Chip and Joanna Gaines and the quiet drift of the church

Chip and Joanna Gaines are a husband-and-wife duo best known for their hit series Fixer Upper, where they combined home renovation with warm, family-centered storytelling to win over audiences across North America. Their shows—especially through Magnolia Network—have resonated deeply, especially with Christian viewers, offering wholesome, values-driven content that many feel comfortable watching with their families.

When the Gaineses launched their new show Back to the Frontier earlier this year, many Christians expected the same kind of faith-friendly programming the couple has long been known for. The reality series follows three modern families as they give up contemporary conveniences to live like 1880s pioneers, testing their resilience, faith, and relationships in a rugged, off-the-grid environment. So it was surprising—and for many, disappointing—when the show quietly included a same-sex couple raising twin sons as one of the families, without any theological framing, conversation, or acknowledgment that this portrayal runs counter to historic Christian teaching.

The Gaineses have never positioned themselves as preachers, but their brand and platform have long reflected traditional values that resonate with many believers. For them to normalize same-sex relationships—without clarification—feels like more than just a casting decision. It signals a growing trend in the church: drifting from biblical truth not through loud rejection, but through quiet surrender.

As someone who experiences same-sex attraction myself—and who leads a ministry that helps others navigate that reality while remaining faithful to God’s Word—I believe this moment says something important about where the church is heading. And it’s not a direction we should take lightly.

I’m Same-Sex Attracted—and I Still Believe in God’s Design for Marriage

I’ve been open for years about my story. I experience same-sex attraction. I didn’t choose these desires, but I have chosen to submit them to the lordship of Jesus Christ.

For almost forty years, I’ve held to the conviction—rooted in Scripture, not culture—that God designed sexual intimacy for the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman. That conviction has come with its challenges for sure, but it’s also led me to deep joy, peace, and purpose. For me and many others, Jesus has been worth it!

I mention this so you know I’m not speaking as an outsider looking in; rather, I’m writing as someone who knows this conversation from the inside—and who longs to see the church stay faithful to the truth, even in a world that’s constantly shifting.

When Silence Speaks Loudly

Chip and Joanna Gaines have long been admired for the way they’ve integrated faith into their public life—quietly, respectfully, but clearly. That’s why their decision to feature a same-sex couple on Back to the Frontier—without so much as acknowledging the moral tension—has caused concern.

Chip’s only public response so far has emphasized compassion over judgment. And compassion is important. But biblical compassion never affirms what God calls sin. Compassion that stays silent in the face of sin isn’t compassion—it’s compromise.

Scripture Is Not Vague on This

Let’s not pretend the Bible is unclear. From Genesis to Revelation, the sexual ethic God gives us is consistent and intentional. God created sex to be enjoyed within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman (Genesis 2:24). Same-sex sexual behavior is repeatedly described in Scripture as sin (Romans 1:26–27; 1 Corinthians 6:9–11; 1 Timothy 1:10).

This is not about targeting one kind of sin. The gospel levels the ground for all of us—we are all in desperate need of God’s grace. But grace doesn’t rewrite what God has said. It empowers us to live faithfully despite our struggles.

The cultural narrative says, “To love someone, you must affirm their choices.” But Jesus didn’t operate like that. He welcomed sinners and called them to repentance (John 8:11). Real love tells the truth.

The Soft Drift Is Real

What’s happening in the church today isn’t loud rebellion—it’s a soft drift. It’s the slow erosion of conviction through silence and compromise. It is leaders quietly removing uncomfortable truths because they fear losing influence. It’s churches choosing cultural relevance over scriptural faithfulness.

And make no mistake: silence is not neutral. It shapes the next generation. When Christian leaders and influencers normalize same-sex relationships—even subtly—it has a discipling effect. Our silence now will become their confusion later.

What the Church Must Do

As a part of the Restoration Movement family of churches that has historically called people back to the authority of Scripture, I believe that call is as urgent today as it’s ever been.

Here’s what the church must do now:

1. Speak clearly where Scripture speaks clearly. Don’t hedge. Don’t water it down. Don’t avoid the topic because it’s uncomfortable.

2. Love people well—but with truth. We must welcome and lovingly walk with people who experience same-sex attraction (like me). But we can’t affirm what God calls sin.

3. Disciple the next generation courageously. Teach them that Jesus is Lord of everything—including our sexuality. Show them that holiness is possible (regardless of attraction or feelings) and is worth pursuing.

4. Support those who choose faithfulness. There are many of us—same-sex attracted Christians of all demographics—choosing celibacy or biblical marriage. We need the church’s encouragement, not systematic avoidance or complete silence.

Jesus Is Still Lord

I’m not interested in bashing Chip and Joanna Gaines. I’m not suggesting we boycott anyone or cancel anything. It’s not about that. But I am saying this: the church must not follow their example on this issue. We cannot afford to be quiet, vague, or passive.

We’re not just dealing with a media moment—we’re facing a defining issue of faithfulness in our generation.

I’ve spent decades walking the road of following God’s plan for intimacy—and helping others do the same. I know firsthand how difficult it can be to stay on this path, especially when everything inside you cries out, “This is what you were made for,” while your faith insists that those attractions and desires are not compatible with God’s ultimate design for human sexuality.

But I also know that God’s plan is good. Jesus never promised that following Him would be easy, but He did promise joy, peace, and eternal reward for those who walk in His ways. After more than forty years of faithfully (not perfectly) following Christ’s plan for my life, I can testify to this: Jesus has met my emotional and relational needs in ways that homosexuality—or anything else—never could.

When Back to the Frontier launched, many Christians expected the same faith-infused values; what we got instead was a quiet shift—a soft drift that mirrors the broader one happening in the church today.

If we want to remain faithful in a culture that rewards compromise, we’ll need more than good intentions—we’ll need clarity, courage, and conviction. The road may be narrow and difficult, but it’s still the one that leads to life.

Let’s stay on it.

Guy Hammond

This article was originally published at Renew.org, used with author's permission.

Guy Hammond started Strength in Weakness ministry which has helped thousands in 58 countries. He has taught over 100,000 people in churches, universities and faith based groups globally, has written 6 books and had a documentary movie made about his life and ministry called Finding Guy. Before becoming a Christian, Guy lived an active gay life until he was 24 years old. After becoming a Christian, he left that life behind forever. Guy is a news junkie, loves anything political, loves to read, and is an avid hockey and baseball fan.