A Seminar on Homosexuality

This morning, here at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Cokato, a seminar was put on by Outpost Ministries. Their website says this:

Outpost Ministries was formed to meet the needs of men and women who have made a decision to break away from gay life. We strive to deal with individuals as whole people, not merely sexual beings, offering teaching, encouragement and support. Outpost emphasizes obedience to God's Word which begins the healing process. For information visit us on the web at www.OutpostMinistries.org.or, write: Outpost, Inc., PO Box 22429, Robbinsdale, MN 55422. Phone: (763) 592‑4700 Fax: (763) 592‑4701 E‑mail: outpostinfo@OutpostMinistries.org.

When Pastor Lyndon Korhonen of Good Shepherd invited me and the other local pastors, I had thought I might attend, even though this is a hot-button issue for so many in our church and community.  I recall him emphasizing that this ministry is grace-filled and gentle--but solidly based on God's Word. I never paid much attention to the date of the seminar, however, so forgot all about it until this afternoon.

If you attended, let me know what you thought.

This morning, at our men's Bible study, we read Jesus' teaching on marriage from Mark (10:1-12).  Tomorrow's scripture readings from Isaiah (62:1-5) and John (2:1-11) refer to marriage--in Isaiah it says "...as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you" and the John reading tells us of Jesus first miracle--turning water to wine at a wedding.

The Bible celebrates faithful heterosexual marriage over and over again, from Genesis to Revelation.  One Bible book (Song of Solomon) is an erotic poem. God invented sex and intends a faithful male-female marriage it to be the place where new life is created and children are nurtured.

On the other hand, homosexual sexual relations are always prohibited by the Bible. It seems to me that we need to help those who have been convinced by the Bible that homosexual sex "misses the mark" of God's intent.  If Outpost Ministries is, as Pastor Korhonen said, a gentle and caring way to do that, then we should learn about it and support its work. 

To learn more about this perspective of on homosexuality, look at ELCA Pastor David Glesne's 2005 book Understanding Homosexuality: Perspective for the Living Church or go to the section "Marriage and Family" on the WordAlone website.

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