The Overcomers Needs Assessment Survey (TONAS) 2003

Results of The Overcomers Needs and Assessment Survey (TONAS) 2003

About this survey

The 2003 TONAS was conducted by WITNESS! Ministries in conjunction with the LifeLines Discipleship Program. To date, it is the first of its kind and scope in assessing ministry needs from those in the church community who stand to benefit most from programs or initiatives geared towards strengthening and encouraging such individuals in their journey to wholeness.

The aim of this survey was to capture the needs of formerly gay black men who are in the overcoming process. The survey was conducted via the internet from October 10 through November 15 with fifty (50) respondents.The self-directed nature of the online survey allowed us to honestly capture information without requiring individuals to reveal identities.. This was a key factor in selecting the methodology for this study. Therefore, we feel the answers reflect truthful beliefs regarding overcoming homosexuality. It is our hope that this information will be utilized by church leaders to establish ministry programs and effectively assist men in dealing with unwanted sexuality issues.

Section I - Data about the respondents

If you had to describe your post-homosexual experience, which term would you most likely choose?

Overcomer

72%

Exgay

Former homosexual 8%

Former gay 0%

Exhomosexual 4%

Other* 10%

*Some responses: "son of God", "a mended vessel", "a work in progress"

What is your age range?

18-20

4.3%

21-25

21.7%

26-30

8.7%

31-35

28.3%

36-up

37%

Are you currently a member of a local church?

Yes

87%

No 13%

What state do you reside in?

6.5% MI

4.3%

8.7% MN 2.2%

4.3% MO

2.2%

2.2% NJ

2.2%

2.2% NY 13%

21.8% NC 2.2%

4.3 OH 6.5%

4.3% SC

2.2%

6.5% TX 2.2%

Armed Forces

2.2%

Section II - Data on personal struggles with same sex attractions

If you are overcoming or have considered overcoming your same gender attractions, what has been the greatest obstacle for you?

Letting go of gay friends 18%

Not having a place to concentrate on overcoming 10%

Fear of rejection by church or family members 20%

Not believing you could be successful 16%

No support/role models by which to pattern yourself 24%

Other* 12%

*Some responses:"I need friends I can be really be totally honest with", "Spiritual attacks...sin within the church", "Believing God could and would do it for me"

What one thing do you feel would help accelerate your healing/recovery?

Being part of a long term live in program (residential housing) 2%

More personal committment 18%

Having a mentor 36%

Understanding the Bible more 6%

Learning how to deal with the reasons I am attracted to other men 32%

*Other 6%

If you consider yourself "delivered", how long have you been out of the "lifestyle"?

1-3 years 73.9%

4-7 years 4.3%

8-12 years 10.9%

13-18 years 2.2%

18 and over 8.7%

Complete the following. I believe homosexality is primarily a...

Spiritual matter 2.2%

Relational matter 17.2%

Demonic 2.2%

All of the above 67.4

Other* 11%

*"spiritual and relational", "mental", "it depends on the individual struggler"

What has been your primary source of gaining information on overcoming homosexuality?

Internet 29.0%

A ministry to homosexuals (Exodus, Witness, etc) 23.0%

Local Church 4.3%

Another major Christian ministry (TD Jakes, Bishop Eddie Long, etc) 4.3%

A friend who has overcome 9.0%

Other* 30.4%

*Some responses: "My own experiences", "My wife and healing", "books and experience", "therapy with the Lord and books", prayer and study of the Word", "IBOC (Ricky Rush)"

In your current state of dealing with homosexuality, how much longer do you think it would take for you to feel like you are no longer "gay"?

6 months to a year 24%

1-3 years 32%

3-5 years 8%

Other* 36%

*Some responses: Ideally 6 months with the right help, but since that is not the case, 1-3 years", "I have been told it might not go away completely, but to take the walk to freedom one day at a time", "I don't feel as though Im gay, but the feelings are there, though the actions are not", I currently do not feel as though I am gay", "when passion for the Lord is more than anything", "I've been trying off and on for 10 years"

Section III - Data on Residential Programs

If you were given the opportunity to be in a residential program, would you accept it?

Yes 34%

No 66%

If your answer was no, why would you reject the offer?

I don't think it's necessary 18%

I think it may cause more sexual problems with the residents 20%

I may not be able to committ to it 4%

It's a good idea, but just not for me 20%

Maybe at a later time 2%

NA (responded yes) 33%

If you were part of a residential living program, what length of time do you feel is sufficient to help you in your recovery?

6 months 46.5%

9 months 7%

12 months 32.5%

Longer than 12 months 14%

If you were part of a residential living program which provided room and board, training and mentoring, which method would you choose to "give back"?

Service options to the organization 41.9%

Small monthly rent payments 41.8%

*Other 16.3%

Some responses: "I would do both", "Pay as much rent as possibly and reccomend it to everyone I know is struggling"

Section IV - The Overcomer and his church

If your local church does not have any specific programs for helping same sex stugglers, would you want to see one in operation?

Yes

82.6%

No 17.4%

Do you feel your local church is helpful to you in your efforts to overcome same gender sexual issues?

Yes 39.4%

No 60.6%

If your pastor invited you to share your testimony openly in church, would you accept?

Yes 53.5%

No 46.5%

In your opinion, what is the greatest reason for the lack of support for men coming out of homosexuality in the black community? Fear/misunderstanding about homosexuality 44%

The black church has internal issues 16%

Men have not adequately demonstrated that they can overcome

this issue 10%

Misunderstanding of the Biblical passages on homosexuality 2%

No public discussions/forums 14%

*Other 14%

*some responses: "Prejudices in the church against those who are earnestly looking for help"

Section V - Miscellaneous Questions

What topics would you like to see covered in a discipleship program?

[listed responses]

regaining manhood

masculinity in the black community

destroying "gay" mentality

sexual maturity

healing of broken relationships

how to work out your own personal deliverance effectively

root causes and overcoming emotional issues

how to find your true identity

body image problems

healthy same sex relationships

history of homosexuality

how to share your testimony without being a stumbling block to others

transitioning to heterosexuality

overcoming guilt

IMPORTANT NOTICES

Please click here if you would like to participate in the 2005 TONAS. Your privacy will be protected and respected.

You are authorized to quote from this survey only if it is credited as follows:

"A WITNESS! Ministries/LifeLines Discipleship Program Joint Survey" Please include links back to the source page of the survey http://www.witnessfortheworld.org/tonas03.html

Click here for the TONAS Analysis and Reccomendations