Promise Keepers says a prominent Christian university canceled an upcoming event after the men's ministry released a statement on sexuality and gender.
Promise Keepers said Monday it previously booked "Daring Faith" events in multiple cities, including in Nashville, where it was to be held at Belmont University. Belmont's goal is to be the "leading Christ-centered university in the world," according to its website.
Belmont last week canceled the event "after the men's ministry released a statement reaffirming its support for the Biblical, biological, sexual identity of male and female, man and woman, in the context of marriage," Promise Keepers says.
The university "cited a conflict in values," the ministry asserted.
Other Daring Faith events will be held in Houston, Memphis and New York City.
Promise Keepers says it was "surprised by the decision."
"Promise Keepers Chairman of the Board and CEO Ken Harrison reached out to Belmont leadership for a broader conversation about the influence of social norms and popular culture on the values of Christian Institutions," the group noted in a statement. "Promise Keepers is still waiting for a response."
Promise Keepers is one of the more well-known Christian ministries in the United States and has included such speakers as Tony Evans and Francis Chan.
The Daring Faith events will teach men how to "have a clear picture of what being a true follower of Christ looks like and know how to become one," according to the Promise Keepers website.
The statement on sexuality and gender was released toward the end of May in light of Pride Month.
"As fathers, husbands, grandfathers, and young men – we see the dangers of gender ideology and the harm it causes," the statement said. "At Promise Keepers, we affirm that God made human beings in His image to reflect Him. He created male and female with equal worth and dignity – and there was no mistake in that design. (Genesis 1:27; Mark 10:6).
"In our present day, men and women are increasingly confused about their identities. Biological identity has been severed as separate from 'gender identity,' while children across the United States are actively indoctrinated into intense inner turmoil about who they 'really are.'"
The statement said Promise Keepers believes it is "more important than ever to stand up boldly for what we believe as Christians."
The statement includes four affirmations. It said Promise Keepers believes:
- "That true life and joy is found when we reject sin. ('We know that our old self was crucified with Him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.' – Romans 6:6)
- "That gender ideology is an idol of our culture and that, as sin, it is poisonous. ('There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.' – Prov. 14:12; see also Deuteronomy 29:18-19)
- "That marriage is designed by God to be for one man and one woman. (Mark 10:6-9).
- "That Jesus, the Son of God, will forgive our sins if we repent. ('If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.' – 1 John 1:9)
- "That the path of following Jesus Christ is difficult and countercultural, but it is the path of LIFE. ('You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever.' – Psalm 16:11; see 2 John 1:6-9)
"God's Word is very clear on this topic – and we also see the way gender ideology has damaged lives, mutilated bodies, and torn apart families in our own communities," the statement concluded.
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Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
