Journey UK: Freedom to choose
We are a Christian pastoral ministry. People come to us for a wide variety of reasons.
We operate in a faith context. We do not offer counselling. If we are approached for counselling we refer only to counsellors whose professional code of conduct prohibits conversion therapy.
We provide a combination of worship, teaching and prayer, for adults only, looking primarily at our relationship with God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit; along with our other relationships in the light of Scripture.
We make no secret of the fact that we maintain an orthodox Biblical approach to questions of marriage and sex. We believe that the Bible teaches marriage is between one man and one woman for life. Anyone coming on one of our courses is aware of that.
In that light we have over the years welcomed many men and women with self-identified same sex attraction. We are happy to support them pastorally, just as we support anyone else.
Some Christians with same sex attraction may seek in the light of Scripture not to embrace a gay lifestyle. We believe that, as adults, they are free to make such a choice and we are free to support them in that, if that is their choice. Some may find that objectionable, but our freedom of religion includes the freedom to discuss sexual matters in a religious context, to teach in the light of Scripture and for adults to make choices accordingly.
We all enjoy freedom of conscience, freedom of speech and freedom of religion. Journey UK offers individuals the opportunity to exercise their own autonomy in the exploration of their relationship patterns in the context of those freedoms. It provides support for those who wish to explore how these relationship and behavioural patterns may be influenced. Those accessing the ministry of Journey UK are seeking to live a life in line with their own self-selected values and belief system.
We wish to make clear that we do not view same sex attraction as an illness or an addiction and we welcome all people to our courses, of whatever gender identity or orientation.
One of the outside texts we have used refers, on one page, to homosexuality as “an addiction”. We ourselves do not view it in those terms.
However, those with same sex attraction, as with any orientation, may also have sexual addiction. We facilitate a group for those, of whatever orientation, who seek support and accountability in this area.
We recognise that there are many, both within and outside the church, who disagree with our approach to sexual matters. We respect those who hold such views and always honour any individual who attends our courses with diverging views. Those who come to us do so voluntarily and are free to agree or disagree with any aspect of our ministry.
12 November 2018
