WELCOME TO THE
REVOICE FAQ
We’ve created this resource as a warm invitation for those who may be unfamiliar with Revoice or interested in learning more about who we are.
This FAQ is especially for those outside our community who have questions or curiosity about our mission and convictions.
Our hope is that these answers will offer a clear and thoughtful picture of Revoice—how we engage with the world and what we stand for—fostering greater understanding and deeper connection.
At the same time, we recognize that each person in our community has their own unique journey, so this FAQ cannot fully capture the diversity of experiences and perspectives within Revoice.
For a more in-depth look at our shared faith and sexual ethics, we invite you to explore our Statement of Faith and Sexual Ethics & Christian Obedience.
Thank you for taking the time to learn more about us—we’re so glad you’re here!
OVERVIEW & GENERAL TERMINOLOGY
What is the mission of Revoice, and what does the word “revoice” mean?
The mission of Revoice is to support and encourage sexual minorities who uphold the historic Christian sexual ethic–and those who love them–so that the whole Church might flourish. Here is our full mission and vision statement.
The term "revoice" is rooted in the language of music and signifies the refinement of an instrument's sound. To "revoice" an instrument is not to alter its essence but to restore the beauty of the sound it was originally designed to produce. Similarly, we believe that today’s Christian conversations about sexuality would greatly benefit from a "revoicing." We do not believe that the historic Christian doctrine of marriage and sexuality should be changed, but rather, upheld. We hope to see the beauty of God's original design for sexuality clarified and amplified, contributing to the health and flourishing of the entire kingdom of God.
Revoice is an interdenominational, broadly evangelical ministry with roots in a variety of traditions within North American Christianity. We affirm both the Langham Partnership Statement of Faith and the Lausanne Covenant.
What does Revoice mean by the “historic, Christian doctrine of marriage & sexuality”?
The historic Christian doctrine of marriage and sexuality is the belief that God designed marriage to be the lifelong union of one man and one woman, and all sexual behavior is meant to be expressed within the context of this covenant relationship. These convictions emerge from the Christian Scriptures and have been maintained by the majority of Christians worldwide for thousands of years. At Revoice, we interchangeably use the words “historic,” “traditional,” or “orthodox” to describe this longstanding Christian sexual ethic. For a more comprehensive explanation of our beliefs regarding marriage and sexuality, please see our Statement on Sexual Ethics and Christian Obedience.
Additional Resources*
Does the Bible Support Same-Sex Marriage? by Preston Sprinkle
Same-Sex Attraction and the Church by Ed Shaw
What does the phrase “sexual minority” mean?
When we use the phrase “sexual minority,” we are highlighting the reality that some people persistently experience their sexuality differently from the majority. This group includes those who experience same-sex attraction and/or may identify as gay, bisexual, or asexual. The phrase “sexual minority” is also commonly utilized in psychological literature as a neutral, umbrella term to categorize individuals in studies on health, personal development, and social experience. All minority groups have unique challenges and opportunities. Sexual minorities may face many of the same challenges that other minority groups do. These include being misunderstood by the majority; being subject to harmful stereotypes; being feared, neglected, or overlooked; and enduring various forms of both intentional and unintentional discrimination. At Revoice, we believe that recognizing minority groups in the Church, including sexual minorities, helps us love all people better and ensures every person a voice and a valued place in our churches and communities.
Additional Resources*
All But Invisible: Exploring Identity Questions at the Intersection of Faith, Gender & Sexuality by Nate Collins (Zondervan)
NOT TO ALTER ITS ESSENCE
To "revoice" an instrument is
but to restore the beauty of the sound it was originally designed to produce. Similarly, we believe that today’s Christian conversations about sexuality would greatly benefit from a "revoicing."
Is Revoice an “ex-gay” ministry?
No, Revoice is not a reparative or conversion therapy ministry, sometimes also called an “ex-gay” ministry. For reparative ministries and therapies, the hoped-for outcome is to “cure” a gay person by making them “straight.” Said another way, the goal of these approaches is to essentially change a person’s sexual orientation or attractions from homosexual to heterosexual. Sometimes, the goal of sexual orientation change is clearly stated; other times, this goal is an unspoken, implicitly desired byproduct. Moreover, this goal of sexual orientation change can imply either the complete elimination or merely the reduction of same-sex sexual orientation. This approach places a strong emphasis on sexual orientation change as a crucial signifier of success.
To be clear, at Revoice, we do not claim that sexual orientation or attraction never shifts. At times, the Holy Spirit works in miraculous ways. We bless anyone who says that they have experienced a measure of change in sexual orientation. Similarly, we are grateful for any gay or straight individual who, having experienced sexual abuse or struggled with sexual addiction in the past, finds healing and restoration.
At the same time, statistics show that the vast majority of same-sex-attracted people do not undergo a fundamental change in their sexual orientation over the course of their lifetime. Moreover, the expectation of change paired with the failure to achieve it can often lead to debilitating shame. We recognize that all proclivity to lust, whether heterosexual or homosexual, is a form of human brokenness. Any sinful temptation that arises from inappropriate sexual attractions must be resisted in God’s power as we all pursue holiness and nurture dependence on God day by day.
We want to emphasize that Revoice rejoices in God's powerful, dramatic, transformative work among all disciples of Christ, including sexual minority disciples. We also rejoice in extraordinary experiences of everyday transformation and sanctification in the lives of sexual minority disciples that mirror the multifaceted, everyday ways that God works in the lives of straight disciples who faithfully submit their sexuality to the lordship of Christ day by day.
Additional Resources*
Still Time to Care: What We Can Learn from the Church’s Failed Attempt to “Cure” Homosexuality by Greg Johnson (Zondervan)
Article: “I Never Became Straight. Perhaps That Was Never God’s Goal” by Rachel Gilson (Christianity Today)
What do Side A, B, Y, and X mean? Is Revoice a “Side B” ministry?
To understand these terms, we’d like to start with some history. In the early 2000s, a group of gay Christians began a dialogue called Bridges Across the Divide. Participants adopted shorthand terms: those who supported Christian same-sex marriage became known as “Side A,” while those who upheld the historic Christian sexual ethic were called “Side B.” Though the Bridges Across the Divide initiative has ended, the terminology has endured.
An Imprecise Summary of the Four “Sides”
Over the years, the conversation surrounding sexuality has continued to develop, leading to additional categorizations beyond “Side A” and “Side B.” While there is no universal agreement on these terms, the following summary provides a general and imprecise overview. We say “imprecise” because broad diversity continues to exist within each “side”:
“SIDES” SUMMARIES
“Side A”:
Affirms same-sex marriage as consistent with Christian faith and rejects the historic Christian understanding of marriage as only between a man and a woman.
“Side B”:
Rejects same-sex marriage as a biblical definition of marriage, upholding the belief that Scripture defines marriage as between one man and one woman and that all sexual behavior or lust outside this covenant is sinful. They do not focus on orientation change, viewing it as rare, and instead focus on faithfulness to God amid ongoing same-sex attraction. “Side B” Christians may use various terms to describe their experiences (e.g., “LGBTQ+,” “same-sex attracted,” etc.) and tend to understand an individual’s language choices as a matter of Christian freedom and charity.
“Side X”: Rejects same-sex marriage. Generally agrees with “Side Y” but also actively pursues sexual orientation change as a normative expectation in this life for those who experience same-sex attraction. The ultimate goal for same-sex-attracted people is to no longer experience same-sex attraction in this life and/or to become “straight” and experience opposite-sex attraction. Some may identify as “ex-gay.”
“Side Y”:
Rejects same-sex marriage and broadly agrees with “Side B” but avoids identifying with LGBTQ+ terminology. “Side Y” individuals typically prefer the phrase “same-sex attracted” and question or avoid the framing of sexual orientation as an aspect of identity, personhood, or social belonging.
REVOICE’S HEART
With regard to the above definitions, Revoice does align with a “Side B” conviction. However, we tend to avoid officially labeling our ministry as “Side B” for two key reasons:
Broad spectrum within “Side B”: “Side B” is not an organized group with an agreed-on doctrinal statement. Though Side B Christians agree that same-sex sexual behavior is sinful, they differ in their theological interpretations and lived expressions of that conviction.
Unhelpful “sides” language: Framing these differences as “sides” can foster unnecessary antagonism. At Revoice, our heart is to build up the body of Christ in healthy ways.
While we recognize the usefulness of these terms for discussion, Revoice did not create the language of “sides,” and we choose not to major in it. Such categories can promote unnecessary antagonism, and our heart is not to alienate God’s people from one another but to build up the body of Christ in life-giving ways. Instead of emphasizing what “side” we are on, Revoice prefers to point to our statement of sexual ethics and obedience. Our mission is clear: Revoice seeks to encourage all who hold to the historic Christian sexual ethic, fostering faithfulness to Jesus and cultivating community, love, and grace along the way.
Additional Resources*
A War of Loves: The Unexpected Story of a Gay Activist Discovering Jesus by David Bennett (Zondervan; See Chapter 23)
Article: “Side B Christians Like Me are an Asset, Not a Threat” by Bekah Mason (Christianity Today)
Isn’t the historic Christian doctrine of marriage and sexuality oppressive to gay people?
We believe that God’s design for the Christian stewardship of sexuality is inherently good and beautiful for all people, regardless of sexual orientation or marital status.
However, God’s design is not always easy to live out. This is a reality for everyone—whether gay or straight, married or single. All believers are called to surrender their unmet sexual desires to the lordship of Christ, trusting that these longings will ultimately find fulfillment in deep relationship with God and within the community of faith.
We are confident that obedience to God always leads to blessing and life. When Christians steward their sexuality in alignment with God’s will, they open themselves to the rich blessings promised in the gospel. These include the comfort of being fully known and deeply loved, the joy of serving others selflessly, and the safety of belonging to a community where we support one another. In contrast, disobedience—no matter how justifiable it may seem—draws us away from these blessings. It causes harm, leaving us further from the abundant life that Jesus offers to all who follow Him (John 10:10).
It is essential to acknowledge that while the historic Christian understanding of marriage and sexuality is not oppressive to gay people, certain misinterpretations within the Church have obscured the goodness and beauty of God’s plan. For example, many gay or same-sex-attracted Christians in North America have been taught in some church contexts to view their unwanted sexual attractions as evidence of God’s specific wrath or rejection—often based on a misreading of Romans 1. This has led some sexual minorities to embrace the gospel yet feel uniquely disqualified from its promises. This misreading has also led some religious people to justify their mistreatment of gay and same-sex-attracted people, which is unacceptable. We grieve such harmful misunderstandings and false teachings.
The Church has also, at times, obscured God’s goodness through cultural biases. For example, whether intentionally or unintentionally, North American churches often prioritize resources, programs, and support for married couples–sidelining single individuals. This has left many gay Christians feeling as though marriage is the best and only path for experiencing deep, lasting, and meaningful community. Once again, we lament this imbalance and its impact.
At Revoice, we challenge the Church to think creatively and comprehensively about how it can equip all people, regardless of marital status or sexual orientation, to experience the abundant life that God promises in community with other believers. Together, we can ensure that every believer has access to the richness of gospel-centered community and the blessings of living in obedience to Christ.
Additional Resources*
A Better Story: God, Sex and Human Flourishing by Glynn Harrison (InterVarsity Press)
People to Be Loved: Why Homosexuality is Not Just an Issue by Preston Sprinkle (Zondervan)
Tenderness: A Gay Christian’s Guide to Unlearning Rejection and Experiencing God’s Extravagant Love by Eve Tushnet (Ave Maria Press)
ADDITIONAL TOPICS & RESOURCES
Can you help me find a counselor who is sensitive to these matters of sexuality, gender, and Christian faith?
Yes! We’re happy to point you in the direction of counselors who have been effective and helpful to members of our community. While we cannot guarantee positive matches or outcomes, and we do not endorse specific therapists, there are counseling networks that have experience with our movement and have shown sensitivity to the unique needs and concerns of LGBTQ+/SSA Christians who follow a historic sexual ethic. As you look for a counselor, we strongly encourage you to be honest during the intake process, clearly describing what you are and are not looking for.
ONLINE & INTERNATIONAL
Global Counseling Network
My Counseling Online
IN-PERSON, USA
While online counseling may work best for most, we have a limited set of in-person counselors we can recommend nationwide. Please email counseling@revoice.org with the subject line “counseling referral in [city, state],” and a member of our team will let you know if we can recommend anyone in your region.
I am a pastor or ministry leader. Can you recommend resources to help me grow as a leader in these areas?
Absolutely! Revoice dreams of seeing every church and ministry grow as a place where sexual and gender minorities can flourish in life and faith. Here are some recommended resources for pastors and ministry leaders:
Resources*
Grace/Truth 1.0 and Grace/Truth 2.0 by Preston Sprinkle
Guiding Families of LGBT+ Loved Ones by Posture Shift Ministries
Leading a Church in a Time of Sexual Questioning by Bruce Miller
Posture Shift Intensive by Posture Shift Ministries
Ministries*
Center for Faith, Sexuality & Gender
Posture Shift
Sexual & Gender Identity Institute at Wheaton College
Revoice Ministry Leaders Cohort - a 12-month discipleship experience for pastors and ministry leaders
For more resources and to support the ministry of Revoice through your book purchases, please visit the Revoice Bookshop.
*Resource Disclaimer
Please note that Revoice provides these resource lists as a service for individuals seeking to explore these topics further. The inclusion of any resource does not imply full agreement by Revoice with all the content, perspectives, or the author’s broader work. Likewise, the inclusion of a resource does not suggest the author endorses the full scope of Revoice’s ministry. For further resources and to support the ministry of Revoice through your book purchases, please visit the Revoice Bookshop. Thank you for your support!
