Supporting people with homosexual struggles

The culture in which we live today is one that is highly charged sexually.  All around us are magazine articles, advertisements, TV soap stories and documentaries etc constantly challenging us to focus on our sexual identity.  Official documents often now ask our sexual orientation (as if that is any business of anybody but ourselves) and we see debates on sexual issues within some mainstream denominations creating schism and breakdown in relationships.

In this climate, the needs of individuals who struggle with sexual issues, especially those who profess a Christian faith and wish to live in godly ways, are too easily drowned out by the “sexual noise” round about us.  They can often be afraid to express their struggles, and when they do, they may not be heard as well as they need to be.  This can be most acute for those who might classify themselves as having a sexual orientation other than heterosexual.

The challenge to us as pastoral workers is to seek out some keys that will enable us to best support those who come to us for help with their struggles.  I hope to provide a few pointers in this article.

By Phil, TfT Regional Ministries Overseer