Still Time to Care - by Greg Johnson

About the Book

Still Time to Care tells the untold story of the 'ex-gay' movement in the evangelical church, a 40-year failed experiment to cure homosexuality. It also provides a four-part postmortem and a path forward--a call to the Christian church to embrace their non-straight fellow believers who live lives of costly obedience.

Book Synopsis

Charting the path forward for our churches and ministries in providing care--not a cure-- for our non-straight sisters and brothers who are living lives of costly obedience to Jesus.

At the start of the gay rights movement in 1969, evangelicalism's leading voices cast a vision for gay people who turn to Jesus. It was C.S. Lewis, Billy Graham, Francis Schaeffer and John Stott who were among the most respected leaders within theologically orthodox Protestantism. We see with them a positive pastoral approach toward gay people, an approach that viewed homosexuality as a fallen condition experienced by some Christians who needed care more than cure.

With the birth and rise of the ex-gay movement, the focus shifted from care to cure. As a result, there are an estimated 700,000 people alive today who underwent conversion therapy in the United States alone. Many of these patients were treated by faith-based, testimony-driven parachurch ministries centered on the ex-gay script. Despite the best of intentions, the movement ended with very troubling results. Yet the ex-gay movement died not because it had the wrong sex ethic. It died because it was founded on a practice that diminished the beauty of the gospel.

Yet even after the closure of the ex-gay umbrella organization Exodus International in 2013, the ex-gay script continues to walk about as the undead among us, pressuring people like me to say, "I used to be gay, but I'm not gay anymore. Now I'm just same-sex attracted."

For orthodox Christians, the way forward is to take a close look at our history. It is time again to focus with our Neo-Evangelical fathers on caring over attempting to cure.

With warmth and humor, as well as original research, Still Time to Care provides:

• Guidance for the gay person who hears the gospel and finds themselves smitten by the life-giving call of Jesus.
• Guidance for the church to repent of its homophobia and instead offer gospel-motivated love and compassion.

Review Quotes

'As an anti-Christian gay man who decided to follow Jesus, and who was never exposed to the ex-gay world, I welcome this book as a vital contribution through the eyes of another gay atheist-turned-Christian who walked harrowingly through it. Many critiques of the ex-gay world and its theology have been leveraged by those who take its radical opposite position. Greg Johnson is different. He is one who has fought and paid the price to remain close to the Lord and in obedience to his Word and yet to challenge ex-gay theology, dismantle its harm, and face its complicated and flawed humanity. In this rare window into an experience that requires greater understanding, Greg points compassionately and critically to the greater hope of the gospel and the deeper third way that Jesus provides for the LGBTQI+ community in a world addicted to ideological certainty and harmful culture-war divides. A must-read.'-- David Bennett, speaker and writer; author, A War of Loves: The Unexpected Story of a Gay Activist Discovering Jesus

'Dr. Greg Johnson deserves our thanks for writing such a grace-filled book full of wisdom and insight. As a model pastor-theologian, Greg handles the sensitive and controversial topic of homosexuality with both pastoral candor and theological nuance. Drawing inspiration from such evangelical luminaries as C. S. Lewis, Billy Graham, Francis Schaeffer, and John Stott, Greg makes a compelling case for a 'paradigm of care' as opposed to a 'paradigm of cure.' The result is an excellent book with an inspiring gospel vision whatever your orientation--a vision marked not by hope in heterosexuality but hope in Christ. Highly recommended!'-- Todd Wilson, PhD, cofounder and president, The Center for Pastor Theologians

'Every so often a book comes along of such consequence that it has the potential to reshape the discourse of its subject matter. Still Time to Care is such a book, and I pray that it revolutionizes the evangelical conversation about gay people and the history of the pastoral care we have received in the North American church. Combining careful attention to historical detail with incisive analysis of cultural Christianity, Johnson tells the tragic story of how ex-gay theology invaded the worldview of evangelical Christians, laying the foundation for decades of systemic pastoral malpractice. Johnson exposes the theological rot at the core of ex-gay theology, while also identifying the ways it continues to shape evangelical discourse today about gay people and our experience. And as if that were not enough, Johnson draws on his decades-long experience as a faithful pastor to chart a positive path forward so that all of us can grow together to become more like Jesus. Still Time to Care is a necessary, challenging, and deeply hopeful contribution to the ongoing conversation about the church and gay people.'-- Nate Collins, PhD, president and founder, Revoice; author, All But Invisible

'Greg offers a fast-paced, compelling historical account of the church's failure to engage LGBT+ people. In missiology, we know that it's so critical to learn history or else we'll repeat it. And sure enough, today the church risks returning to culture war over gender identity. While there is still time to care, there isn't much time! And this time, the next steps we take will impact our ability to extend Christ to an entire next generation.'-- Bill Henson, founder and creator, Posture Shift Ministries, Inc.

'Greg Johnson offers a fascinating look into the rise of the ex-gay movement and the reasons for a diminished ex-gay narrative today. He takes the reader back in history to key voices evangelicals admired to move the reader forward into a vision of biblical faithfulness and nuanced pastoral care and communal support for those who are both gay and Christian.'-- Mark A. Yarhouse, PsyD, Dr. Arthur P. Rech and Mrs. Jean May Rech Professor of Psychology, Wheaton College

'I am in awe of all that Greg achieves so successfully in this incredible book: a critical history of the ex-gay movement, a culturally sensitive defense of traditional sexual ethics, a pastoral manifesto for a better future--all wrapped up in the gospel of grace and accompanied by his own story (and wry sense of humor). I loved every page and am looking forward to seeing the good it will do every church leader and member who reads it.'-- Ed Shaw, ministry director, www.livingout.org; pastor, Emmanuel City Centre, Bristol (UK); author, Purposeful Sexuality: A Short Christian Introduction

'In my city, you can always find a sign proclaiming 'Gay Rights Are Human Rights.' You need to look no further to fully understand the vitriol against the church. In Still Time to Care, you will be discouraged by the history but encouraged for the future. Greg Johnson provides answers and solutions. We have a chance to make things right, upholding God's view of sexuality in a way God wants us to do it.'-- Caleb Kaltenbach, bestselling author, Messy Grace and Messy Truth

'In the suffocating quagmire of the church's debates about same-sex sexuality, Greg Johnson's Still Time to Care is a breath of fresh air. While Johnson unflinchingly documents the failures of the ex-gay movement of the 1980s and '90s, he also defends a traditional sexual ethic and articulates a 'paradigm of care' to counter the 'paradigm of cure' that has harmed so many people. Drawing deeply from history, evangelical leaders, and Scripture, Johnson articulates a way forward for sexual minorities and those who love them. Winsome, intelligent, personal, and warm, this book is important and profoundly needed. I want everyone I know to read it.'-- Tish Harrison Warren, Anglican priest; author, Liturgy of the Ordinary and Prayer in the Night

'In this eye-opening historical account, Greg Johnson paints a charitable yet harrowing portrait of the ex-gay movement and its residual influence on Western evangelicalism. Better still, he reminds us of the world that existed before the ex-gay movement, a world in which following Jesus and pursuing orientation change were never treated as synonymous. Reading this book has deepened both my sorrow over the past and my unswerving hope for the future.'-- Gregory Coles, author, Single, Gay, Christian and No Longer Strangers

'Still Time to Care is a thoughtful and helpful clarion call to Christians. Throughout this book, Greg Johnson takes you on a journey through the church's controversial approach to the unrelenting gay movement. While mistakes were made and adversaries earned, Greg shows the way back to a path and practice that is both God-honoring and people-loving. Caring for others--it is always the Jesus way.'-- Kyle Idleman, bestselling author, Not a Fan and Don't Give Up

'This book is a lament for an evangelical road not taken. When it came to the pastoral care of lesbian and gay people, rather than heed the wisdom of their own leading lights like John Stott and Francis Schaeffer, many evangelicals opted instead for sexual orientation change efforts and in the process left a legacy of pain and confusion that haunts the movement to this day. But this book is also a clarion call from a prophetic insider who believes that evangelicalism can change. Anyone wanting to understand better the current evangelical debates around sexuality--from 'ex-gay' ministries, to 'Side B gay Christians, ' to 'mixed-orientation marriages'--should read this book and consider the costly and courageous witness of its author.'-- Wesley Hill, author, Washed and Waiting and Spiritual Friendship

'This fascinating book gives a thorough and enlightening account of how the evangelical church has historically mishandled and hurt gay and lesbian Christians. The damage done over the last forty years is eye opening. While defending the orthodox biblical sexual ethic, Greg Johnson lays out a healthy path forward for the church regarding the LGBTQ community that is both biblical and pastoral. Every Christian (especially leaders in the church) needs to read this book to better understand this nuanced and complex issue.'-- Becket Cook, author, A Change of Affection: A Gay Man's Incredible Story of Redemption; host, The Becket Cook Show

'This is a much-needed book for our times. In a refreshing, deeply thoughtful, and engaging style, this celibate pastor shares his experience of living in the tides of secular and evangelical Christian thought, language, and behavior in relation to homosexuality over the last forty years. Here is a strong challenge to Christians to reflect deeply on how we have drifted away from a truly biblical approach. Johnson calls the church back to a more compassionate life of family/community to love and encourage those who are celibate for any reason. You will not regret taking the time to have your understanding and attitude transformed by grappling with the vital issues in this well-researched and excellent book.'-- Richard Winter, Professor Emeritus of Counseling, Covenant Theological Seminary