the book is an easy-to-understand theology of sexuality. This is so critical. We can’t continue to dismissively cite scripture verses without understanding the theological underpinnings.

And do not fear! There is a free Leader’s Guide along with video resources (both DVD and online).

When I have taught at a church or men’s retreat on sexual issues, so often I’ve heard the comment, “Thank God! We are finally talking about sex in church!” Likely you fear conflict or complaints, but my experience tells me you will be very surprised by the results. So step out of your comfort zone, approach your church leadership, and prayerfully invite people to the study.

As a side note, the pic of Gabriel Medina is a message to the world. Evangelical athletes from Brazil often point to the sky as a way of giving glory to God. Brazilians know this. Sometimes that is lost on Americans. After all, when a big league slugger hits a homer, they always point to the sky.  For some, it is acknowledging God, but for many, they are remembering loved ones in heaven, as in, “That was for you, Gramma!”

But to leave no doubt about it, Medina posted the amazing pic on social media and put Philippians 4:13 underneath it: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Perhaps you should take that verse with you as you pick up your own surfboard, and begin to share with your church about God’s good design for our sexuality. Make it your mission. Take the plunge. You can do all things through Christ . . . !