Same-Sex Marriage: New Challenges, New Opportunities

In the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision on same-sex marriage, many people are wondering how the new law will affect the church. We asked a professor, a pastor, a denominational superintendent, and the president of the National Association of Evangelicals what the Supreme Court ruling on same sex marriage will change—and won’t change—for churches. Here are their responses.

Trouble Ahead: Stephen Monsma

The Supreme Court’s Obergefell v. Hodges decision has—at least for now—settled the question whether or not same-sex couples have the same legal right to marry as do male-female couples. But the question it did not settle is what religious-freedom protections there are for persons, organizations, and churches with religious beliefs that do not allow them to accept same-sex marriages as true marriages.

Two facets of Justice Kennedy’s majority opinion raise deeply troubling concerns about how this question is likely to be settled in the future. First, the opinion repeatedly declares the enunciated right of same-sex couples to marry is a “fundamental right” guaranteed by the Constitution and basic to persons’ dignity as full citizens. If a right is fundamental and crucial to one’s acceptance as a respected member of society, will future courts hold a person or organization may ignore or “violate” it, even for sincerely-held religious reasons?

Second, in a brief reference to the decision’s implications for those whose religious beliefs lead them to a different conclusion, it assures them that they will continue to have the right to advocate and teach their beliefs, but—as Chief Justice Roberts’ dissent points out—it ominously says nothing about their freedom to act on their beliefs.

Christian organizations can best protect themselves by, first, being very clear and explicit in their Christian character and commitments.

Christian organizations can best protect themselves by, first, being very clear and explicit in their Christian character and commitments (a court is less likely to protect the religious freedom of an organization that seems less than fully serious about its religious commitment). Second, Christian organizations should present a united front by joining with other faith-based organizations in defending their religious freedom. There are many organizations striving to allow religious organizations protect their religious liberty, including the Institutional Religious Freedom Alliance, the Alliance Defending Freedom, and the Christian Legal Society's Center for Law and Religious Freedom.

Stephen Monsma is senior research fellow at Calvin College’s Henry Institute for the Study of Christianity and Politics and co-author with Stanley Carlson-Thies of the forthcoming, Free to Serve: Protecting the Religious Freedom of Faith-Based Organizations (Brazos).

The Loving Opposition: Jo Anne Lyon

The Supreme Court decision regarding same-sex marriage doesn’t change the core mission of God, or even our strategy on living out the mission. We are still in the business of seeing lives and communities transformed by God’s amazing grace. The church is thriving worldwide, even in places where the law of the land is not in alignment with Christian sexual ethics, which has been true since the days of the New Testament.

This decision also does not change, and should not infringe upon, our religious freedom. In the majority opinion of this decision from Justice Kennedy, it reads: “… The First Amendment ensures that religious organizations and persons are given proper protection as they seek to teach the principles that are so fulfilling and so central to their lives.”

This decision doesn’t change the mission we’ve been given or the hope we offer the world. We continue to work to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, racial and economic inequality, trafficking of vulnerable people, killing of the unborn, marginalization of immigrants, exploitation of creation, and other sins of our culture. We are still working to see justice roll on like a river, and righteousness like a never-failing stream! (Amos 5:24). However, this ruling has altered the context in which we minister. This law of the land is now contrary to beliefs of Christians with an orthodox view of Scripture. This is not the first law passed that is contrary to our beliefs; it is merely the most recent one.

We believe that human sexuality reflects God’s image in terms of intimate love, communication, and fellowship. God’s plan for human sexuality is to be expressed only in a monogamous, lifelong relationship between one man and one woman within the framework of marriage.

We understand that our beliefs on same-sex marriage will be a disappointment to some. We will continue to love all people, but we do not perform weddings of same-sex couples in any country, and while people may have rights in the country that we will respect, we will not treat that as a God-ordained marriage blessed by the church.

We will also seek to protect our religious freedom when it is threatened. We want to talk about this matter with respect and compassion, with faithfulness to our beliefs. We minister to all people, regardless of beliefs, behaviors, or status in life. All are welcomed so that we can offer selfless service and safe friendships within a supportive community. That authentic community is only possible with scriptural discipleship where transformation is sought, and where second chances are offered with compassion and grace. This kind of grace-filled, scripturally informed, and Christ-transformed ministry is how we should approach this matter.

Jo Anne Lyon is the General Superintendent of the Wesleyan Church.

Too Early to Tell: Leith Anderson

Right now this doesn't change much of anything for churches. Same-sex marriage has already been legal in many states where churches have continued to minister as they have always ministered.

Changes will be decided by each church as it chooses how to faithfully teach and live the Bible in a changing society. There are lots of predictions about what will happen in the next 10 years, but most are just guesses. The truth is we just don't know yet.

Churches, colleges, and other Christian organizations are going to be on high alert watching out for possible discrimination against them for holding onto biblical values. Because evangelicals prioritize evangelism, many churches are trying to figure out how to effectively evangelize while disagreeing with societal and legal trends. Many are minimizing talk about same-sex marriage and maximizing talk about salvation and Christian living.

Church leaders are trying to figure out what to say and do. Most continue to believe as they have previously believed and uphold traditional biblical marriage. I tell them that the Bible, the gospel, and the church were all founded by God and are empowered by God. I have full confidence in God's ability to do good in every situation.

Leith Anderson is president of the National Association of Evangelicals and pastor emeritus of Wooddale Church in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.

A Test of Unity: Anonymous

I lead a church in an urban neighborhood with a strong LGBT presence. We gather for worship just steps from our city's Gay Pride parade, which followed on the heels of the Supreme Court decision to legalize same-sex marriage.

Until this past weekend, I had not addressed LGBT issues in any public way, given our work to build trust and goodwill in our city and neighborhood. On Sundays I preach the gospel, aware that spiritually curious neighbors may be in our midst. If they choose to follow Jesus, I engage matters of sexuality in individual conversations in the course of discipleship.

But over the weekend I realized it would be pastoral malpractice for me to stay silent. Our congregation all felt a certain degree of confusion and anxiety in the wake of the cultural moment. When I looked at my Facebook feed, I felt the tremors of division within my flock. Some were jubilant over the Supreme Court’s decision, unsure if they could share their excitement at church. Others were deeply concerned and wanted to hear me take a strong stand. Many felt torn between their love for their LGBT friends and their Christian commitments and association.

After consulting with some other key advisors, I decided to draft a statement addressing the elephant in the room from the pulpit. In this statement I acknowledged that the same-sex marriage decision was on everyone’s mind, and that people were in different places on it. Drawing on Jesus’ call to love God and neighbor with all our hearts, I exhorted everyone to practice active listening with each other, with the LGBT community, and with God. I concluded by affirming the historic teachings of the Christian church on human dignity and marriage, and announced an upcoming teaching series on sexuality, gender, and marriage.

The response was encouraging; I saw anxiety turn into trust. The congregation expressed appreciation that the statement was both direct yet disarming. And even though I only mentioned it in passing, there was a surprising level of interest in the upcoming teaching series.

It’s difficult to say exactly how this new law will affect our community in the days of ahead. But at least so far, it has provided a teachable moment and a chance to foster unity, even around a difficult topic. The hunger for pastoral leadership and theological education on sexuality was more acute than I realized.

Anonymous is the pastor of an inner-city church in a large, American city.