News from the Gay, Lesbian, and Affirming Disciples Alliance

Contents: May 2005

Disciples General Board Unanimously Denounces Violence and Hateful Speech Toward LGBT Persons

The Disciples General Board has unanimously approved a "Sense-of-the-Assembly" resolution which "denounces all forms of spiritual and physical violence against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons, including language meant to demonize and vilify."

The item was submitted by four Disciples congregations: University Christian Church, San Diego, CA; National City Christian Church, Washington, DC; North Side Christian Church, Omaha, NE; and Park Avenue Christian Church, New York, NY; in cooperation with the GLAD Alliance.

The resolution will make its way to the floor of the General Assembly on the morning of Monday, July 25, according to Chris Hobgood, General Minister and President. GLAD members are encouraged to be present.

The resolution also calls the church back to its own process of discernment "concerning the gospel message to the church as we related to lesbian and gay Christians." The discernment process has not been staffed or funded since about 2002.

The item specifically directs the Office of General Minister and President to

• appoint a team of volunteer Disciples to develop a strategic plan to promote and monitor progress of the discernement process for Disciples
• work with appropriate organizations and individuals -- within and beyond Disciples -- to secure alternative funding sources
• encourage use of existing discernment materials, "Listening to the Spirit" and
• report back to the General Assembly at each gathering on progress.

See the full text of the resolution here:  http://www.disciples.org/ga05/resolutions/0514.htm