Below is an in-depth look at Six:11 Ministries. Our confession of faith is built upon the Apostles Creed.
The first thing you should know, we do not claim to be an “ex-gay ministry” or a “change ministry.” Six:11 Ministries is a wholeness ministry. This simply means that we are a ministry that helps people seek spiritual transformation with the Father. We do not just focus on a person’s homosexuality, but their entire relationship and life with Christ: their heart, their minds, their identity, their calling … etc. Our mission is to proclaim God’s Identity and Wholeness; this is the only “agenda” we strive to carry out. In this, we desire to make disciples – not just converts – who live and yearn for God’s Glory.
Secondly, we believe that God’s Loving-Kindness is the start of all transformation. Through His Spirit, God refines us into the image He first created us to be (identity). Within His image, we strive to live for Christ because of our Love for Him and His Love for us (wholeness). This is not to say that we live as perfect human beings, but rather we live as people in need of a Savior. We live out of His work, His grace, and His Love.
Romans 2:4, 2 Corinthians 5:14, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
We want to journey with the Church in effectively ministering to those who are gay. We do this by:
- helping them understand who gays and lesbians are
- helping them understand their own identity in Christ
- helping them understand God’s Mission (their calling)
Likewise, we want to journey with those in the gay community as they experience and live within the Love of God. We do this by:
- helping them understand what God’s Love is
- helping them understand their identity in Christ
- helping them understand God’s purpose for them
In this understanding, then, Six:11 Ministries walks upon the common ground that all are made in the image of God and that all people need Jesus. Therefore, the core values we adhere to and teach about are:
- We belong to God
- We believe in God
- We are transformed by God
Again, God’s Love awakens our heart and seals our identity in Him: we are His children. As we begin to learn who we are in Christ, we also begin to learn what we have in Christ: grace upon grace, every spiritual blessing. In this, we start to believe in the Truth, and this Truth sets us free from the things that once held us bond. Within this freedom, then, we begin to live not for ourselves but for Him. We begin to desire His will over our own; we begin to walk and live out of His Spirit’s power. We do this not because we are forced to, but because His Love compels us.
1 John 3:1, Ephesians 1, John 8:31-32, Philippians 3, Romans 8, 2 Corinthians 5:14-15
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Not an “Ex-Gay” ministry
As stated above, we are not an “ex-gay ministry”. In today’s culture, many define “ex-gay” as one going from 100% gay to 100% straight, that one is no longer tempted by same-sex attractions, and that one has to be married with 3.5 kids. Six:11 Ministries does not adhere to this message.This does not define what we are about; therefore, we do not define ourselves as an “ex-gay ministry”.
When dealing with homosexuality, the Church can never assume that marriage and becoming “straight” are the end-all goals. For some people, same-sex attractions go away over time; for others, same-sex attraction are a constant thorn. For some marriage is an option in the future; for others, they have no desire to marry the opposite sex, much less date them.
What a person struggles with, is attracted to, does not define their relationship with Christ or their spiritual maturity. It is a part of them, but it does not define them. What matters is who they are in Christ, and how they live out that identity.
Read The “ex-gay” question for more understanding.
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Not a Change ministry
Six:11 is also not a “change ministry”. We do not force anyone to change their ways, or their sexuality. Yes, we believe that acting upon homosexual desires is wrong. Yes, we pray that people not give into these desires, but rather live in the Truth and renewal of God’s Word. However, we do not force these things upon people for the sole reason we cannot change anyone. A person must decide for themselves to change their ways. No one else can make this choice for them.
So, we do not demand that people stop having gay relationships, or stop lusting after the same-sex and start lusting after the opposite sex. (In essence we are only trading up one lust for another … ALL lust is wrong. Period. This is not a good trade up, or a goal to shoot for.)
Instead we Love and walk beside people in their journey, pointing them to the Heart of the Father, allowing God’s power (Spirit) to transform them from the inside out. We do not hide or deny the Truth, rather we speak and live out the Truth in Love. In this, we strive to imitate Christ (see John 4, 8, and Luke 15).
Read The “change” question for more understanding.
