wfn.org | Founder of Transforming Congregations movement writes book

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

Aug. 19, 1999 News media contact: Thomas S.
McAnally*(615)742-5470*Nashville, Tenn. 10-28-71B{429}

By United Methodist News Service

The founder of an unofficial movement within the United Methodist Church
that seeks to "transform" practicing homosexuals has written a book titled,
Crisis in Ministry: a Wesleyan Response to the Gay Rights Movement.

The book, by the Rev. Robert L. Kuyper, will be released in September by
Bristol House Publishers, Anderson, Ind.  Kuyper, pastor of Trinity United
Methodist Church in Bakersfield, Calif., since 1984, founded the
"Transforming Congregation" movement and has edited its newsletter for the
past 10 years.  A clergy member of the church's California-Nevada Annual
Conference, he is a graduate of Emory University in Atlanta and Vanderbilt
University in Nashville, Tenn., and earned his Doctor of Ministry degree in
1997 at Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, Calif. 

Bristol House was founded in 1987 by Good News, the denomination's
unofficial conservative caucus, but was sold to independent investors in
1990.

Kuyper's book is described by the publisher as a basic handbook for
congregations who want to learn more and consider being available for
transforming ministry. Questions for discussion are provided with each
chapter. 

"The book looks at the modern gay rights movement and the accommodating and
homophobic responses from the church," according to a Bristol release.
"Then a theological basis is laid for a healing and transforming response
from the congregation itself as the body of Christ.  Renewal is necessary
for the healing of sexual brokenness to take place.  The book shows that the
same transforming ministry took place in the New Testament Church and in the
Wesleyan revival. " 

Kuyper's book was adapted from  the dissertation he wrote for his Doctor of
Ministry Degree at Fuller.  His faculty mentor during that time was the Rev.
Newton Malony, a United Methodist psychologist.  "Nowhere else will one find
so balanced a Biblical and pastoral presentation of concern for those who
are caught in the travail of homosexuality," Malony said.  "This book can be
read with the knowledge that judgment is always tempered with mercy and
hope." 

Stated mission of the Transforming Congregations movement is to:

*	affirm the Biblical position that God loves all persons, that
homosexual practice is one sin among many and that the power of the Holy
Spirit is available to transform all persons - including homosexual persons;
*	minister to persons struggling with homosexuality, their families
and all others affected by homosexuality as partners in Christ's work of
healing;
*	call the church to recognize its need for repentance and healing of
its homophobic and accommodating responses;
*	integrate all persons striving to live as faithful disciples of
Jesus Christ into full membership in the local church.

The book can be ordered from Bristol House by calling (800) 451-READ.  It
will also be available at the Confessing Movement meeting in Indianapolis
Sept. 9-11.  

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