Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Week Three- Homosexuality

I have been in the local church preaching most Sundays for about 18 years and in all that time I never preached on homosexuality until this year. Why? Probably the same reason many of us don't talk about this. Certainly, it is a difficult topic to talk about and I think most pastors want to talk about it in a way that is faithful, compassionate, biblical and honest and wonder how to do that--at least I did. You can see what I eventually came to at smumc.com (video June 29, 2009)

What do you think? Have you talked about this in church? How did it go? Were young people part of the conversation?

Nicole
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4 comments:

  1. AnonymousSeptember 8, 2009 at 6:43 PM

    I preached about it two years ago at Mesa Verde UMC on MLK Jr weekend and spoke about how Martin's dream continues in the fight for rights, equality and love of homosexuals. It was powerful. And I was surprised how many people appreciated that I spoke up about it.

    It was hard to move July '08 in an election year when Prop 8 was on the ballot, not because I wasn't brave enough to peach about it, because I didn't want to isolate anyone from the "new preacher." So instead I engaged in small group discussions and was an activist on the streets.

    It is a difficult subject, but if we believe love is at the heart of the gospel, it is clear for me.

    As a youth pastor for 10 years, many (if not most) of the youth I ministered to did not see homosexuality as an issue (and I spent 4 years in Texas!). Many of them did not see how the church could isolate a group of people (much how the church treated African Americans 60 years ago).

    Way to go Nicole for preaching about this. May we all have your courage!

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  2. Pastor Glenn HoskinsSeptember 11, 2009 at 10:20 AM

    When I approach this subject of homosexuality in my sermons, I am very sensitive to the anger, pain, and politics involved. However, the message of Christ is about drawing the circle of community around even those you don't agree with or don't like.

    If you think homosexuality is a sin, fine, but Jesus ate with sinners and invited them into the Kingdom of God and many religious leaders hated Jesus for it. Go and do likewise what Jesus did.

    If you believe homosexuality is just one more expression of intimacy between two consenting people, fine, but Jesus also said pray for those who hate you, love those who persecute you, break bread with your enemies and invite them into the love of God. Go and do likewise.

    Our differences are not going to be solved in one sermon, but isn't there enough grace of God to cover all of us?

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  3. GerrySeptember 14, 2009 at 1:22 PM

    I never ask about someone's sexual orientation. Everyone is treated warmly & lovingly. If they tell me they are gay nothing changes personally. If they advocate social & church policies I don't believe are correct then I will state my opposition and the reasons why. If they advocate social & church policies regarding sexuality that I don't believe are correct I will state my opposition and the reasons why. Now I bet you thought my first statement about social & church policies was in regard to sexual practice, but it wasn't. Just like any other person of sacred worth Gays are more than their sexual orientation/practice. I'm a conservative and I generally promote conservative values & oppose progressive social and church policies in general and specific policies related to sexuality only in a secondary sense. It's not high on my list of things that matter.

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  4. sandie.richardsSeptember 15, 2009 at 9:21 PM

    First, I wish that people wouldn’t automatically assume that someone who accepts homosexuals doesn’t accept biblical authority. I love the Bible, and I love my GLBTQ friends.

    I became a United Methodist because I was invited to church by a Lesbian, and then asked to be in leadership by a Gay Man. Many times along my Christian journey, I have been nurtured and sustained by homosexuals who looked out for me, nurtured me through struggles, and taught me what it means to struggle for healthy relationships and an authentic identity.

    When I speak about this in church, I speak about it as a justice issue, and an issue of love. We have many gay men in our church and so it is just a normal part of our lives together. I wish more GLBTQ people would give us a try, but it's hard to work through the bad press.



    For me, the challenge is to listen patiently and lovingly to people who see Christian and Homosexual as mutually exclusive. I know that most of us are trying to be obedient to God; but to question my commitment to our faith because I think differently about homosexuality is hurtful and reinforces our division.

    I know there are people who completely disagree with my point of view; but my own lived experience informs me. I can’t turn my back on what I know.

    Mostly, I want to provide an open door and listen as best I can, trying to understand where others are coming from. I expect the same-- to be heard and understood as a faithful Christian who is doing my best to obey God.

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