Spring 2026 Newsletter
This Redeemed Seasons newsletter is going to look a little different from what you’ve seen in the past. Like many non-profits, we are experiencing the challenges that come with difficult economic times, and in response, we are working hard to “shrink our financial footprint” – a fancy way of saying we’re trimming our operating costs. One opportunity to steward our resources more effectively is to turn from specialized software for some of our mailings and let the old word processing package do the bulk of the work. We trust you will still find the content engaging, even if the newsletter is a little less “pretty.”
Intentional Confusion of Conversion Therapy
You may have seen the recent ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court, finding that a Colorado law outlawing something called “Conversion Therapy” for minors is an infringement on the Constitutional right of free speech. The likely outcome of this decision is that “Conversion Therapy” laws, adopted in about half the states in the US, will be invalidated due to the illegal infringement of free speech rights of counselors, therapists, and other care givers.
What is conversion therapy?
"Conversion therapy" was the title originally given to a set of extreme practices used by a few to "cure" men and women who experienced same-sex attraction or gender dysphoria. Stories of individuals being subjected to aversion therapy, shock therapy, physical and verbal abuse in order to change their sexual attractions or gender identity fueled efforts in state legislatures to prohibit these practices. The consensus among clinicians was practically universal that such extreme “treatments” were ineffective, unethical, and damaging to the patient. As these laws were proposed and debated, the term “Conversion Therapy” came into the public awareness, and this was the definition most people understood.
Unfortunately, as these proposed laws progressed through the legislative process, the definitions written into the various statutes were not limited to just the harmful activities described above. Instead, the legal definitions were broadened by LGBTQ advocates to include any practice, even just simple conversation, that sought to change or impact a person’s sexual behaviors, attractions or gender expression. It was this broadened definition of “Conversion Therapy” and its reach into the realm of government-approved and government-disapproved words and ideas that the Court had issue with.
Why should we care?
To understand why we should care, we need only look to our northern neighbor, Canada. In that country, it is illegal for counselors, therapists, and even clergy to provide care and support to individuals who experience unwanted same-sex attraction or gender dysphoria. The only approved mode of "treatment" in Canada is to affirm that individual's LGBTQ identity. Any effort to help align the patient's experience and attractions with their deeply held Christian beliefs can result in hefty fines and even jail time. Canadian Christians who experience sexual brokenness have nowhere to turn for help.
In the US, "conversion therapy" bans, especially for minors, exist in nearly half the states. In those states, a young person who believes in Jesus and the authority of Scripture cannot seek help from a counselor or therapist to align his or her sexuality and behavioral choices with their Christian faith. The practical effect of the laws impacts even adults who experience unwanted same-sex attraction or gender dysphoria. The laws have had a chilling effect on counselors and therapists, creating heavy risks to their licensing if they work in this arena. Like in Canada, many who struggle, especially Christians, have had nowhere to turn.
Our hope and prayer is that the Supreme Court decision, based as it is on the fundamental freedom of expression, will eliminate the legal barriers to care in every single state of the Union. We pray that an informed public will impact future legislative processes to assure that appropriate definitions of "conversion therapy" are written into the law, so caregivers and counselors are free to help patients meet their personal and faith-informed goals for their mental and emotional health.
Does Redeemed Seasons practice Conversion Therapy?
In a word, NO! Not under the original definition, and not under the expanded definition.
We don’t seek to change anything in our clients. Change is the domain of the Holy Spirit. It is Jesus who transforms the heart and the lives of every believer.
At Redeemed Seasons and in all our spiritual direction and soul care work, we simply walk alongside our clients, as companions, in their journey of healing and transformation with Jesus. We share with our clients the wisdom and the power of Scripture and the historical teachings of Jesus' Church. We practice and experience the scope and depth of relationship that comes through prayer and worship. And we remind and remember that only Jesus knows how the healing, the freedom, the peace and the love He promises will manifest in the life of a particular man or woman.
Jesus is in charge. He decides which feelings and attractions go away, and which remain. He has given us Scripture – to help us understand his call on our lives, to embrace our identity in Christ, and to stay between the guardrails He has established for our lives as believers. Our role at Redeemed Seasons is to accompany men and women in their journey with their Lord and to be an encouragement and a support in the challenges and victories, in the stumbles and the glories of living in relationship with God Almighty.
How You Can Help
At Redeemed Seasons, we do not charge for any of the services we provide. We walk with the wounded free of charge. Our ministry provides more than $4,000 per month in services and programs to men and women and families seeking Jesus' healing and freedom.
Would you donate to our ministry, so we can continue to provide hope and healing to those in need?
$75 funds one hour of one-on-one care or spiritual direction.
$100 funds one month of support group access for a family.
$25 funds one month of access to our healing and discipleship videos.
To make your tax-deductible contribution to Redeemed Seasons, please visit our Giving page at https://www.redeemedseasons.org/give.
Grace and peace.
MDS
