Homosexuality and the Church
Notes of a sermon by George Day, preached on 20th July 2008 (with minor updating to December 2008)
Clearly this is a controversial issue facing the church, particularly the Anglican Church, and one that threatens division. It is therefore important to reflect on it carefully.
Where should we start?
With people and who they are, and their experiences, (i.e. not with abstract issues - just as Jesus usually started with people).
Some people find themselves to be “different” - as a young person, or as an adult. Many go through agonies as they realise their position. (The struggle for self-acceptance, rejection by friends, and by many sections of society, and often by the Church).
For some, same-sex desire is expressed in sexual licence. The church rightly declares this sinful, (just as heterosexual licence is equally sinful). But for others, there is the desire for a lasting, faithful relationship, and it is that sort of relationship where the question arises as to whether the church can see it as good and holy.
But some say, cannot those who feel a same-sex attraction be turned round into "normal" heterosexual people? In a few cases, perhaps. But some groups which have tried to do this have come to the conclusion that they were quite wrong, and that they were in fact damaging people. They found what is needed is pastoral support for gays and lesbians, including those in same-sex partnerships. (Similarly, encouraging a gay or lesbian person to enter into a heterosexual marriage, which is sometimes suggested as the answer, is very definitely not helpful).
What has turned this into a potentially church-splitting issue?
TEC (The Episcopal Church, in US) consecrated Gene Robinson as bishop although he was in a sexually-active homosexual partnership. Also in US and Canada, there has been official approval by some bishops of church blessings of gay relationships. This approach has often been coupled with a very theologically liberal approach, and scant regard for those who cannot accept this approach.
On the opposite side, there has been a conservative reaction, with total opposition to all this. Especially from the Anglican Church in Nigeria, Uganda, Rwanda, Sydney, etc. As well as strong objections, several African provinces have ordained bishops in US to minister to those on the conservative side. Result: two opposing sides, with a real risk of splitting the church. Sometimes there are really hostile words and actions from both sides.
The situation here in England:- Jeffrey John was to be made Bishop of Reading although he advocated gay relationships, and was in a (no longer sexually-active) relationship himself. This brought some of the polarisation here. (In the end, he was persuaded to withdraw). By and large, the Church of England is not as split over this issue as TEC is, but there are some quite strident voices on both sides of the issue.
So where are we now?
1.Various meetings of the worldwide Anglican leaders have taken a conservative line, opposed to the ordination of those in sexually-active gay relationships, and opposed to official sanction of blessings for gay relationships. They called for TEC to repent of actions that were splitting the church. On the other hand, these meetings criticised those provinces from outside that have ordained bishops in USA.
2.Various groups are unhappy with this conservative line and are pressing in different ways for change. For example “Changing Attitude”. (I personally can support much of what they are seeking to do, although I think their booklet “Sexual Ethics” is ethically too weak).
3.GAFCON (Global Anglican Future Conference) was held in Jerusalem in June 2008, drawing together conservatives from around the world, both clergy and laity. The good thing is that it did not result in a split, as had been expected, and its final statements were more moderate than some had feared would be the case.
4. Then came the Lambeth Conference - the 10-yearly gathering of Anglican bishops and archbishops from around the world, invited by Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury. Some bishops sadly absented themselves, but for many of those who went it proved a wonderful experience of making deep relationships across the divides. As a result, the Anglican Communion still holds together, and indeed has been strengthened. Various practical steps are to be taken to deal with the continuing differences of opinion.
