Statement from Alan Chambers Regarding Exodus and Dawson McAllister

Recent events involving youth leader Dawson McAllister, Clear Channel Communications and Exodus International have been spotlighted in numerous blogs and publications over the past few days. While Exodus is no stranger to controversy, we are usually reluctant to make public statements critical of other organizations or leaders, particularly those for whom we have high personal regard. But the very public nature of this situation leaves us no choice but to clarify our feelings and position on the matter.

On Sunday April 11, a 22 year old gay blogger named Greg Kimball called into McAllister’s syndicated radio talk show Dawson McAllister Live, posing as a 16 year old seeking advice about his homosexuality. The show’s representative referred him to Exodus, which was listed on McAllister’s website as a partner. (Other partners on the site include Focus on the Family and Campus Crusade for Christ.) Kimball, apparently outraged that a youth-oriented radio show would refer people to Exodus, went public with his discovery, resulting in a number of communications to Clear Channel demanding they take action.

Clear Channel subsequently informed Dawson that he would need to remove Exodus’ name from his referral list. Citing its non-discriminatory policy, the company defended what many would view as censorship, stating that because of their commitment to diversity, they expect that “listeners who call (Dawson McAllister Live) be treated in a manner consistent with our corporate commitments to diversity.” Left with a choice between losing favor with Clear Channel by maintaining a relationship with Exodus, or maintaining media visibility by severing our ties, he chose the latter. On Thursday April 15 he informed us personally that, while he loves and supports Exodus, our name was now deleted from his partner’s list, and he will no longer refer to us. That decision has been well publicized, requiring a response.

Our esteem for Dawson is not in question here. His achievements are remarkable – <<over 1 million copies of his books and manuals sold; a 15 year broadcasting career; a radio show boasting over 140 stations – and I’ve made no secret of his impact on me.  In 1991 we met in Lakeland, Florida.  I was 19 at the time, and it was through his personal referral that I found Exodus International. Dawson McAllister was the catalyst for my journey, which eventually led me to direct the organization he’s now unwilling to officially associate with. (Could the irony be any more bitter?)

But respect notwithstanding, it’s troubling to see any Christian-led organization allow itself to be guided by the demands of pro-gay advocates. While Exodus is the group being marginalized in this case, it's the freedom to express a traditional viewpoint of sexuality that's really at stake, raising the obvious question: Who's Next? Should all on-air ministries who teach that homosexuality falls short of God’s will expect a knock on the door, demanding they either water it down or close shop? And if that knock comes, is the truth about human sexuality really a negotiable item? Is the definition of marriage and family so small a matter to Christian leaders that they’ll avoid inconvenient truth (or inconvenient relationships) to keep their audience? If so, we wonder what other Biblical truths are up for negotiation when on-air visibility is at stake.

We appreciate the need one group may have to distance itself from another. We’ve made that painful decision ourselves, when we’ve realized that differences in belief or approach were so great that we had no choice but to severe ties with those we could longer in good faith support. So if an associate no longer shares our position on homosexuality, we respect his need to break ties with us. Likewise, if someone shares our viewpoint but objects to the way we implement it, we hope they’ll discuss their concerns with us so we can consider them and, if no agreement can be reached, we wish them the best as they move on.

But according to both Dawson and his CEO (who also spoke with me by phone) this severance had nothing to do with disagreement. The CEO, in fact, assured me they still love Exodus and believe in what we are doing, which bothers me all the more. When organizational relations end due to irreconcilable differences of belief or practice, that makes sense. But when someone publicly dumps you then privately whispers “We still believe in what you’re doing”, isn’t some kind of double-mindedness at play? Both of them also stressed to me their desire to stay on Clear Channel, which is understandable. But at what cost? When a Christian leader is forced to choose between truth and market numbers, should market numbers really be the deciding factor?

Yes, according to Dawson’s CEO, who told me that only 1% of their callers over the past 15 months had phoned in with this issue. "Should we forsake the 99 percent for the 1 percent?" he asked. Had he remembered the parable of the lost sheep, in which a good shepherd left the 99 for the 1, he might have answered his own question. 

And there’s the rub. If Dawson McAllister was a secular, non-Christian leader, his priorities would make sense. But if he serves the One who warned “Woe unto you when all men speak well of you”, and follows in the steps of the Apostle who said, “If I seek the favor of men, I should not be a servant of Jesus Christ”, then his response to pressure from gay activists and Clear Channel is distressing. We earnestly hope it will be the exception, not the rule, when similar pressure is exerted on other visible leaders.

As for us, we’ll continue our commitment to Biblically based truth regarding homosexuality, and to that 1% that is, to us, precious. And on a personal note, I’ll admit that yes, I am sad, yet I am determined.  I'm not giving up or in.  You can count on me, 1%.  I'm for you, and both I and my colleagues at Exodus will continue to tell you the truth about God's never-ending grace and mercy.

To Contact Clear Channel:

Marc Mays, CEO, Clear Channel; Executive Assistant: Carole Adamek, 210-832-3306
Lisa Dollinger, Communications Director, Clear Channel: [email protected]
Ms. Dollinger's Executive Assistant: [email protected]; 210-832-334

When you call or write (OR BOTH), do not simply accept referrals to Premiere Radio--register your concern BOTH places. 

Click here to register your concerns with Dawson, as well.

Comments

[Jen Thorne]

My hope and prayer for Dawson is that God will show him in a tangible way that this decision will not be a benefit for him and that he will change his decision and stand for Grace & Truth.

Thanks Alan for all that you do in service the Lord, you are an encouragement to me.

[AlanMChambers]

Thanks, Jen! I appreciate you and your encouraging support. I am praying for Dawson, too!

[Countervail]

The reason one might find the whole concept appalling regarding Dawson McAllister Live and Exodus, is two-fold.

First what is a national radio show doing referring a minor to a completely non-accredited organization for help during a time of crisis? This is an amazing lack of foresight nearing the boundaries of child endangerment.

Second how could any organization, on the basis of belief and belief only, be in a position to counsel a minor on such a personal concern, especially when that organizations founding position is that the thing the minor is concerned by is essentially wrong?

My hope and prayer is that God helps you understand that that being busybodies helps no one, especially those you think you're helping (whether it be yourself or others).

1 Peter 4:15
"If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people's affairs."

[WIl]

@Countervail

Are you serious? A 22 year old gay blogger is posing as a 16 year old confused kid in order to stir up trouble, and you're accusing Exodus of being a busybody? Did you even bother to read the story?

As for completely non-accredited organization, I'm sure they could have found some accredited psychologist to help him resolve is identity issues. That is if this guy wasn't busying PRETENDING he had a problem. Or maybe you just don't like Exodus take on human sexuality. Then they problem would likely be yours

[Kathy Baldock]

alan-you asked me to repost my comments to here and they have not appeared here either. Can you let me know why. Thank you

[AlanMChambers]

Kathy,

COmments are not moderated. Unsure why your comments have not shown up. Confused.

Alan

[William Bennett]

Not really sure as to how exodus goes about its practice, But I do believe in the greater commandment of "Love your neighbor as yourself" I would want someone to come up beside me and help me reach a goal or commandment of God.
As an ex-gay I can attribute nothing of my success to this world, but give God His glory.
I am truly excited to say that I would welcome the opportunity to see exodus in action. I am currently looking into creating a ministry in my Church to help those wanting to leave the choice of the gay lifestyle.

Be blessed
Bill Bennett