LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2001, Page 440

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440 ADDITIONAL THEOLOGICAL DOCUMENTS AND REPORTS—OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

This is a helpful book for parents, friends, and relatives who are
just finding out about a loved one’s homosexuality. Dealing with a
wide range of subjects, this book cannot cover anything in any real
depth. But it is an excellent book to start with. As family and
friends adjust, however, they will probably need something with
more depth.

“Always Our Children—A pastoral message to parents of ho-
mosexual children and suggestions for pastoral ministries” (1997),
A publication of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops.

This 13-page tract is notable for its accurate reflection of the
emotional turbulence experienced by a family on learning that one
of its members is a homosexual. Five Christian responses are of-
fered to encourage respect toward and ministry to the homosexual
family member. Lutheran readers will recognize Catholic theology
in the document.

Support Groups

Keys Ministries (Family Crossfires): This is a ministry to ho-
mosexuals begun by individuals within the Missouri Synod. It ap-
proaches homosexuality from a uniquely Lutheran perspective. It
offers resources to pastors and churches wishing to assist homo-
sexual] members. By providing basic information, this program
forces the homosexual and the pastor of the congregation working
with him to deal with the Scriptures and with one another on a per-
sonal level. This program is designed for people who are just com-
ing out of the “homosexual lifestyle.” Keys Ministries also has
what it calls a “Green Ribbon Program.” This is for members who
wish to indicate their openness to listening to homosexuals and
helping them overcome their problem in a Christian and loving
manner; they wear a “green ribbon” in public. The Keys program
also offers correspondence enro]lment.

Address: Box 97, Wykoff. MN 55990, Telephone (507) 352-
4110; Fax (507) 352-7671; e-mail: keysmin@hamtel.com.

Exodus International: This is an umbrella organization that
functions as a referral system for people of homosexual orientation
or those affected by them. Exodus refers persons needing help to
programs and counselors in the geographical area where they live.
These support groups/persons differ from place to place in their ap-
proaches to helping and in their philosophy about homosexual ori-
entation/behavior. The national umbrella organization does, how-
ever, check out the local groups that use their name. They have
very strict guidelines for the groups that ask to be affiliated with
them. You may write to

Exodus International — North America, P.O. Box
77652, Seattle WA 98177-0652. The telephone is (206)-784-7799.
The fax number is (206)-784-7872.

Ministry to Homosexuals and their families task force members:
Rev. Richard Bode

Dr. Lee Maxwell

Rev. Howard Mueller

Rev. Robert Schaibley

Mr. Ross Stueber

Dr. Dean Wenthe

Appendix

To Develop a Plan for Ministry to Homosexuals and Their
Families

Resolution 3-12A; Overtures 3-86, 3-88A-C, 3-89A-B, 3-91
(CW, pp. 207-08)

WHEREAS, Many voices in our society as well as in various
church bodies are expressing the view today that homophile be-
havior is an acceptable alternative lifestyle; and

WHEREAS, The Word of God clearly condemns homosexual be-
havior in Lev. 18:22, Rom. 1:26-27, and | Cor. 6:9: and

2001 Convention Workbook

Wuereas, The Lutheran Church—Missourt Synod in conven-
tion in 1973 stated: “That the Synod recognizes homophile behav-
ior as intrinsically sinful’; and

WHEREAS, The Commission on Theology and Church Relations
document on Human Sexuality, A Theological Perspective, states,
“Whatever the causes of such a condition may be, .. . homosexual
orientation is profoundly ‘unnatural’ without implying that such a
person’s sexual orientation is a matter of conscious, deliberate
choice. However, this fact cannot be used by the homosexual as an
excuse to justify homosexual behavior. As a sinful human being,
the homosexual is accountable to God for homosexual thoughts,
words, and deeds.” (Human Sexuality, A Theological Perspective,
p. 35); and

WHEREAS, The redeeming love of Christ, which rescues hu-
manity from sin, death, and the power of Satan, is offered to all
through repentance and faith in Christ, regardless of the nature of
their sinfulness; and

WHEREAS, The need exists to make available a carefully devel-
oped Law/Gospel ministry plan to congregations and other institu-
tions in order to minister to those who are troubled by their homo-
sexuality; and

WHEREAS, It is necessary for the church to expose and resist the
sexual idolatry of our society; therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, in con-
vention, reatfirm the position it stated in 1973, “That the Synod
recognize homophile behavior as intrinsically sinful”; and be it fur-
ther

Resolved, That the president of the Synod direct the appropriate
boards and commissions to develop a plan for ministry usable by
congregations, campus ministries, institutions, and agencies in the
Synod, for the purpose of providing Biblical and Gospel-oriented
ministry to persons troubled by being homophile in their sexual ori-
entations and to their families; and be it finally

Resolved, That the goals to be pursued by such a plan for min-
istry be

|. to offer to our world Biblically alternative models of sexual
celibacy outside of a committed, permanent heterosexual marriage
and same-sex social, but not genitally sexual, deep friendships;

2. to confront the individual with his/her sinfulness, and call
him/her to repentance;

3. to help the individual recognize that God can rescue individ-
uals from homosexual orientation and practice;

4. to assure him/her of forgiveness in Christ, contingent upon
sincere repentance and faith in Christ, and to assure him/her of the
love and acceptance of the church;

5. to help the individual to rely on Christ’s love and strength to
abstain from homophile behavior;

6. to help the individual to bear his/her burden without tear of
recrimination and rejection by his/her sisters and brothers in Christ;

7. to find ways of ministering to families that include persons of
homophile orientation;

8. to do all this patiently, persistently, and compassionately in
the love and Spirit of Christ, who says, “Neither do I condemn you;
go and sin no more.”

[The text of this resolution can be found in Convention Pro-
ceedings: 58th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Mis-
souri Synod (St. Louis, 1992).]

Notes

1. Resolution 3-12A of the 58th Regular Convention of The
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (1992) mandated the creation
of “a plan for ministry usable by congregations, campus ministries,
institutions, and agencies of the Synod, for the purpose of provid-
ing Biblical and Gospel-directed ministries to persons troubled by
being homophile in their orientation and their families.” The office
of the President responded with the creation of a working group