Exodus International Fragments Over Focus
Christianity Today: Ex-gay coalition shifts from reparative therapy to discipleship after losing prominent partners. When California became the first state to ban reparative therapy for minors this fall, the public scrutiny of the treatment drew attention to Exodus International , the nation's largest ex-gay ministry . But Exodus had already stopped promoting the practice, saying it was largely ineffective. Exodus's shift on reparative therapy has been only one of several therapeutic and theological controversies that divided the ministry this year. Top leaders and dozens of affiliate ministries have defected from the 37-year-old umbrella ministry as it has attempted to reshape its mission and public image. Board member John Warren, a 53-year-old Florida banker who publicly defended Exodus president Alan Chambers in the face of this summer's criticism, reversed course and parted ways with the Orlando, Florida, ministry in September. Warren said he became uncomfortable w