The church - and homosexuality
Homosexuality is often a divisive issue in church circles with some people supporting the acceptance of homosexuality. However, we believe the Bible is clear on this matter and says that homosexuality is unacceptable...
In some denominations the issue is splitting congregations. Other denominations have accepted homosexuality as normal and are actually moving to ordain homosexuals as ministers. Other denominations are holding on to Biblical truth that says it is wrong.
Some churches have made a distinction between those who have a homosexual 'orientation' and those who engage in physical acts between two people of the same sex.
As Joe Dallas of Exodus said in 1991:
"The debate over homosexuality and the Bible - specifically, whether or not the Bible condemns homosexual acts in all cases - will do no less than rip the body of Christ apart in the next decade. It will force believers to declare, in black and white terms, where they stand on issues of sexuality and Biblical interpretation."
Information about some denominations and homosexuality follows - it mostly addresses the matter of ordination:
Anglican Church
The Anglican Church is currently battling over this issue of homosexuality - including the ordination of homosexuals.
In the USA the Episcopalian Church ordained an active homosexual, Gene Robinson, as a bishop in 2004.
Other sections of the Anglican communion have objected. This was discussed at the official Lambeth Conference in 2008. In the meantime the US Church agreed not to ordain more homosexual bishops prior to the Conference.
2003: Anglican church approves gay bishop
BBC, 3 August 2003. "The Anglican Church in America has voted to approve the appointment of an openly gay bishop Gene Robinson...."
US Anglicans reject gay bishops
BBC, 27 September 2007
Lambeth Conference website - comment on this issue.
2009 - Lesbian elected as a bishop
In November 2009, the Los Angeles diocese of the Episcopalian (Anglican) Church elected a lesbian to be a bishop.
Mary Douglas Glasspool was elected in December 2009 - the appointment now has to be confirmed or rejected by diocesan bishops and diocesan standing committees.
The Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams called on American Anglicans to block the appointment of the lesbian bishop.
Media report: Archbishop of Canterbury calls on Americans to block lesbian bishop's appointment, Daily Mail, 6/12/2009.
Uniting Church in Australia
The Uniting Church has considered the matter of ordaining homosexuals at its national Assemblies over the past 15 years.
The 1997 Assembly did not make a decision and the 2000 Assembly did not discuss the matter.
In 2003, the 11th Assembly passed a motion that allowed individual churches to decide. The Assembly of Confessing Congregations within the Uniting Church in Australia (ACC) says "Resolution 108 has moved the church closer to acceptance of the ordination of practicing homosexual ministers even though this has not been decided as an agreed matter of Church doctrine."
The ACC was formed in July 2006 by combining the Evangelical Members within the Uniting Church in Australia (formed after the 1997 Assembly) and the Reforming Alliance (2003).
Since giving churches the ability to 'decide' a number of practising homosexuals are now ministers in Uniting Churches.
In 2011, two openly homosexual ministers were appointed to churches as the main ministers - with the churches knowing that they were homosexual.
Read media report: Gay ministers show a Uniting front to lead congregations, SMH, 22/8/2011.
Baptist Church in Victoria
In the mid 1990s the Baptist Union of Victoria passed a motion to investigate the question "Should gays be ordained?"
Following a two-year 'investigation', the appointed Task Force presented a motion to the Assembly.
The key Resolution was "That the Baptist Union of Victoria shall not ordain persons who engage in homosexual practice".
This needs to be read very carefully. Understanding what the word 'practice' means is the key. The preamble to the motion affirmed that homosexual 'orientation' was acceptable for ministry and ordination.
The final part of the package of motions stated that Baptist churches are independent and that, if a Baptist church had a practicing homosexual as a minister then that person could not be ordained... The Guideline concluded, "Should a Baptist Church consider the appointment of a sexually active homosexual person to a position of pastoral ministry, it should be aware that such a person would not be eligible to seek denominational ordination."
However, this Guideline allows a church to have a practicing homosexual as a minister with no consequences!
By 2011, a number of Victorian Baptist churches had decided to openly affirm homosexual relationships. One website lists 9 such churches and there are others we know of as well. One church has a practising homosexual as a deacon. The Senior Ministers of at least three of these churches fully support same-sex 'marriage'.
The lecturer in New Testament at the Baptist theological college, Whitley College, Dr Keith Dyer, 'both believes and teaches that homosexuality is acceptable before God'. He was reappointed to the position in May 2009 with the BUV Assembly discussing the matter prior to the vote. Read Baptist minister Murray Campbell's report on this matter.
Church of Sweden
The Lutheran Church of Sweden ordained a lesbian as a bishop in November 2009. This followed on from a decision to support the blessing of same-sex 'marriages' within the church.
Report from Lifesite: Church of Sweden Ordains First Openly Lesbian Bishop, Lifesite, 11/11/2009.
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