These resources were collected by Immanuel’s RIC team to answer frequently asked questions.
Transforming: The Bible and the Lives of Transgender Christians– by Austen Hartke
Shameless by Nadia Boltz-Weber
You-ology- A Puberty Guide for Every Body–by Katheryn Lowe, Melisa Holmes, and Patricia Hutchison
The statement provides guidance on key matters, such as marriage, family, same-gender relationships, protection of children and youth, sexuality and the self, sexual intimacy and cohabitation. This social statement was adopted by the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly.
In our work, we often hear people with good intentions feel they aren’t able to ask questions about what it means to be LGBTQIA+ because they are afraid of offending someone or they don’t have the right words with which to ask. If this sounds familiar, or if your faith community is interested in how to better support LGBTQIA+ Lutherans, then the “Clunky Questions” series is for you.
What words are most supportive to describe LGBTQIA + people and relationships? How do I speak without malice about those whose opinions differ from my own? What do the words and terms mean?
Here is a 15-minute video produced by ELCA member Jon Aaseng (Valley of Christ, Frenchtown) on the church’s 2009 decision to welcome LGBTQIA+ people with full and open hearts.
Montana Synod pastors are interviewed, including John Lund, Jean Larson, Carl Rohr, and former bishop Jessica Crist. It’s a fine overview of how and why the ELCA has come to our current commitment of welcome.
A short commentary on eight of the so-called “clobber passages” used to exclude LGBTQIA+ people from the body of Christ, alongside eight Bible passages that offer inclusive and expansive understandings of the nature of God’s welcome. Book for purchase.
Did you know that the average lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual person comes out at the age of 16? This means that there is a high chance that we will have an LGBTQIA+ youth in our congregation.
Check out this page for resources on serving youth.
Cancer is devastating for anyone, with its impact often affecting all aspects of a person’s life. However, the challenges of navigating a cancer diagnosis can be even more difficult for members of the LGBTQ+ community, who often face discrimination and disparities in health care. Not only do many of these individuals not have access to the same level of quality health care as those who do not identify as LGBTQ+, but the fear of discrimination may prevent them from seeking the treatment they need
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