Affinity

TfT is a member of Affinity, which represents our unity with hundreds of churches and Christian agencies around the country who are united in the revealed truth of the Bible.

Association of Christian Counsellors

TfT is affiliated to the Association of Christian Counsellors (membership no. AF64).

Evangelical Alliance

TfT is a member of the Evangelical Alliance.

LinC

TfT is a member of LinC, which is an interdenominational association of Christian ministries in Europe.

PATH

TfT is affiliated to PATH, which represents a range of support organisations across various faith and non-faith groups that present alternatives to homosexual behaviour for those seeking them.

Basis

The following Basis sums up what TfT and its members believe about the Bible and what it says about same-sex practice:

1. Our teaching and support work seeks to be in accordance with Scriptural principles.
2. Our understanding of Bible teaching is that any sexual relationship outside of marriage between a man and a woman falls short of God's plan for His creation (the "one-flesh" relationship, Genesis 2:24).
3. We are aware that many Christians are sexually attracted to members of the same sex, but are often afraid to admit it to themselves or other Christians. In particular they fear rejection and condemnation.
4. We believe that one consequence of the Fall is brokenness in all areas of our lives, including our sexuality and relationships with people. The wounds arising from this inherent brokenness require God's transforming touch - whatever our sexuality may be.
5. We believe the Christian good news is that ongoing change in all areas of our lives is possible through the work of the Holy Spirit within. Counselling and therapy are one of the tools God uses in this process. Growth towards wholeness may involve a change in emotions and sexual feelings, although we do not see it as our aim to 'cure' homosexuality.
6. We do not believe a sexual relationship is essential for a meaningful life. We therefore seek to foster positive attitudes to singleness in the church.
7. We accept there are alternative viewpoints concerning homosexuality. We respect those holding different beliefs and acknowledge the right of individuals to choose how they live their lives before God.

If you are in agreement with our Basis, and would like to join the TfT membership, please go to the Contact Us page.

Where there is a * you must complete this part of the form.

Leadership

TfT operates under the leadership of our Director, Jonathan Berry. There is a small paid staff team, but much of the work is performed by our network of Voluntary Workers around the UK.

The overall responsibility for the running of the Trust lies with the Board of Trustees, who meet three times a year to steer the organisation and to provide support and accountability to the staff team.

Council of Reference

Our Council of Reference consists of widely respected Christian figures who support the ministry of TfT:

Funding

Funding of TfT is entirely by voluntary giving. We are also a registered charity (Charity Commission Number 513863) and our accounts are published in accordance with Charity Commission regulations.

Media policy

TfT seeks to maintain a low profile in the media and broader secular context. This enables us to focus our efforts on supporting people who agree with our Basis, rather than expending our limited resources on campaigning. Our discreet nature also helps to provide safety and privacy for our members, who often would not want the risk of being associated with an organisation under the gaze of the media.

Whilst we happily provide support to individuals from any faith or world view, our focus will always be mainly on supporting Christians, given our emphasis on the Bible.

We will always decline invitations to participate from secular media organisations. Approaches from explicitly Christian media organisations should be made via our Contact form.

At TfT, we are keen to ensure that our staff and Voluntary Workers operate to a high standard. We adhere to the following policies that are available to members on request:

• Code of Conduct, for all our staff and Voluntary Workers.
• Code of Confidentiality, which is a condition of membership.
• Policy Regarding Under 18 Year Olds & Vulnerable Adults.
• Data Protection Policy.
• Complaints Procedure, for clients, staff and Voluntary Workers.

TfT has its main office in Wirral, near Liverpool, but its staff team is spread around England. We do have a team of Voluntary Workers throughout the United Kingdom, including Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Check out the map of Barnabas Groups for details of our local support groups.

We also have overseas members in Europe, the United States and beyond who support our ministry and benefit from our conferences and increasing online resources.

Our Vision:

Clarity and compassion in the Church on issues of sexuality

To see the Church uphold traditional biblical teaching on sexuality with understanding and compassion, so that Christians who struggle with same-sex attractions gain increasing acceptance, wholeness and maturity in faith within their local church

Our Mission:

Teach the truth in love and support those who struggle with same-sex attractions

To teach and encourage individuals, their families and friends as they deal with issues around same-sex attractions, working in partnership with Christian leaders and local churches to promote a biblical pattern for sexual relationships

Our Goals:

What do we pray that God will accomplish through our work?

1. Churches and individual Christians will honour the pattern for sexual relationships established in Genesis 2:24 and reinforced throughout the Bible, recognising that any sexual relationship outside of marriage between one man and one woman falls short of God’s plan for His creation
2. Individual Christians will mature in faith and will experience a growing sense of God’s grace and of their being fully accepted in Christ (Rom 15:7), regardless of any ongoing sexual struggles
3. Individual Christians and local churches will recognise that true freedom, contentment and wholeness are found by trusting and following Jesus Christ, rather than being defined by the absence of same-sex attractions
4. Christians who struggle with same-sex attractions will embrace their true identity as being rooted in Christ, rather than in their sexual attractions
5. Churches, church leaders and youth workers will better understand the development of emotional and sexual feelings and behaviour, and be equipped to compassionately support those who face issues around sexuality
6. Churches and individual Christians will recognise that being single is as much a gift from God as is being married (1 Corinthians 7:7), and will lovingly support, encourage and value single Christians
7. Christians who struggle with same-sex attractions will lovingly support one another in their pursuit of godly lives which honour Jesus Christ
8. Churches will challenge prejudice, recognising that every Christian falls short of God’s glory and that sexual sins are not singled out in the Bible as being worse than other sins such as slander, greed and drunkenness (e.g. 1 Cor 6:9-11)
9. Individual Christians and local churches will recognise the value and unique gifting of every follower of Jesus Christ (1 Cor 12:7), including those dealing with sexual temptations

Male and female homosexuality have become much more open subjects in recent years. Gay and lesbian rights groups increasingly campaign for the acceptance of homosexuality as a valid lifestyle, and many people now question their attitudes to the subject. Within the church the response has been mixed. Some deny there is a biblical prohibition of homosexual relationships as we know them today, whilst others react with fear and disgust, regarding homosexual sin as worse than any other. Perhaps the majority would rather avoid thinking about the subject.

Worst of all, fear of rejection means many within the church are unable to discuss their sexual struggles with other Christians and so feel condemned and helpless. Others have left the church feeling they have not experienced the healing promised.

Yet there are many whose struggle, pain and confusion have been transformed by the unconditional love offered by God, the forgiveness and healing made available by Jesus Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit. For them, the security and intimacy of God's love, together with godly relationships in the family of Christ, have replaced the searching for affirmation and affection through sexual fantasies or relationships.

TfT exists to make this way forward known. Many of us face homosexual issues personally. We offer support, help and encouragement to those on this journey and to their families and friends.

TfT was founded in 1977 by Martin Hallett and the late Canon L. Roy Barker. Martin was involved in a homosexual lifestyle for over nine years before Jesus dramatically changed his life in 1972.