Resources for Pastors and Ministers
Article by Gena M. Minnix, Ph.D.
Whether you're a pastor, priest, or lay minister, we hope to be a helpful source of support for you as you discern the directions God is leading you and your community. Before we "break bread together", we'll share some background about who we are and our process for selecting resources to offer.
I find myself in the unique position of having the research focus on both 1) Christian theology and Biblical hermeneutics, and 2) psychological research on health, gender, and sexual diversity.
Gender and Sexuality
The field of psychology and the conservative church used to agree on these matters; about 50 years ago, scholars in both fields thought of same-sex attraction like an addiction - something that could be treated or "cured". It had never been tried, but people assumed homosexuality, if affirmed, would cause harm to individuals, couples, and families.
"The shift took place after studies consistently
confirmed two findings:
1) efforts to change or “recover”
from one's sexual orientation are not effective, and
2) supported, committed, loving same-gender couples and families are as happy, healthy, and well-adjusted
as those of the opposite gender."
In the 1970's however, the field of psychology reversed its position. Many who are not in the mental health field may not be fully aware why this change occurred. The shift took place after decades of peer-reviewed, methodologically sound studies consistently confirmed two findings: 1) efforts to change or “recover” from one's sexual orientation are not effective, and 2) supported, committed, loving same-gender couples and families are as happy, healthy, and well-adjusted as those of the opposite gender.
Does Same-Gender Attraction Function Like an Addiction?
Many pastors are experienced and effective at working with folks recovering from addiction and that "lens" offers a familiar framework. However, love and attraction between a couple of the same gender is really quite different from addiction - neurologically, psychologically, and spiritually. The differences between addiction and same-sex love and bonding are based on how these processes function in the brain, and how they impact health and wellness.
Does Same-Gender Attraction Function Like an Addiction?
Many pastors are experienced and effective at working with folks recovering from addiction and that "lens" offers a familiar framework. However, love and attraction between a couple of the same gender is really quite different from addiction - neurologically, psychologically, and spiritually. The differences between addiction and same-sex love and bonding are based on how these processes function in the brain, and how they impact health and wellness.
"Neuroscience finds that same-gender partnerships activate the brain's neural network for love, care, nurture, and bonding.
This is also true for opposite-gender couples.
This is a key reason why same-gender love does not respond to recovery-based treatments."
Addiction functions within the brain's pleasure/pain network. As we lose our ability to resist an addiction, we tend also to lose our capacity to be loving, selfless, restrained, generous, and spiritually-attuned people. Addiction responds well to 12-step and recovery-based treatments, and successful recovery is often possible.
In contrast, neuroscience finds that same-gender partnerships activate the brain's neural network for love, care, nurture, and bonding. This is also true for opposite-gender couples. This is a key reason why same-gender love and attraction does not respond to recovery-based treatments.
Change Efforts vs. Affirmation
Church leaders who look at homosexuality through an "addiction lens" often recommend recovery-based treatments, i.e. conversion therapy, reparative therapy, or restorative therapy. A pastor may do this out of sincere love and desire to support the spiritual health of gay members. However, decades of research show these are ineffective - whether conducted by a counselor or clergy - and all the health professions denounce these treatments because of their harmful consequences.
Suicide risk is extremely high for members of the LGBT community, especially those attempting to comply with recovery-based programs that fail despite the individual's discipline and commitment to them. Programs designed to change one's orientation or desire to marry a person of the same gender tend contribute to LGBT person's risk factors for depression, suicidality, addiction, isolation, and traumatic stress. If you're a leader of a church referring LGBT members to such programs/therapies, you're likely familiar with these symptoms. They are symptoms that harm is being done to the person's spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional wellness. We the church are responsible to use good discernment and recognize that love, first and foremost, "does no harm" as the physician's oath vows.
If change-efforts are being encouraged by your church leaders, please share these risk factors with them, take whatever steps necessary to eliminate any harmful practices among your staff and counselors, and begin praying about and researching healthy alternatives. Also, it might be good to check in with your LGBT members to see if they are experiencing suicidality or depression, and connect them with a licensed professional mental health care provider if they need care.
In contrast, neuroscience finds that same-gender partnerships activate the brain's neural network for love, care, nurture, and bonding. This is also true for opposite-gender couples. This is a key reason why same-gender love and attraction does not respond to recovery-based treatments.
Change Efforts vs. Affirmation
Church leaders who look at homosexuality through an "addiction lens" often recommend recovery-based treatments, i.e. conversion therapy, reparative therapy, or restorative therapy. A pastor may do this out of sincere love and desire to support the spiritual health of gay members. However, decades of research show these are ineffective - whether conducted by a counselor or clergy - and all the health professions denounce these treatments because of their harmful consequences.
Suicide risk is extremely high for members of the LGBT community, especially those attempting to comply with recovery-based programs that fail despite the individual's discipline and commitment to them. Programs designed to change one's orientation or desire to marry a person of the same gender tend contribute to LGBT person's risk factors for depression, suicidality, addiction, isolation, and traumatic stress. If you're a leader of a church referring LGBT members to such programs/therapies, you're likely familiar with these symptoms. They are symptoms that harm is being done to the person's spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional wellness. We the church are responsible to use good discernment and recognize that love, first and foremost, "does no harm" as the physician's oath vows.
If change-efforts are being encouraged by your church leaders, please share these risk factors with them, take whatever steps necessary to eliminate any harmful practices among your staff and counselors, and begin praying about and researching healthy alternatives. Also, it might be good to check in with your LGBT members to see if they are experiencing suicidality or depression, and connect them with a licensed professional mental health care provider if they need care.
"Many churches are attempting to create an environment where differing views on scriptures can be acknowledged and discussed openly, while still creating safety and affirmation for LGBT members and couples."
LGBT members tend to thrive when affirmed by their faith community and supported in spiritual and relational growth. The fruit of God's spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control. These tend to flourish when LGBT members/couples are affirmed and supported by churches and pastors.
Is Same-Gender Love Biblical?
There are differing opinions among faithful, prayerful Christians regarding the best way to interpret and apply the wisdom of scriptures that appear to condemn homosexuality. The verses examined in this discussion include (as translated in the NIV, ESV, and other English translations):
Genesis 19:5 (also Jude 1:7) ...just as Sodom and Gomorrah...
Leviticus 18:22 (also 20:13) You shall not lie with a male as with a woman...
Genesis 2:24 (also Matthew 19:5/Mark 10:7/Ephesians 5:31) ...the Creator ‘made them male and female’... a man shall be joined to his wife...
Romans 1:25-27 Women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural… and the men were inflamed with lust for one another...
1 Corinthians 6:9 (also 1 Timothy 1:9) ...the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God…
An examination of the translation decisions regarding these scriptures shows two hermeneutic approaches, both of which have integrity and are endorsed by Evangelical, orthodox Biblical scholars. Churches who wish to create an environment where differing views on these scriptures can be acknowledged and discussed openly, while still creating safety and affirmation for LGBT members and couples, tend to find these scriptural resources helpful.
Is Same-Gender Love Biblical?
There are differing opinions among faithful, prayerful Christians regarding the best way to interpret and apply the wisdom of scriptures that appear to condemn homosexuality. The verses examined in this discussion include (as translated in the NIV, ESV, and other English translations):
Genesis 19:5 (also Jude 1:7) ...just as Sodom and Gomorrah...
Leviticus 18:22 (also 20:13) You shall not lie with a male as with a woman...
Genesis 2:24 (also Matthew 19:5/Mark 10:7/Ephesians 5:31) ...the Creator ‘made them male and female’... a man shall be joined to his wife...
Romans 1:25-27 Women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural… and the men were inflamed with lust for one another...
1 Corinthians 6:9 (also 1 Timothy 1:9) ...the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God…
An examination of the translation decisions regarding these scriptures shows two hermeneutic approaches, both of which have integrity and are endorsed by Evangelical, orthodox Biblical scholars. Churches who wish to create an environment where differing views on these scriptures can be acknowledged and discussed openly, while still creating safety and affirmation for LGBT members and couples, tend to find these scriptural resources helpful.
"Pastoral teams often seek
to create an environment where folks can believe differently about these scriptures,
while serving LGBT individuals, couples and families
equally well."
I'll summarize the scriptural case for LGBT affirmation that Biblical scholars who are affirming tend to make:
“Sin is any act that separates us from God, causes harm, and/or damages spiritual health, i.e. "misses the mark" of love. Love and marriages which contribute to health, wellness, and spiritual growth don't fit this definition. The verses condemning "homosexuality" are important for us to follow, however, because they condemn sexual acts that abuse, exploit or harm someone of the same gender. A healthy relationship is not determined by physical anatomy but by faith, commitment, and the fruit of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This view is consistent with the whole of scripture, the gospel of Christ, and the teaching of Paul in 1 Cor. 13."
There is diversity among Biblical scholars regarding the interpretation of the verses mentioned above. These views each have linguistic, historical, contextual, and hermeneutic integrity. For that reason, pastoral teams are often seeking to create an environment where folks can believe differently about these scriptures, while still serving LGBT individuals, couples and families equally well.
Breaking Bread Together
Most pastors and faith leaders we work with are wrestling with questions like, "Is it possible for prayerful, faithful believers to arrive at different conclusions?” and “Does God require us to break fellowship when we do, or can we continue in communion with one another, despite our differences?" Many churches, within larger conservative and Evangelical Christian denominations, are teaching congregation members who believe differently to "break bread together" and "no longer pass judgment on one another" (Rom 14:13). If we can be a resource for your pastoral staff or congregation in engaging with spiritually discerning, prayerful, Bible-based, and empathetic conversations about these topics, use our confidential contact form and let us know how we can support you.
“Sin is any act that separates us from God, causes harm, and/or damages spiritual health, i.e. "misses the mark" of love. Love and marriages which contribute to health, wellness, and spiritual growth don't fit this definition. The verses condemning "homosexuality" are important for us to follow, however, because they condemn sexual acts that abuse, exploit or harm someone of the same gender. A healthy relationship is not determined by physical anatomy but by faith, commitment, and the fruit of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This view is consistent with the whole of scripture, the gospel of Christ, and the teaching of Paul in 1 Cor. 13."
There is diversity among Biblical scholars regarding the interpretation of the verses mentioned above. These views each have linguistic, historical, contextual, and hermeneutic integrity. For that reason, pastoral teams are often seeking to create an environment where folks can believe differently about these scriptures, while still serving LGBT individuals, couples and families equally well.
Breaking Bread Together
Most pastors and faith leaders we work with are wrestling with questions like, "Is it possible for prayerful, faithful believers to arrive at different conclusions?” and “Does God require us to break fellowship when we do, or can we continue in communion with one another, despite our differences?" Many churches, within larger conservative and Evangelical Christian denominations, are teaching congregation members who believe differently to "break bread together" and "no longer pass judgment on one another" (Rom 14:13). If we can be a resource for your pastoral staff or congregation in engaging with spiritually discerning, prayerful, Bible-based, and empathetic conversations about these topics, use our confidential contact form and let us know how we can support you.
Gena Minnix, Ph.D. is a theological educator, counselor and researcher specializing in the integration of theology and psychology. She teaches at the Seminary of the Southwest, and serves with her husband at an Evangelical Covenant Church in Austin, TX.
Check our our list of curated resources from some orthodox Christian traditions your LGBT church members may find helpful to their spiritual growth and discernment.
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