In 1999, Cross Ministry surveyed attendees at a missions conference sponsored by a church in Raleigh, N.C. The participants completed the survey in private and remained anonymous.

All participants - forty-six males, fifty-one females - identified themselves as Christian. Male respondents ranged in age from twenty-four to sixty-eight with an average age of forty. Female respondents ranged in age from twenty-three to sixty-six with an average age of thirty-eight. Sixty-seven respondents were married, twenty-three had never been married, five were divorced, and two widowed. Eleven respondents indicated they had been attracted to the same sex, and eight indicated they had had a same-sex sexual experience.

The following is the survey with the corresponding responses:

Do you believe homosexual behavior is a sin?
97 percent said yes; 2 percent said no

What factor(s) do you believe contribute to a homosexual orientation? (Circle all that apply.) Note: these are not percentages since those responding could circle as many as they wished.

Sixteen said "Genetics"; seventy-one said "Conscious Choice"; sixty-nine said "Early Family Dynamics"; seventy-two said "Early Sexual Abuse"

Are you personally acquainted with someone who is homosexual or whom you believe to be homosexual?
72 percent said yes; 27 percent said no

Do you find it difficult to share Christ with someone you know or believe to be homosexual?
39 percent said yes; 48 percent said no

Do you believe the church has adequately addressed the issue of healing of homosexuality?
12 percent said yes; 81 percent said no

Do you believe Southern Baptists need to offer help for those affected by homosexuality?
94 percent said yes; 2 percent said no

Do you think the testimony from a former homosexual would be appropriate in a local church?
90 percent said yes; 1 percent said no

Indications

• More than two-thirds of respondents know homosexual men and women.
• Most respondents do not "buy into" a genetic link to homosexuality and recognize the influence of environmental factors.
• Most respondents incorrectly believe homosexuals "choose" their desires. This ignores the distinction between homosexual temptation and homosexual behavior.
• The overwhelming majority of respondents believe Southern Baptist churches should do more to minister to those with unwanted homosexual attractions.

If this is generally reflective of Southern Baptist churches it supports equipping members to evangelize homosexuals, the need for better educating our members concerning homosexuality, and the need for churches to effectively minister to those seeking deliverance from homosexuality.

This article was published by:

• SBC Life - February-March 2000
• Exodus International - http://www.exodus.to/content/view/212/35/
  (reprinted from SBC Life)