Keith Green, Last Days Ministries, Sy Rogers and homosexuality
Former Last Days Ministries (LDM) leaders Tracey Arden and Sharon Madere (https://linktr.ee/cultsister) invite LGBTQ leader, Anthony Venn-Brown, to join them to discuss the devastating impacts LDM and Sy Rogers had on millions of LGBTQ people around the world.
“It’s hard to put into words how profoundly moving and revelatory these 3 episodes were. Thank you .” Justin
“I really recommend this. I’ve just listened to Part 1. It’s an excellent discussion about the roots of fundamentalist antagonism to homosexuality from the 1980s on, eye-opening, jaw-dropping and often hilarious. Can’t wait for the other parts to drop!” Kim
“I’m finishing listening to this right now. I’m crying Despite my tears, this was so good! Thank you!” Dean
Nope, NOT Okay!!! Part 1 – We Renounce Our Last Days Ministries’ Attack on Gays, with Guest Anthony Venn-Brown
Former Last Days Ministries leaders, Tracey and Sharon, talk about their involvement and particularly the 1984, I‘m Gay- OK?, newsletter, which focused on the gay issue and launched Sy Rogers’ international ministry. His dramatic testimonial, Man in the Mirror, was also reproduced as a tract, and distributed to millions globally. Unless you were in Christian circles at that time, it would be hard to comprehend just how influential Keith’s ministry and music were; but it was enormous.
It is not uncommon for LGBTQ people from certain Christian backgrounds to have experienced years of self-hatred and self-loathing. In this podcast, we identify the source.
“You must learn to hate, despise, crucify and mortify your flesh. You must learn to look into a mirror and honestly say, “My body, my flesh, is worthless, worm-eaten, and full of decay and death!” Cultivate a shame for your nakedness.” David Wilkerson advised a young gay man who reached out to him for help.
WOW, WOW, WOW! What a blast from the past! NOT I was on that mailing list and received that drivel. Even the publications after Keith died. Plus Exodus BS. Unfortunately, I can’t listen to Keith’s music anymore which used to fill me. I remember thinking what a failure I was because I couldn’t have the joy Keith did because I am queer. Which I am sure was not the intent. All of my original sources were caught in a flood and mildewed-how appropriate.
Grateful for the continued enlightenment. I hear the sincerity in the voices.
Generational misinformation and deconstruction is a life long journey. However, the damage can’t be undone. The UMC is just now coming around. But all of this doesn’t give any kind of reparation. Just a sorry-we goofed. But then-what can be said or done to right the wrong. Not a damn thing.
there are two more episodes to come
These three podcasts have been so wonderful to listen to. Thank you Anthony and the Feet of Clay Cult Sisters!
During my AOG teen years in Sydney in the early 90s, Kieth Green was our idol. Some of our youth leaders had often quoted the likes of David Wilkerson and Winkie Pratney and had been involved in YWAM, so they often taught the same extreme “death to self” theology, which as a queer kid felt doubly relevant at the time.
Then during my ex-gay phase at Liberty Christian Ministries, Sy Rogers was of course the guru whose videos we had to watch each week. He also spoke at my church (North Shore CLC) around that time. Which was enlightening: I got complete showman, charlatan vibes…which is saying a lot seeing as Pentecostalism meant I was being fed a weekly diet of showmen and charlatans.
So thank you Anthony for the truths you shared about Sy in ep3 of the podcast. If he hadn’t been singularly responsible for the pain, suffering and suicide of so many beautiful people, I would have some sympathy for the tortured life he lived. But the fact is, his enormous ego, tied up in the “change is possible” lies he spent a lifetime cultivating, within the Pentecostal culture of venerating big egos, prevented him from acknowledging his wrong doing.
thanks so much for listening and sharing your personal experiences and insights here. Sorry for the delay in approving your comment
Talk about stirring up the pot of my past…these episodes took me back to so many names and teachings from the 70’s and 80’s that were so, sadly, formative in my young, impressionable christian life. I absolutely LOVED Keith Green. For anyone wondering why so many christians are so anti-gay, WE WERE TAUGHT TO BE. It truly was like a military assault mission.
Context: I left christianity in recent years over the gay issue specifically. I’m straight, but it became so obvious to me how wrong the church has been on this subject that I could not remain complicit.
These episodes reminded me of the origins of my ignorance about queer folk. I remember the names, I remember the tracts, I remember the fear-mongering, I remember the self-righteousness I felt when I “took a stand” against precious people and their evil lifestyles, I remember not even being sure if gays were human. It sickens me that I believed all that crap I learned from the church. “I’m sorry” seems an inadequate response to the unimaginable harm that has been brought to queer people in the name of a loving god by well-meaning, ignorant christians. Sigh.
Thankfully I woke up and got out. And it has subsequently been people like Anthony Venn-Brown who have graciously and patiently taught me, after too many years in homophobic arrogant religion, what it looks like to love like the Jesus I used to claim to know. I’ve got a long way to go, but I’m so grateful to god, if there is one, for queerfolk. Praise the Lord! LOL
Anthony, you are a gem and a treasure. I hope that many people listen to these podcasts and realize how truly horrible the church has been to your people. And by extension what a miracle it is that you have survived., and THRIVED. Thank you for your honesty, for your vulnerability , for your perseverance, and most of all, for your kindness. I’m so glad you’ve decided to hang around a while longer. xo Betsy
Thanks for your kind words Betsy and sharing about your important journey from ignorance and judgment to love and acceptance. I feel privileged to have been a part of it. ☺️