THE CHURCH AS HEALER

The greatest need of the human race is to belong to a family. We need a father and mother who will love us, will provide for us, and will fight for us. We need siblings who will be there for us when others are not— brothers and sisters who have had similar experiences and with whom we can identify, defend, and look up to. We need a family who, because we are stuck together, will forgive each other and not abandon one another when members of the family fail or when there are hard times. We need people who will be there for us for the long haul—from birth to death—people who are willing to give their lives for us.

It is not by coincidence that the gay community is called “the family.” The need for family is acute for gays and lesbians because many of them have experienced dysfunction in their own biological family to some degree. It is important to understand that same-sex attraction in and of itself is not a sin. At the root of the same-sex attraction is a longing to be loved by the same sex, and that is a God-given need that should be met.

The same can be said for those who struggle with sexual addiction, drug addiction, and those who have experienced the effects of verbal, physical, emotional, and/or sexual abuse. I have heard many testimonies of people being healed of life debilitating addictions and wounds via the local church. However, the healing always occurs within the context of a caring relationship. Sermons, Bible studies, retreats, and conferences play their part to heal and restore, but true and lasting healing always comes through personal relationships. As members of a local church, we are to be sisters and brothers in Christ.