Is It Time?: Helping Laity and Clergy Discuss Homosexuality One Question at a Time

Conversations about human sexuality are taking place all over The United Methodist Church--in local congregations, among leaders, and in conferences. Adolf Hansen, an ordained elder who is theologian-in-residence at St. Luke’s UMC, Indianapolis, contributes to this conversation by presenting questions for laity and clergy to explore as they engage in open dialogue in an atmosphere of mutual respect, even when the conversation partners disagree.

The author says, "My hope is that persons who read this book will become aware of the wide variety of issues related to the subject of homosexuality; will be encouraged to reflect on each of them; will think through the meaning of whatever answers they give to the questions the book raises; will grapple with the implications of the stances they take; and will engage in conversations with others—both in a one-on-one setting and in a group." (from the Introduction)

When we do that, he argues, we can move on to the wider issues and give our full attention to the mission of the Church: to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

From the Faultlines collection, resources intended to inform conversations around human sexuality and the church.

Adolf Hansen is Theologian in Residence, St. Luke s United Methodist Church in Indianapolis, Indiana, and Senior Scholar and Vice President Emeritus, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois.