Eastern North Dakota Synod

» Download the resource sheet: Talking Together About Homosexuality (download pdf file)

Updated November 19, 2009

One of the most difficult faith issues of our day centers on matters of sexuality and our differing perspectives. Trying to determine exactly what it means to welcome gay and lesbian people to full participation in the life of our congregations continues to be a challenge for us. We have asked for discerning conversation within the church and called for an end to discrimination, assault, and harassment of homosexual persons. But questions related to leadership issues of ordination as well as blessings for same-sex unions remain. How will we as Christians continue to grapple with these complicated issues of human sexuality? How can we be faithful, compassionate, gracious as we wrestle with the place of homosexual persons in the community of faith?

This collection of resources includes materials that reflect the church’s ongoing conversation. It is meant to further productive dialogue. This is by no means a comprehensive list. It is one of many compilations of thoughtful resources. Our hope is that these materials will contribute to understanding and insight. As we continue to work toward a satisfactory policy for including gay and lesbian persons in the life of the church, we invite our congregations to pray for discernment and to use the many resources meant to help address this issue confronting both church and society. Then perhaps we can begin to move beyond divisiveness and politically correct ideologies (whatever they are) to talk about human faces and about justice for and reconciliation with all God’s people.

Featured Resources:

• The Blue Book – What We Wish We Had Known: Breaking the Silence, Moving Toward Understanding
• Congregational Hospitality to Gay and Lesbian People: Resources for Congregations
• Congregations Talking About Homosexuality by Beth Ann Gaede
• Now the Silence Breaks: Toward A Pastoral Understanding of Homosexuality
• Beyond the Bible: Parents, Families and Friends Talk About Religion and Homosexuality
• When Christians Disagree by Harvey and Lois Seifert
• “My Journey Isn’t Over” by Gwen Sayler
• “Sexuality in Ministry” – Spring 2001 issue of dialog: A Journal of Theology
• “Same Gender Unions? Ordination?”
• Bishop’s Pastoral Letter on Resolution #1: The Recognition and Blessing of Relationships by Peter Rogness
• A Call for Dialog: Gay and Lesbian Christians and the Ministry of the Church
• I Belong by Janet Blair
• Sexuality and the Sacred: Sources for Theological Reflection edited by James B. Nelson and Sandra P. Longfellow
• “There is Almost No Justice for Homosexuals in Christianity” by Clark Morphew
• Breaking Silence: A Message to Clergy from a Lesbian Lutheran
• Statement to the Conference of Bishops by Jane Ralph and Delaney Dean
• Gay and Lesbian Ministry in the ELCA by Verlyn Smith
• Homosexuality, Science and the “Plain Sense” of Scripture, edited by David L. Balch
• Homosexuality in the Church: Both Sides of the Debate, ed. by Jeffrey Siker
• Homosexuality and the Christian Faith: Questions of Conscience for the Churches edited by Walter Wink
• The Church and the Homosexual by John J. McNeill
• Sexual Fulfillment by Herbert Chilstrom and Lowell Erdahl
• The New Testament and Homosexuality by Robin Scroggs
• Homosexuality and Christian Community edited by Choon-Leong Seow
• Living in Sin: A Bishop Rethinks Human Sexuality by John Shelby Spong
• The Church and Homosexuality: Searching for a Middle Ground by Merton P. Strommen
• Embodiment: An Approach to Sexuality and Christian Theology by James B. Nelson
• Is the Homosexual My Neighbor? Another Christian View by Letha Scanzoni and Virginia Ramey Mollenkott
• Pastoral Care of Gays, Lesbians, and Their Families by David K. Switzer
• Can We Just Talk About It: The Church and Homosexuality (video)
• Call to Witness (video)
• Lutherans Reflect on Human Sexuality (video)
• May We Talk? A Reflection on Human Sexuality (video)
• My Son, My Son (video)
• One Christian’s Journey (video)
• Talking Together as Christians About Homosexuality: A Guide for Congregations (video)
• Water on the Desert Road: Acts 8 and Unauthorized Ministries with Barbara Lundblad (video)

Featured Links:

• ELCA Journey Together Faithfully (external link)
• Lutherans Concerned / North America (external link)
• The Leaven Center (external link)
• Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (external link)
• Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (external link)
• National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (external link)

Recent Additions:

Added November 19, 2009

• Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust Social Statement (external link) adopted at the 2009 Churchwide Assembly
• ELCA Ministry Policies (external link)
  This page provides the ELCA’s current ministry policies and information on the process for implementing changes in ministry policies mandated by the 2009 Churchwide Assembly.
• Reflections on the ELCA Churchwide Assembly and the Bible (external link) by Timothy Wengert
• Frequently Asked Questions about the 2009 Churchwide Assembly (external link) actions regarding human sexuality
• Beyond the Bible and Homosexuality: A Journey into the Heart of God
  A presentation at Seminary of the Prairie by the Rev. Steven Kindle (Open Files, 2004)
• The ELCA in Dialogue: We Need to Talk (VT2482)
  Dialogue, stories and experiences of individuals and families from the Red River Valley of ND and MN. Copies may be ordered from dialoguevideo@yahoo.com
• For the Bible Tells Me So (DVD272)
  This award-winning documentary addresses questions of homosexuality and Biblical scripture. It deals with questions like “is the chasm separating Christianity from gay and lesbian persons too wide to cross?” and “does God condemn loving homosexual relationships?” It offers stories and experiences of healing, clarity, and understanding to anyone “caught in the cross hairs of scripture and sexual identity.
• What Does This Mean? A Lutheran Way of Approaching Scripture, the Christian Faith, and 2009 ELCA Decisions
  A PowerPoint presentation prepared by synod leaders, Shar Gumke and Rich Fitzer, for congregations discussing the actions of the 2009 Churchwide Assembly. DVD includes PP, sexuality documents, and Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson’s presentations. (Open Files)
• Homosexuality: Perspectives for the Church (DVD4)
  These four perspectives reflect conservative notions of issues related to sexuality including what presenters call “the pseudo-identity of homosexuality.” It supports therapy to change sexual orientation.
• Listening to the Spirit: A Handbook for Discernment (B3654)
  Presents a process of discernment for guidance in considering the question, “what is the gospel message to our church as we relate to gay and lesbian Christians?”
• And God Loves Each One (PR1011)
  A resource for dialogue about sexual orientation.
• “Is the Homosexual My Neighbor?” (external link)
  An article by Tony and Peggy Campolo
• Made in God’s Image (PR1012)
  A resource for dialogue about the church and gender differences.
• What Do You Say When Someone You Love Says, I’m Gay? (VT2309)
  A father, pastor and bishop discusses the issue of homosexuality and the struggle in church and society to make sense of the issue.
• Dealing with Tough Issues as Christians (VT2283)
  Demonstrates a process for helping people discuss tough controversial issues honestly and without fear. Part two focuses on homosexuality. Guide.
• Taking a New Look: Why Congregations Need LGBT Members (B3655)
  Invites congregations to welcome and affirm gender differences, helping members see the blessings differently gendered persons bring to the church.
• Greater Milwaukee Synod Sexuality Discussion (VT2416)
  This three part presentation includes helpful reflections on various aspects of homosexuality and the role of the church. Speakers include former bishops, John Beem and Herbert Chilstrom and Drs. Gordon Lathrop and Bruce Malchow.
• As My Own Soul: The Blessing of Same Gender Marriage by Chris Glaser (Seabury Books)