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1. What is your biblical stance on being gay and Christian?
The love and grace of God are available to all persons through Jesus Christ. Our Creator does not hold human distinctions, such as race, gender or sexual orientation, relevant to happiness in this life or salvation in the next.
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2. How can you justify your biblical stance?
In the Bible, there is no record that Jesus Christ condemned homosexuality. Instead, Jesus always showed concern for people no matter who they were. An example included the Samaritan woman at the well who was living with a man who wasn't her husband. Today, some Christians teach that we come to God "just as we are," yet most of them exclude homosexuals and other sexual minorities from church fellowship. We ask why. God does not hold sexual orientation as a factor in salvation. Evangelicals Concerned has many reasons for advocating this position. Read our page on Homosexuality and the Bible for detailed questions and answers about this subject.
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3. Are you a church?
Evangelicals Concerned is not a church, but a network of friends who encourage and affirm gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered (GLBT) Christians in their faith. The organization primarily supports evangelical Christians, though all are welcome to attend Evangelicals Concerned activities.
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4. Are you affiliated with a denomination?
Since Evangelicals Concerned is a non-denominational support ministry, our activities generally do not reflect any one religious tradition, but may take elements from several. All Evangelicals Concerned activities are intended to be safe for everyone, without regard to church affiliation.
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5. What is the purpose of Evangelicals Concerned?
Evangelicals Concerned responds to the needs of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered (GLBT) evangelical Christians primarily through nurturing fellowship. It is a ministry providing a safe place for gay and lesbian evangelical Christians to deal with issues of reconciling and integrating their spirituality and sexuality.
ECWR hosts conferences, local groups, and Bible studies, and provides education through newsletters and on-line resources. We foster an atmosphere for spiritual growth and provide a safe place and personal support for all who are on their journey of faith.
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6. What are your regular meetings like?
Evangelicals Concerned activities are intended to be safe for everyone. Our regular local meetings usually consist of Bible studies and topical discussions relating to Christian living, growth and maturing. These events usually take place in people's homes, although some meetings occur at churches, universities or other venues. Prayer requests are frequently taken. Dress is casual.
The number of people attending varies from small to large. Some groups precede the main meeting with singing and worship. Since Evangelicals Concerned is a non-denominational support ministry, worship generally does not reflect any one religious tradition, but may take elements from several.
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7. Do you have social events? What are they like?
Regular social activities: Our chapters typically sponsor potlucks, parties, hikes, athletic activities, dinners, retreats and other activities of various kinds to encourage beneficial Christian fellowship. An Evangelicals Concerned activity is intended to be a safe, fun place for everyone. The organization does not condone use of drugs, excessive drinking or sexual activity at its events.
Our Local Groups page is being updated and will be posted soon.
Annual conference: We also organize an international conference every summer in various locations around the United States, called ConnECtion. Activities for men and women at this conference include workshops, casual get togethers, worship, and touring. Additionally, a retreat for women is held just before ConnECtion. Personal support is available at the conference and the retreat for those requesting it. To read some personal observations about some of our events, read our Event Summaries.
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8. Do you have an Evangelicals Concerned group in my area?
We have groups meeting all over the United States and Canada. Our Local Groups page is being updated and will be posted soon.
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9. Can you refer me to a gay-affirming church in my area?
Your best way to find out this information is to consult your local gay telephone directory (printed and on the internet). Various Web sites list gay-affirming churches. Check out our Links (Coming Soon) page for more information.
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10. What do you mean by "evangelical?"
"Evangelicals" are usually in agreement with the traditional Christian gospel as presented in the Bible. Evangelicals emphasize salvation by faith in the atoning death of Jesus Christ, a personal relationship with the Savior, the authority of Scripture, and the importance of teaching as contrasted with ritual.
There are several branches of the evangelical Christian world:
Progressive. This movement emphasizes reading scripture by taking into account the history and culture, authorship, literary genre, and the meaning of the words as the original reader would have understood them. This movement strives to place each scripture into its context.
Fundamentalist. This branch emphasizes the literally interpreted Bible as fundamental to Christian life and teaching.
Charismatic or holiness. This usually fundamentalist movement emphasizes the gifts of the Holy Spirit given to individual Christians for the good of the church. Some charismatics additionally stress the importance of speaking in tongues (other languages).
Apocalyptic or adventist. This branch emphasizes that the second coming of Christ, the end of the world, the general resurrection and final judgment are near at hand.
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11. I've had bad experiences with evangelicals in the past. Why do you want to call yourselves "Evangelicals Concerned?"
Many gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered (GLBT) people identify with evangelical beliefs, even though they no longer accept the homophobic aspects. Evangelicals Concerned seeks to encourage and affirm GLBT evangelicals in their faith, regardless of denominational affiliation. No other non-denominational ministry does this.
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12. Are you affiliated with P-FLAG or other gay/lesbian groups? Do you support them?
Evangelicals Concerned is an independent ministry, and is not affiliated with other groups. We are not exclusive. ECWR encourages fellowship among gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered (GLBT) and non-gay Christians and is dedicated to ensuring that no GLBT Christian suffers because of who they are.
ECWR acknowledges, whenever possible, the ministry of individuals and organizations who share this vision. Likewise, ECWR respects the goals and missions of other ministries and does not seek such support from other organizations. ECWR does not actively promote other organizations by giving or selling its membership list to any other organization nor does ECWR allow other organizations to use ECWR events or publications to advertise or solicit membership.
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13. Are you political? What is your stand on gay rights, such as marriage rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people?
Evangelicals Concerned is an independent ministry whose primary mission is to support gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people in their faith. Our members support various positions (including no position) on social and political issues. Since political discussions can tend to divide people, however, the Evangelicals Concerned board of directors does not advocate any particular position in the political arena.
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14. Do you use inclusive language in your meetings and publications?
The Bible reveals that God is not limited by gender but is all encompassing. Following this example, activities of Evangelicals Concerned are intended to be safe places for everyone. Additionally, all ECWR written materials strive to be absent of biases with regard to gender, age, physical ability, sexual orientation, race or ethnicity. We encourage individual members to use inclusive language and be sensitive to their own biases and prejudices. ECWR has a statement on inclusive language.
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15. What does your organization teach? Do you have any set doctrines? Are members required to adhere to them?
Evangelicals Concerned does not have a fixed group of beliefs to which members and friends must adhere. ECWR fosters an atmosphere for spiritual growth and provides a safe place and personal support for all who are on their journey of faith.
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16. I've been involved in an ex-gay ministry, but I've not seen any change in my sexual desires. Do you have anyone I can talk to?
Several of our members once were part of ex-gay ministries. Read about some people in our group who were ex-gay.
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17. I want to study the scriptures with regard to homosexuality (or bisexuality or other sexual minority). Do you recommend any books or have a list of books I can read?
Our resource center has many books, articles, and recordings available on these subjects. For current ordering information, please email our office manager at
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.
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18. What books or other resources can I obtain from your resource center?
For current ordering information, please email our office manager at
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or check out the recommended books page.
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19. Do you have a newsletter?
Evangelicals Concerned publishes a free quarterly newsletter, called thECable, and an email newsletter, the EC Gram. You might want to subscribe or to look at back issues.
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20. Do you have a list of Web links that I could use to research homosexuality and the Bible?
Check out our Web links page (Coming Soon)
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21. What would I gain from becoming an ECWR member?
Annual membership dues are $24.00. You receive the following benefits from membership
in ECWR:
- thECable newsletter four times a year.
- Record and Review newsletters four times a year.
- Discounts on registration fees for conferences and retreats.
- Advance notification of events, activities and conferences.
- Satisfaction in knowing that you support an active ministry that brings hope to GLBT
Christians like you worldwide.
To become a member, check out our membership page (Coming Soon)..
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22. Do you have conferences or retreats?
Evangelicals Concerned sponsors and organizes an international conference every summer in various locations around the United States, called ConnECtion. Activities at this conference include workshops, casual get togethers, worship, and a preconference women's retreat. Personal support is available at the conference to those requesting it. (You might want to read about this year's conference.)
Also, Evangelicals Concerned chapters sometimes organize regional retreats away from the city in various locations. These retreats have activities that are similar to ConnECtion.
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23. Do you have activities just for women?
A women's retreat is held just before ConnECtion each year. (For specific information on this year's women's retreat, Click Here. Evangelicals Concerned chapters sometimes organize women's activities as well. Contact a a local chapter (information coming soon).
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24. How can I meet other gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgendered people who are Christians?
The best way is to attend activities designed specifically for GLBT Christians. Why not attend one of Evangelicals Concerned's activities?
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25. How can we start an Evangelicals Concerned chapter in our area?
Why reinvent the wheel? Let us help. Evangelicals Concerned offers information on setting up a local chapter and training sessions for local leaders. Please contact our regional office by email or phone. We'll connect you with someone trained to help local groups get started.
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26. We have an independent gay/lesbian Bible study in our city. Is there any advantage to being affiliated with Evangelicals Concerned?
Yes. Being connected to a larger fellowship can be important for many reasons. For example, our Web site www.ecwr.org receives thousands of visitors every month. If your Bible study becomes part of ECWR, you will immediately receive a powerful and no-cost way to connect to potential members.
Evangelicals Concerned has over 20 years of experience in running local chapters. Evangelicals Concerned assists all chapters with the necessary tools, such as brochures, reading materials and study guides. ECWR carries liability insurance for meetings and activities, which is a free service to all Evangelicals Concerned chapters. The organization provides scholarships to those needing assistance to attend ConnECtion, our annual conference.
Upon request, ECWR can send resource materials, study guides or guest speakers to your meetings (subject to availability). Additionally, we can advise or train your local chapter leaders, provide time-tested leadership materials, and schedule a leadership seminar in your area.
At the same time, your chapter is your group. Each ECWR chapter governs itself and retains its particular flavor, management style and activities. No one will tell you how to run the group or what to believe. Evangelicals Concerned exists to support, not dictate.
Please contact the regional office by email or phone. We'll connect you with someone trained to assist local groups.
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