RESOLUTION 6
An Interpretation of Moravian Church
Northern Province and Unity Synod Actions
Regarding Homosexuality
Prepared by: Provincial Elders' Conference,
Northern Province January 4, 2003
Background
The definitive word on this topic as of August 2002 resulted from the work of
the septennial gathering of the Unity Synod. To help us discern the implications
of this for the Northern Province, it is essential that we parse the meaning of
the Unity Synod as well as review the history of Northern Province legislation.
The Unity Synod addressed the issue as a biblical, theological, pastoral issue
that "does not rise to the doctrinal equivalent of the New Testament
confession, 'Jesus is Lord.’’’ This determination is an important
frame for this discussion and places this topic in a category in which our
thinking is guided by our understanding of social issues giving us the ability
to be encompassing and inclusive rather than circumspect and exclusive.
The Committee on Church and Society of the Northern Province addressed the
implications for social issues in the preamble to "Resolutions of the
Moravian Church- .Northern Province on Social Issues.’’ This
document, crafted circa 1980, affirms that when the synod acts, it speaks for
the church. Issues are addressed in the form of resolutions, which guide the
church in decision-making. But most importantly, what does it mean when the
church speaks on a social issue? When the church speaks, clearly it does not
mean that it speaks definitively for everyone who is a member of the church. Our
basic documents such as "The Covenant for Christian Living"
and "The Moravian Motto" honor an individual's freedom
of conscience. Therefore, when the church speaks on a social issue it does not
bind its members, congregations, clergy, or even its employees. Rather, in
speaking on a social issue, the church informs its members and its community
context. It means the church believes that a particular issue is so important
that we have discussed it and made a recommendation. It means that the Moravian
Church, Northern Province urges individuals and congregations, which are a part
of the province, to think about it and seriously consider doing what has been
recommended. The church cannot make anyone think differently or do anything they
don't want to do, but the church can inform its members of what it considers the
best position and action to be. The individual, with a conscience informed by
study, prayer, and reflection, is still free to make her or his own decision.
While, it is constructive to understand what it means when the church
addresses social issues, it is also important for us to remember the vision
statement crafted by the members of the District Boards (Canadian, Eastern, and
Western) and the Provincial Elders' Conference meeting in Chaska, Minnesota, in
November 2001, and subsequently affirmed by the Provincial Synod of 2002. As
such it establishes a focus for our mission:
The Moravian Church -Northern Province is a vital agent of
reconciliation in a world yearning for the good news of Jesus Christ. We are an
interconnected body of dynamic and growing churches embracing the diversity of
all God's creation. Our mission is listening, discerning, and responding to the
spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of people in the places in which we
minister. These servant churches, both formal and informal, are Christ- centered
and are led by competent clergy and gifted laity who are equipped and empowered
to embody the love of Jesus Christ through a life of faithful discipleship.
The Province and Districts exist to empower the congregations to pursue
ministries in an ever-changing world, and remain open to new models for
leadership and ministry so that the church is poised to reach out and respond to
the issues facing God's world. At all levels, locally and globally, the church
cooperates with other Christian entities to proclaim Christ and witness to God's
redeeming action through Jesus Christ.
Several concepts stand out and are worthy of noting in this discussion.
First, the Moravian Church, Northern Province, sees itself as an agent
of reconciliation in a world in which reconciliation is needed.
Second, we are a network of inter-connected congregations and mission
entities, which are diverse and represent the diversity of the communities in
which we minister.
Third, our mission is to detect the needs of our ministry contexts and
seek to address these needs.
Fourth, we are a Christ-centered church in which the love of Jesus can
be seen through acts of discipleship .
Fifth, we acknowledge our traditional ministries as being of value,
but are open to explore and implement new ways of demonstrating God's redeeming
love of the world through Jesus Christ.
Historical Context
With the background noted above let us review the historical context of the
discussion within the synods of the Northern Province and, most recently, the
Unity. The word homosexual first appeared in a resolution of a synod of the
Moravian Church, Northern Province, in 1974 where the following resolutions were
adopted:
RESOLVED: that the Moravian Church reaffirm its open welcome to all
people by specifically recognizing that the homosexual is also under God's care
,. and be it .further
RESOLVED: that the Moravian Congregations will extend an invitation to
all persons to join us in a common search for wholeness before God and persons
,. and be it further
RESOLVED: that as Christians, recognizing our common sinfulness and
the miracle of God's grace, accepting God's pardon, and together striving to
help .free each other .from bonds of fear, despair, and meaninglessness, fitting
us for lives of commitment, responsibility, witness, service, and celebration in
God's Kingdom, we will share in this venture as children of God and brothers and
sisters in Christ toward wholeness.
The 1974 resolution was built upon the premise that Christ's life, death, and
resurrection is for all people. Additionally, it was acknowledged that salvation
comes to individuals most often through the witness of the redeeming community,
that the American Psychiatric Association stated that the homosexual is not
responsible for his/her sexual orientation, and that the "Ground of the
Unity" states, "The Moravian Church will oppose discrimination based
on race, culture, or any other barrier and its own life will demonstrate that we
are brothers and sisters in Christ. This includes open membership in our own
congregations and working toward open structures and situations in society,”
and the observation that the homosexual has too often felt excluded from and
persecuted by society.
The Moravian Church, Northern Province Synod then fell silent on this topic
until 1994 when the following resolutions were adopted:
RESOLVED: All segments of the Moravian Church (provincial, district,
regional, congregation, individual) be encouraged to continue in prayer as
individuals and as groups for openness to the leading of the Holy Spirit with
regard to our understanding of the issue of homosexuality.
WHEREAS: The 1974 Northern Provincial Synod of the Moravian Church
affirmed the interest of the Moravian Church in accepting and ministering to
homosexual persons, therefore be it
RESOLVED: The 1994 Northern Provincial Synod reaffirms the
Homosexuality Resolution of the 1974 Resolutions of the Moravian Church Northern
Province on Social Issues ...(As noted above) RESOLVED: Although the Moravian
Church is not agreed on the question of the acceptability of homosexual
practice, congregations are urged to make available support systems for people
whose lives are affected by homosexual issues and to encourage individuals to
seek appropriate training to lead such groups; and be it further
RESOLVED: "Certain basic human rights and civil liberties are due
all persons. We are committed to support those rights and liberties for
homosexual persons. We see a clear issue of simple justice in protecting their
rightful claims. " (from the Book of Discipline of the United Methodist
Church, 1992) Moreover, we condemn acts of violence and coercion against persons
who are homosexual or are perceived to be homosexual.
RESOLVED: The 1994 Northern Provincial Synod affirms the intention of
the Provincial Elders' Conference, Northern Province, to develop balanced
educational materials on homosexuality for use in congregations in their quest
for understanding on this issue.
This resolution acknowledged the difficulty the church has in dealing with
the topic of homosexuality, yet observed the Moravian Church has displayed
courage in dealing with difficult and divisive issues in the past (e.g. Pacifism
during the Revolutionary War and the Ordination of Women). While the word
consensus is not used; nevertheless, the emphasis upon prayer is acknowledged as
a means for the church to resolve seemingly intractable problems. Discomfort is
seen as a sign of the need for reconciliation as well as the need of the church
to minister in the midst of societal rejection. The congregation was observed to
be a safe, open, loving, and redemptive environment in which all people might
enter into dialogue about homosexuality.
The Moravian Church, Northern Province Synod then spoke again in 1998
following intentional dialogue and prayer on the part of all delegates:
RESOLVED: Delegates from each congregation at the 1998 Northern
Provincial Synod shall take the study materials on health and healing to their
congregations and encourage congregational use.
This resolution followed an intentional period of dialogue and prayer. It
acknowledged the work of the synods of 1974 and 1994, and placed emphasis upon
the pastoral needs of the entire community by noting the pain of societal
rejection and the need of the church to provide a place for safe discussion and
prayer even as had taken place during this synod. Again the basic thrust of this
legislation acknowledges the role of the church as a congregational healing
agent, using the tool of education as a means of addressing this issue.
2002 Synod Actions
The Moravian Church, Northern Province Synod again spoke in 2002 when a
partial report was adopted leaving the matter of interpretation to the
Provincial Elders' Conference, which acts as "the executive board of the
province."
RESOLVED: The 2002 Synod of the Moravian Church, Northern Province
shall recommend full participation {membership, activities, and lay leadership)
in the congregation for all persons, regardless of sexual orientation; and be it
further
RESOLVED: The 2002 Synod of the Moravian Church, Northern Province
shall affirm the resolutions of the Synods of 1974 and 1994 concerning
homosexual persons; and be it further
RESOLVED: The Human Sexuality Task Force shall be commended for its
efforts and the congregations of the Northern Province shall be urged to
distribute this guide to their members and use it in their congregational
programming; and be it further
RESOLVED: Every member of the Moravian Church shall be urged to pray
that the Holy Spirit will guide our understanding of the issues pertaining to
sexual orientation and direct us all to our unity in Christ.
RESOLVED: The 2002 Synod of the Northern Province shall recognize that
persons who are homosexual can be members of our church because they are
children of God and seek to know God's grace which is freely given to all people
who have faith in God; and be it further
RESOLVED: Homosexual individuals shall be supported and affirmed by
being allowed to celebrate their lives as individuals and/or couples completely
within the bounds of the church and under the grace which our Creator imparts to
all persons ,. and be it further
RESOLVED: The church shall continue to enter into dialogue in a
Christian manner with homosexual persons in order to understand their lives and
their spiritual walk.
These resolutions followed an intentional period of study and prayer
initiated by the Eastern District Synod of 2000, which created the Human
Sexuality Task Force. The Task Force developed materials and distributed a few
thousand copies to congregations throughout the Eastern District, sharing the
information with other districts of the Northern Province to assist in
preparation for the discussion during the Provincial Synod of 2002. The Synod
then used the vision statement of the Moravian Church which describes the
Northern Province as a vital agent of reconciliation with a mission to listen,
discern, and respond to the spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of the
people in the places in which we minister. The resolutions call (or direct or
implore etc) the church to acknowledge the fundamental teaching of the Bible, to
demonstrate the love of Christ to all, to affirm the struggle to be faithful to
all of scripture, and to remain open to the Holy Spirit and to be sensitive to
the needs of God's children. The resolutions also affirmed the actions of the
synods of 1974 and 1994, which acknowledged the lack of agreement on the
question of the acceptability of homosexual practice. Synod noted the
Interprovincial Faith and Order Commission (after 4 years of study) was unable
to reach consensus on the acceptability of ordaining homosexual persons. Synod
observed the lack of consensus on the interpretation of the Biblical passages
which teach about sexual orientation. The Biblical teaching concerning the
inclusion of all persons in the community of faith was acknowledged along with
the affirmation of the spiritual journey of homosexual Christians as a valid
journey of faith equal to the spiritual journey of all other baptized believers.
Following the Moravian Church, Northern Provincial Synod of June 2002 the
septennial meeting of the Unitas Fratrum convened in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania,
and considered and spoke on the topic of homosexuality. This resolution is the
current guiding influence upon all provinces of the Unity including the Moravian
Church, Northern Province.
RESOLVED: that Unity Synod should speak to the issue of homosexuality
as it relates to the ministry of the church.
RESOLVED: that the church should not make a hasty decision at this
time, but urges the provinces towards further, in-depth examination of the
subject of homosexuality and the church. Until this in-depth examination is
finished: the Synod places a moratorium on additional changes by the Provinces
in this matter.
RESOLVED: that this issue does not rise to the doctrinal equivalent of
the New Testament confession, "Jesus is Lord, " but it is a biblical,
theological, and pastoral issue on which the church must dialogue. The Unity
Board shall mandate the Standing Committee on Theology to develop discussion
material that will guide the Provinces.
RESOLVED: that all official documents and reports submitted to this
Synod on the issue of homosexuality shall be considered by the Standing
Committee on Theology
RESOLVED: that Synod call upon all Moravians to be ministers of the
grace, truth, forgiveness, mercy, and love of God to homosexuals even as we are
called so to minister to all people
RESOLVED: that the church must continue to do theology in an attempt
to discern the will of God.
One of the directives of the Book of Order of the Moravian
Church, Northern Province is "to see that the enactments of the Unity and
of the Provincial Synods are faithfully executed in the province, and to guard
against deviations from the spirit and principles of the church" (Book of
Order, par 119 d).
Since we are living under the guidance of the Unity Synod of 2002 and since
the Unity Synod has proclaimed a "moratorium on additional changes by the
Provinces in this matter,” it is the interpretation of the Provincial Elders'
Conference, Northern Province, that additional discussion and debate on this
issue is possible, but that additional legislation is not possible. Therefore,
any resolutions or actions of the Province, the District{s), or congregations
are not able to be received at the present time and will not be possible until
further direction is received from The Unity.
Interpretive Summary
This, of course, brings us back to the meaning of the resolutions of the
Provincial Synod of June 2002 as they are seen in light of the resolutions of
the Unity Synod of August 2002. The Provincial Elders' Conference of the
Moravian Church, Northern Province, believes that these resolutions give us the
following direction:
First, they do say that homosexual persons have access to God and
God's grace like any other member of the congregation.
Second, they do affirm the need of the congregations to have
facilities and resources to deal with the social issues that surround
homosexuality and its impact upon families in the community .
Third, they do affirm that the church is a safe environment where all
people can gather without fear.
Fourth, they do affirm that educational material already prepared
should be used and that additional materials will be prepared in the future,
affirming the fact that God's wisdom can be discerned through the process of
prayer, sharing ideas, and careful listening.
Fifth, they do not make judgments about the homosexual sexual act.
This interpretation remains a pastoral issue to be discerned through study of
scripture and as the Holy Spirit guides us.
Sixth, in the Northern Province resolution the word
"celebrate" means homosexual persons (individuals and/or couples) are
able to identify themselves without fear, and participate fully in the community
of faith.
Seventh, the resolution does acknowledge God's grace is available to
all despite the reality that homosexuality is a topic with which there is
disagreement within church and society.
Eighth, the resolution does not address the issue of the ordination of
homosexual persons.
Ninth, the resolution does not address the issue of a marriage
covenant between homosexual persons.
One of the important lessons of the Northern Provincial Synod of 2002 was
that matters of significant meaning to the church are not best decided in an
atmosphere in which "winners" and "losers" are identified.
Rather the idea of the consensus (meaning substantial agreement) is a much
better way of dealing with these issues for the church. A high point of the
Northern Province Synod of 2002 occurred when the members of synod agreed that
further action would divide and that such division was not the message the synod
sought to send to the church and the communities where we serve. In a spirit of
cooperation, marked by the love we experience in Christ, the synod drew the
process of decision to a halt wishing to express a message of concern, and
understanding of the community we experience in Christ. We are now in a period
of time during which the discussion continues. Points of view need to be
articulated and carefully understood. As time passes and prayer continues, the
Holy Spirit will bring us to a point of agreement, which will be so clear as to
make misunderstanding unlikely. This may take time and certainly will take
prayer, but it may well be the way the church can remain faithful to the Great
Commission and still address and be relevant to the issues of our day.
