Topic #8: Churches and the LGBT Community (February 2016)

Conversation Partners:

• Tim Otto, Associate Pastor, Church of the Sojourners
• Weldon Nisly, Retired Pastor, Seattle Mennonite Church
• Father Chris Schutte, Christ Church Phoenix

Leading Question: Different Christian churches have taken various positions relative to their engagements with LGBT individuals, a number of which are variations of the following general categories:

• Welcoming but not affirming
• Welcoming and affirming
• Accepting, without taking a position relative to “welcoming” and/or “affirming” because the theological issues are “disputed matters” and we agree to allow disagreement

How do you recommend that churches engage with LGBT individuals and why?”