All One Body Recommends Course of Action by Synod
All One Body recommends that the best course of action for Synod 2023 is to reverse “confessional status” of Synod 2022’s definition of “unchastity” in Heidelberg Catechism Q & A 108 and encourage continuing study and discussion of human sexuality. We have reviewed the relevant Overtures and have culled what we believe are the strongest grounds for our recommended action, and summarize them here for easy access by synodical delegates and other interested readers. To aid in accessing more detailed content, each ground is followed by various source data including the Overture number and relevant page numbers in the Agenda for Synod 2023. We encourage readers to share this document with interested parties, including delegates to Synod.
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WELCOMING & AFFIRMING CRC CONGREGATIONS
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At this time, eleven churches of the CRCNA are on record as welcoming and affirming those who identify as LGBTQIA+. You can read their position statements in this compilation document. More CRC congregations are moving in that direction and will be added to this composite document as those churches become known to us. If you are a member of such a church, our hope at All One Body and Hesed Project CRC is that these exemplars will encourage your congregation and provide useful language and supporting rationale for your own affirming stance.
Blessed be God in whose image all are made. Blessed be the church of Christ which has many parts but is one body.
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THE CRC DECLARES SAME-SEX MARRIAGE SINFUL
Synod is the broadest assembly and official decision-making body of the CRC. Its agenda for June 2022 included a highly controversial Human Sexuality Report (HSR). Prior to June, in response to the report’s problematic content, judgmental tone, and divisive recommendations, All One Body communicated its deep concern primarily in the form of video responses by competent affirming voices (cf. HUMAN SEXUALITY VIDEO RESPONSE LIBRARY).
Synod 2022, however, embraced the report and its recommendations. In effect, it declared that same-sex marriage is sinful and, further, that all CRC leaders and members are expected to comply with this interpretation. Within this changed reality, All One Body continues to advocate for support and encouragement to LGBTQ+ persons within our congregations, as well as resources and guidance for Christian leaders who desire the full participation of confessing LGBTQ+ Christians within God’s Church
(cf. SYNOD 2022 VIDEO RESPONSE LIBRARY).
Synod 2022, however, embraced the report and its recommendations. In effect, it declared that same-sex marriage is sinful and, further, that all CRC leaders and members are expected to comply with this interpretation. Within this changed reality, All One Body continues to advocate for support and encouragement to LGBTQ+ persons within our congregations, as well as resources and guidance for Christian leaders who desire the full participation of confessing LGBTQ+ Christians within God’s Church
(cf. SYNOD 2022 VIDEO RESPONSE LIBRARY).
WE'RE HERE FOR YOU
LGBTQ+ CHRISTIANSResources for those holding faith & orientation/identity in harmony
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ALLIES & FAMILIESResources for those with
a queer loved one |
FAITH COMMUNITIESResources for congregations creating generous, grace-filled spaces
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The church's treatment of homosexuality has become the greatest heresy in the history of the church. It's living heresy because it's treating God's children as if they're not God's children. And if there's any heresy in the world, it's that. – Dr. Lewis B. Smedes
Three Queer Pastors Address the Question: What Does it Look Like to Have a Flourishing Church and to Share the Abundant Life?In this presentation, Bethany Joy Winn, Nicholas Hopkins, and Ricardo Tavarez will challenge you to work with the Spirit toward that abundant life. You will also learn how the church has been missing the diverse gifts that can enrich our worship, strengthen our faith, challenge our traditions, and and reveal new paths of kingdom service.
"Anyone with ears to hear must listen and understand what the Spirit is saying to the Church."
Trigger Warning: Suicide, Mental Health, Homophobia, and Transphobia. This recording contains material related to the church's treatment of persons who identify as LGBTQ+ and may evoke a strong emotional response.
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MISSION
All One Body promotes unrestricted participation in all areas of church life by all members who confess Christ as Savior and Lord, whether single or partnered, without regard to sexual orientation or gender identity. We seek to challenge the voices of fear and accusation that condemn and exclude, that marginalize some and privilege others. We will create generous and grace-filled spaces in which we can all be informed by direct personal engagement through the sharing of our stories.
All One Body promotes unrestricted participation in all areas of church life by all members who confess Christ as Savior and Lord, whether single or partnered, without regard to sexual orientation or gender identity. We seek to challenge the voices of fear and accusation that condemn and exclude, that marginalize some and privilege others. We will create generous and grace-filled spaces in which we can all be informed by direct personal engagement through the sharing of our stories.
