2004 World Conference Legislation

H-10 Human Sexuality Task Force Report

(Submitted to World Conference 2004)

To the First Presidency and the World Conference:

The Human Sexuality Task Force was appointed by the First Presidency in 1995 to study a wide range of issues pertaining to human sexuality. In response to action in the 1996 World Conference and subsequent Conferences, the primary focus of the task force has been on issues related to sexual orientation, specifically homosexuality.

In an effort to better understand and address those issues, the Committee on homosexuality and the Church was formed by the First Presidency following the 2002 World Conference “(1) to provide overview and guidance to the churchwide dialogue process and (2) to make recommendations to the First Presidency regarding future policy or guidelines.” In its work, the Committee has formed subcommittees to give focused attention to (1) the dialogue process, (2) policy development, and (3) communication with the church. An interim report was published in the May 2003 Herald, and an update on the “Listening Circles” method to foster dialogue was published in the March 2004 Herald. The work of this committee is reported to this Conference elsewhere in this bulletin. We are grateful for the work of the Committee, especially Robert Clothier, Don Compier, Ellen Frye, and Sandee Gamet, who served on both the task force and the committee.

The task force during this biennium has focused on developing a theological, conceptual framework for discussion of issues on human sexuality within the context of our faith tradition and scriptural interpretation. The task force has forwarded to the First Presidency an outline for further discussion and consideration.

Second, the members have extensively surveyed information about how the issues related to human sexuality have been handled by Christian denominations and ecumenical organizations around the world. The members of the task force have reviewed several resources that might be helpful to members and congregations engaging in educational sessions on human sexuality, providing support for parents and youth leaders in discussing relevant issues of human sexuality, and giving suggested sources for further exploration.

Christian denominations have diverse and varying views on human sexuality. The task force encourages congregations to be engaged in dialogue as a part of the world community faithfully struggling with the difficult cultural, social, and religious issues surrounding human sexuality in all its expressions. Disciples and congregations are encouraged in all discussions of ethical behavior, moral action, and spiritual formation and maturation to actively seek God’s will and foster relational unity as a gift of the Holy Spirit, and not solely as a human accomplishment.

General comments and inquiries to the task force should be addressed to Gary W. Logan, 1001 West Walnut, Independence MO 64050; e-mail: glogan@CofChrist.org.

Carol Cavin, secretary
Dennis Clinefelter
Robert W. Clothier
Clive Davis
Jeanne Earnest
Andrew Fox
Ellen Frye
Sandee Gamet
Ray Hogue
Gary Logan, chair
Sue McLaughlin
Matthew Naylor
David Schaal
Forrest Swall