{"id":281,"date":"2025-02-03T12:16:52","date_gmt":"2025-02-03T10:16:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dewcom.org\/?page_id=281"},"modified":"2025-02-07T09:00:41","modified_gmt":"2025-02-07T07:00:41","slug":"lgbtiaq","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dewcom.org\/index.php\/conversations\/lgbtiaq\/","title":{"rendered":"LGBTIQA"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div style=\"height:33px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignwide is-light has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1f6c77ee319159c2022c1ab9ea043f1b\" style=\"color:#ffffff\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-0 has-background-dim\"><\/span><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"328\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-78\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/dewcom.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/9dc4e56c-0498-4bcb-a503-3d4838acd629.png\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dewcom.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/9dc4e56c-0498-4bcb-a503-3d4838acd629.png 1000w, https:\/\/dewcom.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/9dc4e56c-0498-4bcb-a503-3d4838acd629-300x98.png 300w, https:\/\/dewcom.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/9dc4e56c-0498-4bcb-a503-3d4838acd629-768x252.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\" style=\"font-size:clamp(38.682px, 2.418rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 3.786), 72px);\">The LGBTIAQ+ Conversation<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:32px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading alignwide has-text-color\" style=\"color:#07277c;margin-top:0.5rem;margin-bottom:1.01rem;font-size:clamp(19.481px, 1.218rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 1.309), 31px);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:1;text-transform:none\">1. A timeline of the LGBTIAQ+ conversation in the MCSA<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6c531013 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-5db7f8f3127d9cffe0c5bb3245c04ed5\" style=\"color:#010000;font-size:clamp(15.747px, 0.984rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.938), 24px);\">For a helpful timeline of what has occurred in this conversation since 2000, click <a href=\"https:\/\/dewcom.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A-timeline-of-the-LGBTIAQ-conversation-within-the-MCSA-and-DEWCOMs-contribution-to-it-1.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a>. (For a colour, visual version of the timeline, click <a href=\"https:\/\/dewcom.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/LGBTQ-Timeline-Colour-Visual-Version.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a>.)<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:32px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading alignwide has-text-color\" style=\"color:#07277c;margin-top:0.5rem;margin-bottom:1.01rem;font-size:clamp(19.481px, 1.218rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 1.309), 31px);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:1;text-transform:none\">2. The 2003 Conference Discussion Guide<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6c531013 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-7dacdedd43ec38c5d17c502481719640\" style=\"color:#010000;font-size:clamp(15.747px, 0.984rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.938), 24px);\">The 2003 Conference adopted a document entitled <em>Christians and Same-Sex Relationships: A Discussion Guide for the Methodist People of Southern Africa.<\/em> This document kickstarted the LGBTIAQ+ conversation in the MCSA in a tangible way. For a copy of the Discussion Guide, click <a href=\"https:\/\/dewcom.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Christians-and-Same-Sex-Relationships-A-Discussion-Guide-for-the-Methodist-People-of-Southern-Africa.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a>.<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:32px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading alignwide has-text-color\" style=\"color:#07277c;margin-top:0.5rem;margin-bottom:1.01rem;font-size:clamp(19.481px, 1.218rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 1.309), 31px);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:1;text-transform:none\">3. Conference resolutions dealing with same-sex relationships<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6c531013 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-38e87d151af2eee21c806dc711fab13c\" style=\"color:#010000;font-size:clamp(15.747px, 0.984rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.938), 24px);\">Numerous Conference resolutions relating to the LGBTIAQ+ conversation have been passed over the years. Click on the following links for the most significant of these: <a href=\"https:\/\/dewcom.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2005-Conference-Resolution-on-the-Same-Sex-Debate.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Conference 2005<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/dewcom.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2007-Conference-Resolution-on-the-Same-Sex-Debate.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Conference 2007<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/dewcom.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Conference-2010-Resolution-on-the-Same-Sex-Debate.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Conference 2010<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/dewcom.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A-Profession-of-the-MCSAs-Unity-and-Diversity-with-preamble-and-motivation.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Conference 2014<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/dewcom.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2017-Conference-Resolutions-relating-to-the-LGBTIQA-conversation.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Conference 2017<\/a>; an extensive DEWCOM report to Conference 2017 entitled <em><a href=\"https:\/\/dewcom.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Continuing-the-LGBTIQ-conversation.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Continuing the LGBTIQ Conversation<\/a><\/em>; <a href=\"https:\/\/dewcom.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2019-Conference-Resolutions-relating-to-the-LGBTIQA-conversation.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Conference 2019<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/dewcom.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2020-Conference-Resolution-Legal-rights-of-LGBTQI-Methodists.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Conference 2020<\/a>.<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:32px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading alignwide has-text-color\" style=\"color:#07277c;margin-top:0.5rem;margin-bottom:1.01rem;font-size:clamp(19.481px, 1.218rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 1.309), 31px);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:1;text-transform:none\">4. <em>In search of grace and truth<\/em><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6c531013 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-9ed2fc4aeb6c67eabee17b0e74dea631\" style=\"color:#010000;font-size:clamp(15.747px, 0.984rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.938), 24px);\">In 2010 DEWCOM published a book entitled, <em>In search of grace and truth: Christian conversations on same-sex relationships.<\/em> It dealt with 12 questions that are commonly asked within the LGBTIAQ+ conversation, offering divergent perspectives on each question. The book is currently out of print, but a digital copy can be purchased <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Search-Grace-Truth-Conversations-Relationships-ebook\/dp\/B00VDJEW92\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a>.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"187\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/dewcom.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/In-search-of-grace-and-truth-1-187x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-464\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dewcom.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/In-search-of-grace-and-truth-1-187x300.jpg 187w, https:\/\/dewcom.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/In-search-of-grace-and-truth-1.jpg 281w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 187px) 100vw, 187px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:32px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading alignwide has-text-color\" style=\"color:#07277c;margin-top:0.5rem;margin-bottom:1.01rem;font-size:clamp(19.481px, 1.218rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 1.309), 31px);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:1;text-transform:none\">5. A profession of the MCSA&#8217;s unity and diversity<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6c531013 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-d02b3100df62020c9bb104e647a86eb7\" style=\"color:#010000;font-size:clamp(15.747px, 0.984rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.938), 24px);\">At the 2014 Conference, DEWCOM presented a profession of faith entitled <em>A profession of the MCSA&#8217;s unity and diversity within the context of the Church&#8217;s conversation on same-sex relationships.<\/em> The intention of the profession was to find a form of words that would honestly and truthfully express the divergent convictions sincerely held within the MCSA concerning same-sex relationships, while at the same time affirming our shared beliefs and the unity that continues to hold us together. Conference endorsed this profession of faith and has included it in the MCSA&#8217;s <em>Book of Order<\/em>. For a copy of this profession, click <a href=\"https:\/\/dewcom.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A-Profession-of-the-MCSAs-Unity-and-Diversity-with-preamble-and-motivation.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a>.<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:32px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading alignwide has-text-color\" style=\"color:#07277c;margin-top:0.5rem;margin-bottom:1.01rem;font-size:clamp(19.481px, 1.218rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 1.309), 31px);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:1;text-transform:none\">6. Connexional LGBTIAQ+ Task Team<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6c531013 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-ab71089edf7c37f5bc5a0c8129c61c7b\" style=\"color:#010000;font-size:clamp(15.747px, 0.984rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.938), 24px);\">This task team was constituted at the Conference of 2019 and convened by the Presiding Bishop, in response to a resolution that called for a deliberate safe space to be created for LGBTIAQ+ persons. For a short statement on the multi-faceted purpose of this task team, click <a href=\"https:\/\/dewcom.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/The-purpose-of-the-LGBTIAQ-task-team.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a>.<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:32px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading alignwide has-text-color\" style=\"color:#07277c;margin-top:0.5rem;margin-bottom:1.01rem;font-size:clamp(19.481px, 1.218rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 1.309), 31px);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:1;text-transform:none\">7. Archive of papers <\/h1>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6c531013 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-b69451ba23b9744513373b262f9599e0\" style=\"color:#010000;font-size:clamp(15.747px, 0.984rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.938), 24px);\">Over the years, many different papers have been prepared by or presented to DEWCOM on the LGBTIAQ+ conversation. For a sampling of these, please visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/dewcom.org\/index.php\/archive\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"15\">archive page<\/a> of this site.<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>1. A timeline of the LGBTIAQ+ conversation in the MCSA For a helpful timeline of what has occurred in this conversation since 2000, click here. (For a colour, visual version of the timeline, click here.) 2. The 2003 Conference Discussion Guide The 2003 Conference adopted a document entitled Christians and Same-Sex Relationships: A Discussion Guide [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":69,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-281","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dewcom.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/281","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dewcom.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dewcom.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dewcom.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dewcom.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=281"}],"version-history":[{"count":46,"href":"https:\/\/dewcom.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/281\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":697,"href":"https:\/\/dewcom.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/281\/revisions\/697"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dewcom.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/69"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dewcom.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=281"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}