CORE values...
- healthy Christ-centred self-love as the basis of successful relationships with others
- healthy relationships that are neither dependent, avoidant, nor co-dependent or counter-dependent, but are interdependent
- the perspective that individual journeys towards relational wholeness sometimes go awry. The search for intimacy can be derailed by many imitations
- work which understands the homosexual drive, in both men and women, as a reparative impulse aiming to realise wholeness, which can be nurtured in a Christ-centred way
- recognition of the danger of ChristianChurches misunderstanding the plight of men and women seeking to overcome homosexuality by working through their issues in fellowship with other believers
- the sufficiency of the Word of God, the fellowship of believers, and the support of professional therapists to enable the relationally and sexually broken individual to find wholeness and completion in Christ
- the right of others, including other Christians, to hold different views and practices in relation to homosexuality.
- CORE seeks to provide information supporting informed freedom of choice to those seeking guidance in respect of sexuality. However, it reserves the right to promote lifestyle choices that support those who decline gay-affirming options in favour of gender-affirming alternatives.
Ethical considerations
Personal development work associated with CORE around the issue of same sex attraction should be cognisant of the following principles[1]:
- Therapeutic assistance should proceed with advanced informed consent that includes realistic estimates of the benefits of interventions and balanced warnings about the potential for harm.
- The Church’s right to teach its understanding of the Divine intention for the ordering of sexual relationships balanced against its responsibility to ensure that those who seek pastoral support and counselling do not encounter an atmosphere of shame and coercion.
- The priority of client autonomy and self-determination in setting goals for the intervention.
- Accreditation and competencies of pastoral counsellors and volunteers.
- Arrangements for the supervision and oversight of those offering counselling and minimum standards of experience and training.
- Explicit commitment to combating prejudice and stigma against people with same-sex attractions.
[1]De Pomerai D., and
Last modified: Wednesday, 17 February 2010, 01:59 PM