A training video and conference hosted by Andy Stanley’s North Point Community Church has reignited debate among evangelicals, with critics accusing Stanley of compromising biblical principles to appease modern cultural norms.
AT A GLANCE
- A leaked training video from Andy Stanley’s church drew criticism for its LGBTQ guidance to youth leaders.
- The “Unconditional Conference” featured affirming speakers despite the church’s stated belief in traditional marriage.
- Evangelical leaders argue Stanley is abandoning scriptural truth for cultural relevance.
- Stanley defends his inclusive approach, sparking a divide over pastoral care vs. biblical fidelity.
- Critics warn the messaging may mislead Christian youth on sexual ethics.
A Controversial Turn at North Point Community Church
Andy Stanley, senior pastor of the Atlanta-area megachurch North Point Community Church, is facing backlash after leaked footage and a recent conference highlighted the church’s approach to LGBTQ inclusion. The controversy centers around the “Unconditional Conference,” a gathering designed to equip Christian parents and leaders ministering to LGBTQ youth. Though organizers claim to offer a “quieter middle” ground, critics argue the event was overtly affirming and incompatible with traditional Christian teachings.
The event was co-hosted by Embracing the Journey, a group founded by Greg and Lynn McDonald, who shifted their stance after their son came out. The conference featured speakers such as Justin Lee and Brian Nietzel—both vocal supporters of LGBTQ inclusion in churches. The event was not live-streamed, a detail some critics viewed as intentional concealment of its affirming agenda.
The “Middle Ground” That Isn’t?
Conference organizer Greg McDonald described the event as “a conference from the quieter middle,” aiming to avoid polarizing extremes. However, all featured speakers reportedly affirmed same-sex relationships, which critics argue contradicts the claim of theological neutrality.
Evangelical scholar Al Mohler criticized the event as “a platform for normalizing the LGBTQ+ revolution while claiming to represent the quieter middle space.” Similarly, Pastor Gary Hamrick called it “a gay-affirming conference,” noting that every speaker supported LGBTQ inclusion.
Stanley, while asserting the church’s belief that “sex is for married people,” appeared to embrace the participation of openly gay Christians in church life without calling for celibacy or doctrinal conformity—an approach many evangelicals argue reflects a theological compromise rather than pastoral compassion.
Watch the leaked training video.
Stanley’s Statements Add Fuel to Fire
The controversy intensified following a statement from Stanley that many saw as elevating the faith of LGBTQ individuals above that of others in the church. “A gay person who still wants to attend church after the way they’ve been treated, I’m telling you, they have more faith than I do,” Stanley said, as quoted by The Roys Report.
Critics argue this kind of rhetoric, while empathetic, risks confusing grace with theological affirmation. In The Christian Post, conservative writer David Hoffman accused Stanley of “total pandering to the dictates of secular pagan American culture.”
What’s at Stake for Youth?
Leaked materials from the conference’s youth leadership training have especially alarmed critics, who claim Stanley’s ministry is prioritizing emotional comfort over scriptural clarity. They argue that presenting affirming theology to young people struggling with identity may lead them further from orthodox Christian teachings rather than anchoring them in them.
The fallout underscores broader tensions within American evangelicalism, particularly as churches navigate cultural shifts around sexuality and inclusion. While some hail Stanley’s approach as a compassionate model for modern ministry, others see it as a troubling departure from biblical orthodoxy that could confuse or mislead the next generation of believers.
As debates continue, North Point’s handling of these issues is likely to serve as a bellwether for similar discussions across evangelical denominations in the coming years.
