The Des Moines Jerusalem Council began with the singing of “God of Grace and God of Glory” under a replica of a Danish ship in the Rodholm Room of Grandview College, a Lutheran (ELCA) school. There were at least forty-two present from Mid-America. One member of the Ministers Council came from Nebraska.
Our spiritual companion, Paul Kondy lit a candle and started our gathering while wearing spurs over his cowboy boots. He then reached down and taking of his spurs, invited all in attendance to “take off the irons.” Paul encouraged us to agree to be respectful and kind to one another. Throughout the day that respect characterized the tenor of the gathering in Des Moines.
A few participants shared they were present because it was required. Others came hoping that a common language could be found. Some came to defend scripture and still others came because of a sense that the integrity of the church is at stake in this debate.
After giving a brief background of the Jerusalem Council process, Ministers Council President, Joe Kutter asked us to consider what it is about the question of homosexuality that has the power to hook us into a repetitive cycle of debate.
We spent an hour in the Lectio Divina process considering Acts 15. Prayers were dominated by concerns for humility and discernment. During lunch conversation flowed freely over tables and into the corridors. Dale Thomas gave a persuasive and humorous advertisement for joining the Ministers Council.
In the afternoon session, participants were each given three minutes to give a testimony or interpretation of scripture. A significant pause of at least ten seconds followed each presentation. The pause was profound, allowing each person’s speech to stand apart. The silence was reverential.
Right away, one leader opposed to Homosexuality made it clear that we should all be welcoming of gays and lesbians in our churches. The question for him and others is one of leadership in the church and having a higher standard for leaders.
One former Southern Baptist shared his shock that homosexuality was even a topic in American Baptist life. He saw the scriptures as being clear on the matter. Another former Southern Baptists offered a counter concern that by organizing around the issue of homosexuality, we would “sell our Baptist birthright (soul freedom and church autonomy) for a bowl of pottage.”
Many participants interpreted the Bible as condemning homosexuality as a sin. However, several with this interpretation of scripture, shared that “he who is without sin should cast the first stone.” One person asked, “If we allow the disqualification of homosexuals then what will be the next sin that disqualifies leaders, will it be divorce or gluttony or being female?”
One leader was impressed with the Jerusalem Council suggested readings and the article by Mar Imsong asking how American Baptist could allow the church to become divided over a moral issue. Another leader called upon those present to keep in mind those pulled into prostitution who need the church to stand clearly against homosexuality. Several leaders spoke of homosexuality as an issue of discipline arguing that a loving father would discipline his child.
In Des Moines we had the participation of welcoming and affirming church leaders, though no openly gay or lesbian person participated. One leader described the people he worked with as being on life boats after having been tossed from the ship that is the church. He said they are looking for a life line and instead are being thrown an anchor.
Scriptural authority was important for all the speakers in Des Moines. Almost everyone used scripture to formulate and support their thoughts. One speaker decried the simplistic use of the Bible in this matter and called for deeper intellectual, historical and contextual searching of the scripture. Another shared that for her only one text in scripture describes homosexuality as we know it today and it is ambiguous. Several held their Bibles and said “there are many places in the Bible where homosexuality is condemned.” One person said that for himself, all scripture is interpreted through the person of Jesus Christ.
Those who spoke in the sharing time were evenly divided between those who were in favor of inclusion of homosexual leaders and those who were opposed to homosexuals being leaders. During the last hour, the Jerusalem Council turned to the questions asked and to responses to the proposed by-law amendment. By this time some had left and members of the Ministers Council contributed most of the discussion. Several more spoke against the proposed bylaw amendment than spoke for the bylaw amendment.
Paul Kondy was thanked for his skill and dedication to our American Baptist Family. He did a wonderful job guiding our time together. The Des Moines Jerusalem Council concluded with the holding of hands of hands in a circle and the singing of “Blest be the Tie that Binds.”
One participant said after the Jerusalem Council, “ I really appreciated the space and the tenor of the event, I really felt like I was at a Council of the church.”
Submitted by:
Rev. Cheryl R. Thomas
Mid-America Ministers Council President and Senator