After 37 years , Exodus International , an organization whose mission was to `` help '' gay Christians become straight , is shutting down . But not before issuing an apology . `` We 're not negating the ways God used Exodus to positively affect thousands of people , but a new generation of Christians is looking for change -- and they want to be heard , '' Tony Moore , an Exodus board member , said Wednesday . The announcement comes less than a day after Exodus issued a wide-ranging apology to the gay community for `` years of undue judgment by the organization and the Christian Church as a whole , '' a statement from the group says . `` Exodus is an institution in the conservative Christian world , but we 've ceased to be a living , breathing organism , '' said Alan Chambers , the president of Exodus . `` For quite some time , we 've been imprisoned in a worldview that 's neither honoring toward our fellow human beings , nor biblical . '' Chambers , who has a wife and children and previously identified as gay , has acknowledged that he has `` ongoing same-sex attractions . '' Granderson : Oops , I left my sexual orientation at home . `` It is strange to be someone who has both been hurt by the Church 's treatment of the LGBTQ community , and also to be someone who must apologize for being part of the very system of ignorance that perpetuated that hurt , '' Chambers said . `` Today it is as if I 've just woken up to a greater sense of how painful it is to be a sinner in the hands of an angry church . '' LGBTQ stands for lesbian , gay , bisexual , transgender and questioning . California law banning gay 'conversion therapy ' put on hold . New focus on a therapy . Exodus , which has promoted `` freedom from homosexuality through the power of Jesus Christ , '' has de-emphasized conversion therapy in recent years as more of the counselors in its network have abandoned the practice . The American Psychological Association defines conversion therapy as aimed at changing sexual orientation , but adopted a resolution in 2009 condemning the practice . In it , the organization said `` mental health professionals should avoid telling clients that they can change their sexual orientation through therapy or other treatments . '' But the same resolution also encouraged therapists to consider the religious beliefs of clients who say such beliefs are important to their views of homosexuality . The American Psychiatric Association removed homosexuality from its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in 1975 . But yet with the apology , some things have not changed , according to Chambers . `` I can not apologize for my deeply held biblical beliefs about the boundaries I see in scripture surrounding sex , but I will exercise my beliefs with great care and respect for those who do not share them , '' he said . `` I can not apologize for my beliefs about marriage . But I do not have any desire to fight you on your beliefs or the rights that you seek . '' Conversion therapist : Lawsuit wo n't stop us . A new ministry . With the closing of Exodus International , the board of directors voted to begin a new and separate ministry called Reduce Fear . `` This is a new season of ministry , to a new generation , '' Chambers said . `` Our goals are to reduce fear , and come alongside churches to become safe , welcoming and mutually transforming communities . '' It 's meant to align with Jesus ' New Testament message found in John 13:34 -- `` A new command I give you : Love one another . As I have loved you , so you must love one another . '' `` From a Judeo-Christian perspective , gay , straight or otherwise , we 're all prodigal sons and daughters , '' Chambers said . `` Exodus International is the prodigal 's older brother , trying to impose its will on God 's promises , and make judgments on who 's worthy of His Kingdom . `` God is calling us to be the Father -- to welcome everyone , to love unhindered . '' Gay men sue counselors who promised to make them straight .
Exodus International promoted `` freedom from homosexuality '' through `` power of Jesus Christ '' I 'm sorry for `` being part of the very system of ignorance that perpetuated '' hurt , leader says . Score: 7 Gay community has been subjected to `` years of undue judgment '' by the group . The Exodus board of directors votes to launch a new ministry called Reduce Fear .