In 1997, the now defunct ex-gay group Exodus International once held its national conference in that very chapel…
In 1997 I was a Co-Director of Living Hope Ministries, an Exodus International affiliate in Arlington, Texas. Exodus held its annual international conference at Asbury College and Seminary that summer. Yes, the same Asbury where there was a recent revival that went viral everywhere online for about two weeks.
Asbury is out in the middle of absolutely nowhere Kentucky (Wilmore) and has a gorgeous campus.
The only thing I remember about the conference was staying up late at night and making a friend of mine double-over laughing at my impersonation of Yoda saying highly inappropriate things to Luke Skywalker.
I should have known then … ::: sigh :::
I also remember Erwin Lutzer explaining how there is no theological basis for the belief that Satan will rule hell or have any influence over the inhabitants of hell and that Satan has no authority to assign demons to conduct “spiritual warfare.” Of course, that caused raised eyebrows among those who think they know better, but he is right… it does not say that in the bible.
I don’t believe in an eternal hell now, so it doesn’t matter, but… I remember that teaching because it interrupts a significant religious right doctrine.
But I digress…
That said, I also remember the conference’s worship times (before every morning and evening keynote speaker) as transcendent moments where I would have communion with the Divine. I still believe those moments were extraordinary and genuine, not because of Exodus but because the Divine shows up for the individual soul regardless of circumstance or errant beliefs.
I now believe the Divine showed up despite Exodus.
So I do not doubt, but also can’t confirm since I wasn’t there, that the Asbury revival was an authentic worship experience that probably encouraged many who went to worship with the students who led the experience.
Some worship songs are straight-up propaganda or reinforce stereotypes and other negative messages. But many others are pure and honest expressions of prayer and love for the Divine.
At first, singing my heart out during worship sets was the only time I felt comfortable in the church. However, those experiences have solidified (for me) that the Divine is real, loves me, and has a two-way connection.
I no longer experience worship within a church every week, but you may see me singing with Kirk Franklin or other Christian worship leaders on the way to work, messing around in the yard, or exercising. But, of course, I also find the Divine in many secular songs. Does anyone need a pocketful of sunshine?
While I doubt I would be welcome on the Asbury campus or even want to attend any conference they may have (because of their conservative views of scripture), I don’t envy or doubt their worship experience.
There is something magnificent about a voice lifted in a transcendent and beautiful song.
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