E-mail
Print
RSS
G-bookmarks
Live
TechnoratiBoth Chambers and Wilkins are happily married men and after decades of freedom from homosexuality, they still admit to being human. But Wilkins believes Haggard, also married, is doing a "disservice" to evangelicals by claiming to be completely straight and not admitting that his struggle is with same-sex attraction.
Amid skepticism on Haggard's claim, associate pastor Rob Brendle of New Life Church, which Haggard formerly pastored, said what the evangelical leader meant to communicate was that his choice is to be married to his wife and to love her.
Nevertheless, as one of the most influential evangelicals in the nation, Haggard is being watched closely by Christians all around the world, said Wilkins, who hopes the former church leader will not lead people erroneously into perpetuating a "quick fix" type of mentality.
The struggle with same-sex attraction and the inadequate responses Christians have been finding in evangelical churches have led some homosexuals seeking therapy, some adopting gay theology, some becoming disillusioned, and some leaving the Christian faith altogether, noted Wilkins.
Still, Wilkins sees improvement in the churches. Invitations are coming in more frequently for him to speak at Christian venues. He was even invited this year to a United Methodist Church which he says has fought "a long, hard battle" on homosexuality.
