Willow Creek cuts Exodus ties

Willow Creek Community Church, a megachurch in suburban Chicago, quietly ended its partnership with Exodus International, an "ex-gay" organization.

Willow Creek decided to sever ties with the Florida-based ministry in 2009, Christianity Today reported, but the decision only became public in June. Church officials described the move as a shift in approach rather than a change in belief.

"Willow Creek has a whole host of ministries for people dealing with these issues, and we would never intend for them to feel sidelined," said Susan DeLay, a church spokeswoman.

Alan Chambers, president of Exodus, called the move a "disappointing trend" within some Christian circles.