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engage/ social action: Homosexuality
This document is a periodical published by the Board of Church and Society of The United Methodist Church. This issue includes articles, reflections, and columns exploring a range of topics related to homosexuality, social justice, theology, and contemporary challenges faced by the church and society.
This publication serves as a rich resource for understanding the theological debates and social priorities of The United Methodist Church during the late 20th century. It captures the intersection of faith, ethics, and activism, providing valuable insights into how the church navigated controversial and transformative issues in its broader mission. -
Explor - Homosexuality and the Christian, Fall 1975
Explor is a theological journal published by Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. This issue from 1975 delves deeply into the intersection of Christian theology, scripture, history, and pastoral care in relation to homosexuality. This work represents an early effort within Christian academia to engage thoughtfully and critically with the topic of homosexuality, examining it through various disciplinary lenses, including biblical exegesis, historical context, behavioral sciences, and theology.
The journal includes contributions from several scholars, each addressing distinct aspects of the issue. A particularly striking theme is the journal's call for nuanced and compassionate pastoral care. It challenges simplistic labels and encourages a deeper understanding of human sexuality as part of the broader Christian call to love and community. The document also critiques historical Christian teachings that have often reduced sexuality to procreation or condemned it as inherently sinful. Through systematic theological reflection, it proposes a more holistic understanding of human sexuality, rooted in the belief that it is a gift of God meant to foster intimacy and community.
This publication is evidence of the intellectual and theological currents of the mid-1970s within the United Methodist Church and broader Protestant academia. It captures an era when churches and seminaries began to grapple more publicly and rigorously with issues of human sexuality, influenced by the broader cultural movements for civil rights and LGBTQ+ equality. This resource serves as a critical lens into how theological scholarship engaged with one of the most polarizing and evolving issues within modern Christianity. -
Faith and Inclusion: United Methodist General Conference Opens Doors
This article chronicles the historic decisions made at the 2020/2024 UMC General Conference, where delegates voted to lift the ban on gay clergy and same-sex weddings, reversing decades of exclusionary policies. Framed as aligning the church’s actions with its stated values of openness and justice, the decision also included steps toward regionalization, allowing for contextualized policies in response to global cultural differences. This moment marked a transformative shift for the denomination, addressing LGBTQ+ inclusion while also issuing apologies for historical injustices, including systemic sexual misconduct and the church’s role in the 1893 overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy. The article captures a pivotal point in the UMC’s journey toward reconciliation and inclusion, offering insight into its evolving theology and mission. -
Family Life: A Resolution with Study Guide
This pamphlet offers a revised version of the church’s stance on family life, originally adopted in 1976, along with a detailed study guide to facilitate group discussions. The resolution reflects the United Methodist Church’s theological, ethical, and practical approach to family life, emphasizing its importance within Christian ministry and society.
One of the core sections, titled Christian Family Living, examines the sacred nature of family relationships. It highlights marriage as a covenant under God, fostering mutual love, respect, and responsibility. The resolution also addresses the evolving structure of families, affirming diverse family forms such as single-parent families, extended families, and households formed through adoption or foster care. It stresses the importance of supporting faithfulness and moral decision-making within families, acknowledging human imperfections and the need for God’s grace.
The accompanying study guide offers practical tools for group discussions, including session outlines, scripture references, and interactive activities. It encourages participants to reflect on their personal experiences and to explore the resolution’s themes in depth. The guide provides flexibility for various group types, from intergenerational gatherings to youth groups, emphasizing the centrality of family in faith formation and church life. -
Gail Hinand Mailgram
This is a brief correspondence addressed to the president of the Women's Division of the United Methodist Church (UMC). Sent by Gail Hinand, identified as the Director of Empowerment of Women for Church Women United, the message acknowledges and celebrates a decision made by the Women's Division to support a lesbian woman worker. The mailgram emphasizes corporate responsibility to protect the rights of women within the church and commends the division for its progressive stance.
The mailgram serves as a historical artifact capturing the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ inclusion and gender equity within the United Methodist Church during the late 20th century. It documents the efforts of allied organizations, like Church Women United, to support and affirm these changes. The message provides a glimpse into the advocacy networks operating within and adjacent to the UMC, illustrating the interconnected nature of efforts to advance justice for marginalized groups. -
General Conference Focus News Bulletin
This item addresses the ongoing debates and tensions within the United Methodist Church (UMC) regarding human sexuality, church doctrine, and the role of bishops during the 1996 General Conference. It provides insights into the broader social, political, and theological landscape of the denomination during this time, including reactions to a public statement by a group of bishops regarding homosexuality.
This item captures the theological debates, cultural pressures, and political sensitivities that shaped the denomination's approach to controversial issues. The reactions to the bishops' statement highlight the diversity of opinion within the church and the challenges of balancing doctrinal adherence with calls for inclusivity. The news bulletin provides a lens into how the UMC navigated social change and maintained its global identity amid growing divisions. It also underscores the influence of broader cultural and political contexts on the church’s decision-making processes. -
Guide to the Study Document on Human Sexuality
The document, Guide to the Study Document on Human Sexuality, published in 1983 by Discipleship Resources, is a comprehensive resource developed by the United Methodist Church (UMC) for individual or group study. It reflects the church's attempt to engage members in theological reflection and dialogue about the complexities of human sexuality. The guide was commissioned by the 1980 General Conference to accompany a "Study Document on Human Sexuality" and includes supplementary materials to facilitate education, discussion, and program planning within the UMC.
This document is structured into sections that address a wide array of topics, including the biblical and theological roots of sexuality, the cultural and societal influences on living patterns, and issues such as homophobia, family dynamics, and singleness. It provides an expansive overview of human sexuality as understood within the church's theological framework and seeks to encourage open, rational, and compassionate dialogue among its members.
This document displays the UMC’s engagement with social issues, particularly during a period of heightened debate over human sexuality and LGBTQ+ rights. It reflects the denomination’s effort to balance tradition with evolving social understandings and its commitment to addressing sensitive topics in a structured and educational manner.
The inclusion of a robust bibliography also highlights the breadth of resources available at the time, offering insights into both church and secular perspectives on human sexuality. This makes the guide a valuable resource for understanding how the UMC sought to frame and address these issues in the early 1980s. -
Holy Union Invitation for Jeanne Barnett and Ellie Charlton
The document, Holy Union Invitation for Jeanne Barnett and Ellie Charlton, offers context to the significance of their union within the United Methodist Church (UMC) and the broader LGBTQ+ community. The invitation provides logistical details about the ceremony, which was held on January 16, 1999, at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Sacramento. It situates the union as both a personal celebration of love and a deliberate act of protest against UMC policies prohibiting such ceremonies.
The invitation underscores the dual purpose of the holy union: as a sacred expression of Jeanne Barnett and Ellie Charlton’s 15-year relationship and as an act of civil disobedience by participating clergy. It explicitly acknowledges the UMC’s prohibition of same-sex unions and frames the ceremony as a protest against this stance. The presence of clergy officiants, media coverage, and anticipated protestors highlights the event’s broader sociopolitical implications, making it a pivotal moment in the movement for LGBTQ+ inclusion within the church.
The document illustrates the intersection of faith, protest, and community in the late 1990s. It serves as a record of the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals and allies within the UMC and the lengths to which advocates went to affirm love and justice. The inclusion of advocacy organizations and explicit acknowledgment of controversy situates this union as a significant event in the broader movement for LGBTQ+ inclusion in religious spaces. -
Homosexuality Resource Packet Letter
This is a cover letter accompanying a resource packet intended to support families with gay members and church leaders planning ministries for such families. Created by the Board of Discipleship of The United Methodist Church (UMC), the letter contextualizes the packet within the church’s mission to provide care, guidance, and support to LGBTQ+ individuals and their families.
The letter explicitly identifies two primary audiences: families with LGBTQ+ members, particularly parents, and pastors or church leaders. Its dual focus reflects the UMC's recognition of the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals and their families within both the broader society and the church community.
The letter offers a snapshot of the UMC’s engagement with LGBTQ+ issues in the late 1970s. It highlights an institutional effort to navigate a contentious topic with compassion and an intent to provide constructive resources. The acknowledgment of controversy and the call for dialogue and education signal the church’s attempt to balance theological tradition with evolving social understandings. -
Letter to the Clergy of the Rocky Mountain Conference
This document is a letter from Bishop Melvin E. Wheatley Jr., dated November 20, 1981, addressing clergy colleagues of the Rocky Mountain Conference of The United Methodist Church. The letter provides a detailed theological, disciplinary, and personal rationale for appointing Julian Rush, a declared homosexual, as associate pastor and Minister to Community Concerns at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Denver. It represents a significant moment in the church's history, reflecting the evolving debates over homosexuality and ordination within the UMC.
The letter responds to concerns and questions about the disciplinary basis for appointing a self-identified homosexual pastor. It references the 1980 Book of Discipline and General Conference actions to justify the appointment, emphasizing that there is no explicit prohibition against ordination or appointment of homosexual persons.
Bishop Wheatley draws a distinction between sexual orientation and behavior, arguing that neither heterosexuality nor homosexuality is inherently virtuous or sinful. Instead, he frames both as "mysterious gifts of God’s grace" and emphasizes personal moral and spiritual responsibility in how individuals express their orientation.
This letter is a significant artifact of the UMC’s history, illustrating the theological, institutional, and personal dimensions of its debates over LGBTQ+ inclusion. It highlights the complexities of interpreting church law and doctrine in the context of evolving social norms and the challenges of balancing institutional authority with individual conscience.
From an archival perspective, the document serves as evidence of the church’s internal struggles during a period of significant cultural and theological change. It provides insight into how progressive leaders like Bishop Wheatley navigated institutional frameworks to advocate for greater inclusivity while addressing opposition within the denomination. -
Ordaining Homosexuals: The Issues
This item explores the complex topic of homosexuality and ordination within the context of Christian ethics, particularly in The United Methodist Church. Milligan opens by rejecting two extreme positions: outright rejection and hatred of homosexuals on one side, and the dismissal of any obstacles to ordination on the other. Instead, he advocates for a balanced approach that takes into account compassion, justice, and the spirit of the gospel. He acknowledges that no definitive Christian position can be claimed and stresses the importance of forming thoughtful, prayerful opinions rather than dogmatic conclusions.
This document offers a valuable glimpse into the theological debates and social dynamics of the mid-1970s, a period marked by increasing visibility and activism within the LGBTQ+ community. It provides insight into how churches grappled with changing societal norms and the tension between tradition and progress. -
Parents FLAG Convention 1984 Program
This document, titled Parents FLAG Convention 1984 Program, is a comprehensive program for the third annual national convention of the Federation of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), held in Denver, Colorado, from September 28 to 30, 1984. The document outlines the convention's schedule, workshops, keynote speakers, entertainment, and organizational acknowledgments, reflecting PFLAG's mission to support LGBTQ+ individuals and their families.
The schedule includes numerous workshops and activities addressing diverse topics, such as coping strategies for parents, fostering inclusivity, understanding health issues related to sexuality, and navigating societal prejudices. Specific workshops focus on educating parents in small towns, addressing long-term relationships, and discussing media portrayals of LGBTQ+ individuals. The program also features discussions on AIDS awareness, legal challenges faced by LGBTQ+ couples, and reaching minority parents within the LGBTQ+ community.
Notable speakers at the convention include political leaders like Denver Mayor Federico Peña, healthcare advocates such as Dr. Mary Calderone, and religious figures like Bishop Melvin Wheatley, Jr., of the United Methodist Church. Their contributions reflect the intersectional nature of the event, touching on politics, religion, and social justice.
This document highlights LGBTQ+ activism and family advocacy during the 1980s. It showcases the strategies, themes, and cultural dynamics of the period, providing valuable insights into the evolving relationship between LGBTQ+ individuals, their families, and broader society.
Advisory Warning
These archival exhibits contain historical materials that reflect the social, cultural, and theological perspectives of their time. Some content may include language, imagery, or viewpoints that are outdated, offensive, or harmful by today’s standards. These materials are preserved to document history and promote understanding, but they may be difficult to engage with for some viewers. We encourage users to approach these resources with sensitivity and awareness of their historical context. If you have questions or need support, please contact the archives.