The Village Church feels compelled to apologize, on behalf of the Church at large, for the demonization of homosexuality and the shunning or rejecting of any individuals for their same-sex desires. We affirm, in the strongest possible way, that those of us who are heterosexual in desire are not more righteous or more entitled to the grace of Jesus Christ than those of us who are homosexual. Nor are heterosexuals in less need of that grace.

G.A.M.E. really began in the heart of Sam Andreades, the pastor of The Village Church; the opening paragraph is taken from his statement on Homosexuality. This is also a reflection of his heart to the city¦to the neighborhood: Greenwich Village, where the church resides.

I returned attending The Village Church, after an absence of years, and shared my convictions and heart to Sam, concerning the vital need for competent, compassionate ministry to those struggling with homosexual issues in the church,as well as to the ever present gay community of New York. A group of four men began to dialogue for months on personal feelings surrounding of change and of the possibility of ministry rooted from The Village Church.

This past June, Sam and I attended the Love Won Out conference in Orlando, meeting with various Exodus leadership, to dialogue of our aspirations of ministry. G.A.M.E. now has a steering committee, of empathetic members of our congregation, who will manage policy and issues surrounding this outreach. We are also an Exodus Member Ministry, which will link from the Exodus International web site.

The church is here to provide an environment of grace that allows failure alongside the challenge to growth, whether in this area of behavior or in any other; to those opening their hearts to this transforming power of God, the Village Church opens its doors with a warm welcome. We need to rediscover the lost art of practicing hospitality - the ability to host a discussion that is intellectually stimulating in an environment of commonality and safety. This does not mean that we have to agree on everything, but that we have a common respect for each other, each others opinions, and for the intellectual integrity of the conversation.

My contentment is in the knowledge that we are not our own, and our maker guides our vision — thankfulness reigns within me.

Sincerely,
Thomas A. Farber