Can you explain something to me? Where in God’s word does it speak about sexual orientation? I can’t seem to find it.

What I read is about sexual temptation. So, I do believe that some of us are more susceptible to homosexual temptation, which is often called an orientation.

I guess if a person chooses not to read portions of the Word it would be possible to come to the conclusion that the Bible does not offer directives to people struggling with homosexual temptation. It does, however, offer us clear directives about what to do with that or any other sin, sexual or otherwise. We would be wise to heed the counsel of our own Covenant documents as they share the counsel of scripture: (from the 1996 resolution)

“God created people male and female, and provided for the marriage relationship in which two may become one. A publicly declared, legally binding marriage between one woman and one man is the one appropriate place for sexual intercourse. Heterosexual marriage, faithfulness within marriage, abstinence outside of marriage—these constitute the Christian standard. When we fall short, we are invited to repent, receive the forgiveness of God, and amend our lives.”

If this is not our standard, we fall outside of what the Covenant believes.

Dale,

Thanks for your comment and suggestion of the UCC. You are correct
in pointing out that there are other faith communities that would welcome me
and my gifts for ministry, while also affirming my sexuality – and their number
is continually growing (UCC, ELCA, and now PCUSA). While these are all viable
options worth considering, I cannot pretend that to walk away from my home
church would not be painful or a new cause for grieving. And the point I feel
compelled to make is that I shouldn’t HAVE to leave. The denomination and its
seminary have previously affirmed my gifts and my call to ministry.
Interestingly, I was gay that whole time; they just didn’t know it then. My
gifts, my call, my competency, my character all remain the same as ever. The
only thing that has changed is that I have stepped out into the light and
shared the full truth of my identity, as God made me. As I said, I believe
stepping into the light and truth-telling to be biblical precedents. Following
the Gospel is often costly and can lead to rejection and persecution, I know,
but I guess I (naively, perhaps) didn’t expect it to come from my own
church. 

this blog is one of the few things that are keeping me going. 

Reply to Lorian, yes the bible does talk about our sexual relations.  Scripturealy, no sex outside of marriage. Both old and new.  Leviticus chapter 18.  Roman’s 1  Again we have a personal, fulfilling,intimate, opportunity to know Christ.  He is our peace.

Tjdubuy15, the Bible doesn’t give any specific statement regarding monogamous relationships between people of the same sex, but it certainly does not condemn them.  And some few of them are apparently celebrated.  Nowhere does the Bible say that those whose sexual orientation is towards their own sex must commit to a life of perpetual celibacy and aloneness. 

The fact that the Bible doesn’t offer specific directives to homosexually-oriented persons likely has more to do with the fact that we represent such a relatively small percentage of the population than with any intent.  I think it can well be discerned, however, that God expects from us the same sort of Chastity that God expects from any heterosexually-oriented person, namely, that we behave responsibly and lovingly within the context of our God-given sexual orientation, that we avoid all forms of exploitation of others, and that we seek to form bonds of loving, monogamous commitment to a partner with whom we covenant to share our life’s journey.

Lifelong celibacy is not a realistic expectation for the majority of heterosexual persons, and no more so is it a realistic expectation for homosexual persons.  The church and its followers need to get past this prejudiced, man-made approach and realize how harmful, how damaging, how unnecessary and unnatural it is for human beings of any sexual orientation, as a rule.  It is unnecessarily cruel and hurtful, and drives away God’s GLBT children when Jesus is beckoning that they be allowed to come to him.

Having been in both the Covenant and the UCC, while hearing your pain on the lack of welcome within the Covenant it would seem that the UCC would be a welcoming and healing faith community for you.

In Christ,

Dale