One of the things that has been very hard for me in this whole sexuality issue in the ELCA is the false dichotomy that seems to exist...you either support ordination of non-celibate homosexuals and the blessing of same sex unions or you don't care about homosexuals, or hate homosexuals or, gasp! - you are homophobic....
What should the relationship be between the Church and homosexuals? Probably about the same as it is with other sinners, don't you think?
How does the church help homosexuals and their families and friends?
I found an excellent Seventh Day Adventist site that seems to address this issue quite well. Click on the title and check it out. Tell me what you think!
---Katie
1 comment:
Katie asked what the relationship should be between the church and homosexuals. I would rephrase that slightly to "What should the church's response be to those who struggle with desires for and practice of same-sex behavior?" I only qualify because so much of the time we forget that we really are talking about disorderd sexual think, desires, and action...sinful stuff.
I would say that in the broad sense the pastoral response will be no different than how we respond to other sins of thought, word, and deed. We don't condone the sin. We apply law and gospel. We help the person come to repentance, the forgiveness of sins, and find redemption for their lives through the life,death,and resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord.
In a more precise manner though, I think we need to speak to the person struggling with a disorderd sexual preference in the following way. (I speak with some experience on this matter). If the person is struggling with their sexual preference...they think they are gay or lesbian...I ask if that person has acted on the "urge." If they say no, I tell them to stay the course. Do nothing. The disorder will pass, or will be more likely to pass, if they do not add to their temptation the sin of sexual contact. I then speak to them of the reality of sin, and ask them to clarify what it is they really want from someone of the same gender. Very often they want fellowship and bonding, but their external factors...perhaps bullying from some...and a lack of bonding with the men and women in their own family...and internal factors (with teenagers it is the fact that they want to bond with their fellows at the same time their hormones kick in). I ask folks to tell me what it is they really want.
I must say that as far as I can tell, most young people struggling with their "sexuality" are in fact simply stuck for a moment of time in confusion. It will pass if we support them in standing firm in God's Word, and that means also supporting them in being patient and enduring temptation...waiting on the Lord to straighten it all out. It has been my exprerience that this happens with the right encouragement.
For those actually involved in homosexual sex, the thing to do is call them to repentance, but to do so in such a way that they realize we are speaking about their redemption and their own good, not simply in disgust of their behavior...which is in fact disgusting.
We need to speak clearly about the nature of creation, the nature of their creation, the fact that they can be redeemed from a life that they know to be hell. We also need to create a support system within the church which will encourage them in prayer and fellowship as they learn anew the ways of Christ through the Holy Spirit.
I realize that these things I am saying seem vague. I know there are groups, like Exodus and Courage which are doing such things. We must be active in supporting such groups, offering our churches to such groups, and reaching out.
Finally though, I believe pastors and teachers of the church must speak the truth of sexuality found in the Scriptures. Does that mean we will be blasted from time to time? Yes. Should we care? No. What is more important: Our career as pastors or someone's salvation. I will stand on someone's salvation any day.
Peace in the Lord!
Rob Buechler
Post a Comment