Disciples’ broad welcome to gays is not a change in policy, says leader
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) approved a resolution at its recent general assembly in Orlando, Florida, that called upon its churches to affirm that no grounds exist to bar Christians from fellowship or service within congregations because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Nine church-related LGBT groups, including the National Religious Leadership Roundtable, cheered on July 18 the “major step” taken by the Disciples during their July 13–17 assembly. A Lutheran gay-rights group congratulated the Disciples for “eliminating barriers for service from pew to pulpit, coffee hour to the altar.”
Seeking to allay concerns of church members opposed to gay clergy and same-sex marriage, Sharon Watkins, general minister and president of the Disciples, posted an online letter July 19 to church members outlining what the resolution did not say.
