Nazarene Clergy Responses to Homosexuality and Interactions with LGBT People
Nazarene Clergy Responses to Homosexuality and Interactions with LGBT People

Author: Reginald Watson

Publisher: Sacrasage Press

Published: 2023-10

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781958670156

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The Church of the Nazarene claims that homosexuality is a perversion of human sexuality. The denomination and many of its members have also said same-sex sexual acts are sinful and subject to the wrath of God. Most Nazarenes maintain that the "homosexual lifestyle" is sinful and contrary to scripture. And yet the Church of the Nazarene also states that all people should be treated with dignity, grace, and as God's image bearers - regardless of sexual orientation or behavior. And the denomination's theology is grounded in love and acceptance. Nazarene clergy experience tension between the denomination's position on homosexuality and ministering to LGBT people. They want to love and support queer people, but the denomination's statement on human sexuality undermines love. Reginald Watson's qualitative study explores the lived experiences of thirteen Nazarene clergy. It identifies these clergy responses to homosexuality and clergy interactions with LGBT people. In this book, Watson identifies key themes from his study. Those themes affect clergy, the Church of the Nazarene as a denomination, LGBT people, counselor educators, and clinical practitioners. Endorsement: "Reg Watson's work points to the tension many Nazarene clergy feel as they relate with queer people. On the one hand, they want to be loving, empathetic, and affirming. But the denomination's view of queer people in general and same-sex relations in particular works against love. I recommend Reg Watson's book to those who want to take seriously what it means to be a clergy person in a denomination that is not (yet) affirming." Thomas Jay Oord, Co-editor of Why the Church of the Nazarene Should be Fully LGBTQ+ Affirming

Why the Church of the Nazarene Should be Fully LGBTQ+ Affirming
Why the Church of the Nazarene Should be Fully LGBTQ+ Affirming

Author: Thomas Jay Oord

Publisher: SacraSage Press

Published: 2023-05-01

Total Pages: 439

ISBN-13: 1948609959

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This book fundamentally changes the game for the Church of the Nazarene. A growing number of people are calling for fresh conversations about sexuality and gender. And many want fundamental change. This book gives voice to those people. There are strong reasons the Church of the Nazarene should become fully LGBTQ+ affirming. The writers of these essays – whether queer or straight – lay out those reasons, share their experiences, and explain why change is needed. Love rests at the heart of the denomination’s view of God. And yet its statement about human sexuality does not support the ways of love. At least in America, the Church of the Nazarene is rapidly shrinking. Many people are leaving the denomination because of its views on LGBTQ+ matters. According to research, in fact, the holiness movement is the worst at keeping young people. This book offers hope. Hearing the voices of queer people, allies, and scholars is a crucial step toward transformation. For love to win in the Church of the Nazarene, change is needed. ENDORSEMENTS “We Nazarenes have a peculiar origin story. The pioneers of our movement didn't agree. Even where some of the most important tenets of faith are concerned, our founders couldn't and didn't agree. But they prioritized being (and staying) together, in the hopes that what united them would be stronger than what would divide them. In that same spirit of hopeful inclusiveness, these writers dream of a tent large enough to house our differences. May we learn again the power of dignity, inclusion, diversity, breadth, and love.” - Jon Middendorf, Senior Pastor at Oklahoma City First Church of the Nazarene “These essays are the start of a much needed conversation for the church and LGBTQIA+ community. At times they are not easy to read - you may agree with some things and not with others. But the generations coming behind us (some as authors in this book) need us to hear and engage with their hearts. Read them, let their emotion soak in. And then start talking about it!” - Bruce Barnard, Elder in the Church of the Nazarene ABOUT THE EDITORS Thomas Jay Oord is a theologian, philosopher, and scholar of multi-disciplinary studies. Oord has been an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene for more than 30 years, taught at two Nazarene institutions of higher education, and published many books through the denomination’s publishing house. A best-selling author, Oord currently directs doctoral students at Northwind Theological Seminary. Website: thomasjayoord.com Alexa MacKenzie Oord is a graduate of Harvard University and Simmons University. Oord currently serves as an Administrative Assistant in Undergraduate Student Life at Columbia University in New York. She also works as Senior Editor at SacraSage Press. Website: sacrasagepress.com

Compassion without Compromise
Compassion without Compromise

Author: Adam T. Barr

Publisher: Baker Books

Published: 2014-10-14

Total Pages: 163

ISBN-13: 1441264760

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Loving, Biblical Answers on Homosexuality In the next year at least one of these things will happen in your life: • A family member will come out of the closet and expect you to be okay with it. • Your elementary-age child's curriculum will discuss LGBT families. • Your company will talk about building a tolerant workplace for LGBT co-workers. • Your college-age child will tell you your view on homosexuality is bigoted. Are you ready? In their role as pastors, Adam Barr and Ron Citlau have seen how this issue can tear apart families, friendships, and even churches. In this book they combine biblical answers with practical, real-world advice on how to think about and discuss this issue with those you care about. They also tell the story of Ron's personal journey from same-sex attraction and sexual brokenness to healing. Truth does not preclude kindness--and a good dose of humility is necessary to love our neighbors. With sensitivity and winsomeness, this book will offer an honest but inviting message to readers: We are all in need of the healing that can only come from the truth of the gospel.

Face to Face
Face to Face

Author: Jeffrey Heskins

Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing

Published: 2006

Total Pages: 214

ISBN-13: 9780802863034

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"We should listen with the ears of God that we may speak the word of God," Dietrich Bonhoeffer once said. While a lot of ink is spilled debating the place of homosexual Christians in the life of the church, few people take Bonhoeffer's advice. In "Face to Face" Jeffrey Heskins takes a step back from heated rhetoric to listen to Christians who are committed both to ordained ministry in the Anglican Church and to a life of holiness with a partner of the same sex. As Heskins invites these couples to tell their stories and reflects on their experiences, he raises difficult questions: What does it mean to live a "holy life"? Should the pattern for "holy living" be any different for gay and lesbian couples in ministry than for others? Based on more than thirty hours of recorded interviews with couples all across England, this volume heeds Bonhoeffer's words, producing a refreshing instance of Christian hospitality -- listening to brothers and sisters before presuming to speak God's word to them. While "Face to Face" will not end the controversy, these human voices will speak to both sides of this explosive debate. "In trying to lead a holy life, I think that we are responsible for trying to see the effect that it has on others, even beyond the relationship. It is very easy to think about the two of us, but if a life together is lived in holiness, it has enormous impact on those around you." -- Female priest with partner 3 years "When I first met her, I was really angry with God and I found God's maleness and the patriarchy of the church all too much. I stopped going to church. It was my partner who helped me heal from all those open wounds, and if I hadn't healed from them, then I don't think that I could have found God again." -- Female priest with partner 13 years "Where there is love there is God . . . so while living a life of Christian holiness may be difficult to quantify, those who want to make pronouncements or recommendations on what constitutes holy living really do need to go and see people's lives in action. It's the meeting face to face that really is transforming of opinions and attitudes." -- Male priest with partner 32 years

Turning Controversy into Church Ministry
Turning Controversy into Church Ministry

Author: William P. Campbell

Publisher: Zondervan

Published: 2010-09-21

Total Pages: 313

ISBN-13: 0310321352

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One of the most volatile issues facing the Western Church is also one of the least discussed: homosexuality. Many pastors, church members, and congregations have become tired of the debate surrounding this topic but do not really understand the issues. Pulling away from this controversy doesn’t seem to help; it keeps cropping up.Ninety percent of pastors are aware of members or visitors to their churches who struggle with homosexual tendencies, and the same percentage of churchgoers know a relative or friend who wrestles with this concern. The media, school systems, and nearly every sector of society will challenge Christians to give a reasoned response to the escalating gay agenda. For twenty-five years W. P. Campbell has studied and debated this topic as it relates to Christ’s Church. He has come to the conclusion that it will not go away in our generation, but it can be coaxed to find its proper place in any congregation when it is tackled with a firm but loving grip. Homosexuality in the Church is a guidebook to help Christians and whole congregations do just that. It faces the heart of the controversy with the love and compassion of Christ and turns it into effective ministry.Framed by the most significant biblical passages related to homosexuality and supported by science, psychology and sociology, each of the five parts of the book unfold a unique aspect of God’s person and purpose. As our Creator, he has made us to be whole; as our King he has provided laws and guidelines to help us remain that way; as our Redeemer, his power can save us from sin; as our Guide, his light will guide us out; as our Strength, he will make our ministry effective.As a resource for the church today, this book will: • Provide readers with a comprehensive overview of the biblical data about homosexuality • Inform readers about current scientific, psychological, and cultural findings related to same-sex practice • Teach readers Christ-like responses to gay rights activists in the Church and help them to know how to avoid extreme stances about homosexuals and the Church that result in alienating others or in supporting sexual sin • Offer guidelines and tools to church leaders for mobilizing a congregation to study this topic and to engage in ministry to recovering homosexuals

Welcoming But Not Affirming
Welcoming But Not Affirming

Author: Stanley James Grenz

Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press

Published: 1998-01-01

Total Pages: 228

ISBN-13: 9780664257767

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A respected evangelical speaks out on the church's most controversial issue, proposing that it is possible for Christian communities to welcome homosexuals without affirming same-sex unions.

Generous Spaciousness
Generous Spaciousness

Author: Wendy VanderWal-Gritter

Publisher: Brazos Press

Published: 2014-05-13

Total Pages: 288

ISBN-13: 1441245855

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Committed Christians may respond differently to gay and lesbian Christians. How can we engage those with whom we might disagree and navigate our journey together in a way that nurtures unity, hospitality, humility, and justice? Through her extensive experience in ministering to gay and lesbian Christians, Wendy VanderWal-Gritter has come to believe we need a new paradigm for how the church engages those in the sexual minority. She encourages generous spaciousness, a hope-filled, relational way forward for those in turmoil regarding a response to gay and lesbian Christians. This book offers a framework for discussing diversity in a gracious way, showing that the church can be a place that welcomes a variety of perspectives on the complex matter of human sexuality. It also offers practical advice for implementing generous spaciousness in churches and organizations.

The Gay Agenda
The Gay Agenda

Author: Ronnie W. Floyd

Publisher: New Leaf Publishing Group

Published: 2004

Total Pages: 162

ISBN-13: 0892215828

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This balanced, even compassionate look at the greatest cultural struggle of our time will inform, challenge, and lead the way to motivate the traditionalists to confront the world view that these change agents represent.

Transcendent Vocation
Transcendent Vocation

Author: Sarah Maxwell

Publisher: John Hunt Publishing

Published: 2013-03-27

Total Pages: 157

ISBN-13: 1780997191

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Based on detailed analysis of interviews with gay clergymen, and also with retired heterosexual clergymen whose ministries span the period since the 1967 Sexual Offences Act, Transcendent Vocation provides specific examples to back up the contention that the approach of the Church of England to homosexuals has increasingly been characterised by hypocrisy. It considers why gay men wish to work within an organisation that treats them with such negativity, especially now that such discrimination is illegal in secular society. The prime conclusion is that they do so because of their “Transcendent Vocation” – a conviction of having been called to the ministry by God that is so strong that it enables them to transcend all the hypocrisy and negativity that they encounter. ,