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Exodus International closes up shop, leader apologizes to LGBT community

by Al Stefanelli on June 20, 2013.
Breaking, LGBT
Tags: Alan Chamber, Board of directors, BuzzFeed, Chambers,Exodus International, John Paulk, LGBT, Oprah Winfrey Network

From The God Discussion 20 June 2013 -

Exodus International closes up shop, leader apologises to LGBT community. Anyone active in the LGBT community on both sides of the issue has at least heard of ‘Exodus International.’

For the past thirty years, it has been exercising a concerted effort at discriminating against the LGBT community on several fronts, the most damaging being its ‘reparative therapy’ efforts to ‘cure homosexuality’ through various nefarious and scientifically debunked methods.

Over the previous three decades, several high-profile stories have been reported that have brought dire consequences to the LGBT community, as well as the friends and family of those who have been affected by the efforts of what was, at one point, the worst of the worst in anti-gay Christian ministries.

That has all apparently come to an end, as Alan Chambers, the head of Exodus International, has not only issued what appears to be a sincere, genuine apology to the LGBT community, but the whole operation is being shuttered.

The God Discussion’s Dakota O’Leary ran a story on 29 April 2013 about former Exodus International Chairman John Paulk, who was infamous for his positions on reparative therapy. In that story, Paulk formally recanted his position and apologised through a letter distributed to numerous gay publications.

Despite this, the news of Chambers' apology and the closing of Exodus International can aptly be described as one of those ‘didn’t see that coming‘ moments.

According to a story in BuzzFeed, Chambers wrote a letter that stated, in part,

“Exodus is an institution in the conservative Christian world, but we’ve ceased to be a living, breathing organism,” said Alan Chambers, President of Exodus. “For quite some time, we’ve been imprisoned in a worldview that’s neither honouring toward our fellow human beings, nor biblical.”

“I am sorry for the pain and hurt many of you have experienced.”

The Board of Directors held a meeting on 19 June 2013, during which they agreed that the best course was to go beyond the apology issued by Chambers and voted to cease operations.

An official statement read, in part,

“Exodus International, the oldest and largest Christian ministry dealing with faith and homosexuality, announced tonight that it’s closing its doors after three-plus decades of ministry.

“This is a new season of ministry, to a new generation,” said Chambers. “Our goals are to reduce fear (reducefear.org) and come alongside churches to become safe, welcoming, and mutually transforming communities.”

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