A Christian ministry that claims to help troubled young women has been accused of attempting to force lesbians into heterosexuality.
Sy Rogers in 'Turnaround'
Several women who have taken part in programs run by Mercy Ministries in Sydney have spoken out against the ministry.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports the women are issued with ‘separation contracts’ if they develop close friendships during their stay at Mercy Ministries and that physical contact between residents is banned.
They said women are not allowed to change clothes if another person is in the room.
One former resident said she was perplexed by the ministry’s ongoing focus on sexuality.
“While I was there, we received much teaching on the evils of gay and lesbian lifestyles,” Naomi told the SMH.
“In particular, there was an ongoing video series by Sy Rogers, an ex-gay – now reformed – married Christian.”
Rogers is an American pastor who speaks on Christianity and sexuality.
Apart from his association with Mercy Ministries, he has also been a guest of Sydney’s Hillsong Church.
Hillsong, which sees more than 21,000 people attend its services every weekend, has issued a statement on its website regarding its association with the ministry:
“We have made an annual contribution to the ongoing work of Mercy Ministries for several years, however we are not involved in the operational aspects of the organisation.
“The Sydney residents of Mercy Ministries also attend our Sunday morning church service.”
Rogers spoke at Hillsong Church’s 'Sense and Sexuality Workshop' last September and will address Hillsong’s 'Colour Your World' conference in 2009.
Hillsong’s Senior Pastor Brian Houston issued the following statement to MCV:
“As a church we always endeavour to treat people compassionately whatever they may be facing in life.
“We are a Christian Church and as such believe the Bible provides us with clear teaching on sexuality and sexual expression — heterosexual and homosexual.
“But I do not believe this is about rules and regulations as much as God wanting what is best for each of us.
“God has created each of us as sexual beings, and I do not believe it is His will for it to be complicated.
“However, I recognise that people face very real issues in regards to sexuality. I have seen this both in my wider family, our church and society more generally. This is a global challenge that most of the world’s churches are grappling with, and we, like them, are trying to balance theology with compassion.”
A spokesperson for Hillsong Church, Maris Ieroianni, told MCV everyone is welcome at its services.
“The current leadership of Hillsong Church has never endorsed the programs you mention, it was a different era and different leadership approach.”
Mercy Ministries did not respond to MCV’s queries about its program, however Peter Irvine, Mercy Ministries CEO, makes this statement on their website:
“Mercy Ministries Australia has been surprised at recent media articles which reported a range of inaccuracies about our program. Mercy Ministries Australia was founded in 2000 as a Christian based charity. We offer a six-month residential program for young women who are battling life-controlling issues such as eating disorders, self-harm, abuse, depression and anxiety.”
However, the application form for the program, alongside questions regarding the above ‘life-controlling’ issues asks, “have you ever been involved in any form of same-sex relationship?”
Another former Mercy Ministries resident said: “They asked if I had been involved in drug abuse, witchcraft or lesbianism. They bunch it together like that.”
Hillsong Church denies it supports ‘ex-gay’ programs, but states on its website: “Sy was a tremendous blessing to us during our Sense & Sexuality Conference and it is a pleasure to welcome Sy to the Colour 09 platform.”
Sy Rogers’ video on combating homosexuality, Turnaround, can be found on YouTube.
Having lived on both sides of the fences (including a keen involvement in Hillsong Church), I understand where both group is coming from. This website (and the author's book "Anything but Straight" gives an astounding insight into the 'ex-gay' movement's unfounded and uncompassionate attack on the gay community world wide.
... written by nika , 16 May, 2008
What is the big deal with homosexuality and Christianity anyway? If you look through the Bible, the only real types of references you come across concerning homosexuals is in Leviticus, and then they seem to focus on sodomy, so why are they specifically targeting lesbianism? Who does it harm, and why would God give people such natural desires if it were not allowed?
... written by stacey , 14 April, 2008
Silkworm, hear, hear.
... written by sarah , 30 March, 2008
Thanks Sy for speaking the truth despite left wing attacks!
... written by Gloria Jean , 25 March, 2008
Each and every Gloria Jean's coffee shop has a Mercy Ministries donation box on its front counter - perhaps you could have mentioned this.
... written by silkworm , 22 March, 2008
Sy Rogers is an undesirable visitor to Australia. He should "turnaround" and go back to America.
... written by Barfenzie , 21 March, 2008
Crisis counsellors advise clients not to start new relationships or make big life changing decisions during a crisis because judgement is affected.
The request to abstain from sexual relationships in a treatment setting would appear to be reasonable. To target lesbians for special mention is blatantly unreasonable this smacks of cultism.
... written by Ian J , 21 March, 2008
Another group of repressed Christians being led by a man of dubious charter.
Why are Christians so concerned with what other people are doing in bed? Sounds like 'peeping toms' to me.
... written by Vee , 21 March, 2008
If I was imprisoned without being able to touch another woman I would literally go out of my mind. I think that's what is happening here
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