So. Baptist Convention 2013: 'One Million Men Porn Free' Among Featured Programs at Annual Meeting
To combat the bondage and destruction of pornography that has seeped into millions of American households Pastor Jay Dennis of First Baptist Church at the Mall in Lakeland, Fla., created his own program, "One Million Men Porn Free." He is hopeful that more pastors will fearlessly address the issue after they learn more about it at the Southern Baptist Convention's annual meeting in Houston next week.
Dennis initially shared the program with his 9,000-member congregation in the spring of 2010, and subsequently launched the campaign at a church in Regina, Canada, last year.
"My urgent prayer is that every church in the SBC and every denomination will open the door and start the conversation about the new bubonic plague in the church," Dennis said. "If pastors will start the discussion the people in the churches will follow. As it stands, marriages, families and a man's spiritual leadership are being destroyed and we are virtually keeping silent about it."
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He continued, "I know it's awkward, sensitive and for some, offensive to address, however, pastors must step up to the plate in truth, in love and in grace to say, 'Enough is enough, let's have the discussion.' More than a program, my prayer is that 'Join One Million Men' will be a mighty movement resulting in revival. 'The pure in heart will see God.' If we want to see God work in our lives, marriages, churches and homes, purity has to be practiced."
Recognizing that women also need to be prepared to combat pornography in their marriages and in their children's lives, Dennis led a session for the women in his congregation, titled "What Men Wish Their Wives Knew About Pornography," as well as a parents' session, titled "Protecting Your Child From Sexual Brokenness."
He's also completed two new books to help Christians deal with pornography, one for men and one for women. The women's book will address 50 things Christian women need to know about pornography, and will teach them how to deal with their own struggles with porn.
At the two-day SBC conference next week, Dennis will be speaking at the Women's Missionary Union banquet at the SBC on Monday, with a book signing to follow. He will be sharing the Join 1 Million Men program during the WMU report and the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission report on Tuesday.
In an interview with the CP earlier this year, Dennis emphasized that women should never feel at fault or responsible for their spouse or boyfriend's addiction to pornography because of something they did or didn't do.
"They should not accept responsibility for his choice," he said. "Yes, there are triggers and issues in men's lives that help to create the atmosphere for them to be tempted; however, it's still his responsibility to live a holy life. No wife or girlfriend should tolerate continued pornography use in her man's life. There should be strong boundaries and consequences enforced. She should demand accountability on his part. She should be his strongest prayer warrior, but not become his accountability partner."
The characteristics Dennis suggests one should look for in their accountability partners are those who are "passionate about their relationship with Jesus Christ, passionate about purity, full of truth and grace, and men who can be transparent about their own struggles."
"A woman who is contemplating marrying someone, even though he says he's a Christian, should ask him, 'Do you view pornography?' When we got our women together at the church, I challenged them to ask their husbands, 'Are you struggling with pornography?' These questions have to be asked."
Dennis also believes that communication is essential in order for couples to demonstrate their commitment to purity, and noted that women shouldn't be afraid to monitor their spouse's email, social media accounts, and computer viewing history.
"Women should also regularly ask their husbands how they're doing with their commitment to purity," he said. "Repentance is absolutely necessary on his part, if he has viewed pornography."
Repentance, communication, a commitment to purity and accountability are integral to breaking the bondage of pornography, said Dennis. However, he adds that what is absolutely necessary to overcome an addiction to pornography is trusting in the power of the resurrected Savior, Jesus Christ.
