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....

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

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 10 years.
The 1997 Assembly did not make a decision and the 2000 Assembly did not discuss the matter.
In 2003, the 11^th 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).

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.