Dr. Jane Yang: The LGBTQ Flood is Breaking Church Walls

By GH Newsroom 12 Sep, 2024 13:57 EDT

Head of the Gender and Relational Ministry of Family Keepers International, Dr. Jane Yang (杨符济珍) recently shared in a lecture about the impact of the LGBTQ movement on the church. With recent statistics and data, her lecture raised church awareness and concern over the issue. With years of experience working alongside the LGBTQ community and their families, Dr. Yang is often invited to share and train Christians on related topics in the church, institutions, and seminaries.

In the lecture, Dr. Yang pointed out that the influence of the LGBTQ movement is like a flood, and it has broken through the walls of the church. A 2020 Gallup survey showed that one in six Gen Z adults (those born between 1997 and 2012) identify as LGBTQ, compared with the previous 3.8% among Gen Xers. Dr. Yang stated that more and more young people are now open about their sexuality, with many coming from church backgrounds.

Dr. Yang cited further data from the Public Religion Research Institute’s survey results published by the China Press on January 25, 2024. The survey showed that 28% of adult Gen Zs (ages 18 to 25) identify as LGBTQ, a significant growth from data gathered in 2020. Dr. Yang explained that the data covers gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning/queer people.

Looking at historical data, the percentage of LGBTQ was only 4% for the baby boomers and 7% for Gen Xers. As the older generations fade out of the spotlight, the ratio of young people entering as LGBTQ becomes more and more prominent. This means that Gen Z adults have a different outlook than older Americans. 15% of them are bisexual, 5% are homosexual, and generally speaking, one in five people identify as LGBTQ.

Dr. Yang also talked about how many US states, California included, have already banned giving conversion therapy to minors. Even Christian counselors would risk their license if they were to say their sexuality is a result of depression or anxiety. Rather, they must give affirmative therapy and support the client’s gender identity or sexual orientation.

Facing such an inrush of queerness, the church really needs to pay more attention and understand the LGBTQ community, providing more support and care in shepherding and accompaniment. Dr. Yang’s sharing not only raised the church’s awareness of this demographic, but she also provided specific advice and guidance to both churches and parents, which will be published in follow-up reports.

Survey: Hong Kong teens generally identify with traditional Chinese cultural values

In order an effort to promote traditional Chinese culture, the Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong, in collaboration with Macao YMCA, Guangzhou Suigang'ao Teenagers Institute, and the Teacher Chang Foundation of Taiwan, has conducted a survey on teens measuring their cultural awareness. They found that Hong Kong youths generally identify with and support the values of traditional Chinese culture.
Global Lutherans celebrate Reformation Day, ‘trusting in the power of grace in a merciless time’.
Yesterday, October 31, was Reformation Day, and Lutherans around the world held various events in commemoration. In Singapore, the Lutheran Church advocated for Christian communion, while the German Lutheran Church encouraged believers to face the challenge of “trusting in the power of grace in a merciless time.”
Many American churchgoers expect their pastors’ sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues
American churchgoers are looking for more than biblical explanation from their pastor each week. Many expect the sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues.
2.1M Korean Christians estimated at joint worship service to affirm family, oppose gay marriage, pray for nation
In the afternoon of Reformation Sunday, Oct. 27, some 2.1 million Christians gathered for a joint worship service from 2pm to 5pm in Seoul, Korea to “unite for repentance, revival, and restoration of holiness in our society.” According to organizers, an estimated 1.1 million joined onsite despite the bad weather with another 1 million joining online. The unprecedented joint worship service brought together Korean churches across denominations as they affirmed traditional marriage and family and
Willow Creek Community Church invites believers to write prayer cards for the next president
This past Sunday, Willow Creek Community Church based in Illinois invited believers to “pray for the next president” during the service. The church not only expressed its concern for the upcoming election but also emphasized the role believers should play in the process and the importance of offering prayers for the nation's leaders.

Dr. Jane Yang: The LGBTQ Flood is Breaking Church Walls

Survey: Hong Kong teens generally identify with traditional Chinese cultural values

Many American churchgoers expect their pastors’ sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues American churchgoers are looking for more than biblical explanation from their pastor each week. Many expect the sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues.

Survey: Hong Kong teens generally identify with traditional Chinese cultural values

Global Lutherans celebrate Reformation Day, ‘trusting in the power of grace in a merciless time’.

Many American churchgoers expect their pastors’ sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues

2.1M Korean Christians estimated at joint worship service to affirm family, oppose gay marriage, pray for nation

Many American churchgoers expect their pastors’ sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues
American churchgoers are looking for more than biblical explanation from their pastor each week. Many expect the sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues.