Listening to the Spirit: A Handbook for Discernment

Rating:
Summary: Let those who can hear, hear...
Review: One of the 'hot-button' issues in the church today is homosexuality. Almost every major denomination has had to make some sort of statement regarding the issue at regional, national and international levels within the past few years. This is an issue that often generates more heat than light, as they say, because it touches deeply-held convictions and emotions that go to the core of identity as human beings as well as what it means to be a Christian. If recent history is any guide, it serves to tell us that this issue is far from over, and the discussions, debates, and arguments are a long way from being settled in any definitive and satisfactory manner.

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is one of the mainline denominations currently struggling to find answers to this issue. Different regions have different policies about acceptance; even within regions, it is often a local matter as to whether a congregation is going to be 'gay-friendly' or adhere to 'traditional values' (there are other labels that might apply, and I must also state having applied these that I do agree that labeling on the whole is generally unhelpful). This book, designed by a committee within the CC(DoC) appointed by General Minister Richard Hamm, seeks to use the process of discernment to approach the issue, rather than more directly-oppositional forms of engagement. The committee was formed from a diverse group of people, including seven women and seven men; it intentionally included three people who were gay or lesbian as well as three people whose idea of homosexuality is that it is a sin.

Discernment can be a long process, and indeed, true discernment is never completely finished. Discernment doesn't force issues or call for votes, but rather waits and listens as people share their stories, their understanding of biblical stories and texts, share worship experiences, and assumes no specific outcome by a particular timetable.

This is a practical guide, designed for use in congregation or regional-sized groups. While it is designed specifically with the CC(DoC) denominational structure in mind, it can be readily adapted to almost any particular framework. There are sample worship liturgies to be used by the groups, Bible studies and recommended questions for consideration, and suggestions for further work. The book divides the process into seven stages, but these are not meant to be applied for a set time period of seven weeks or seven months; certain stages may take longer, and other stages may take less time.

As the chapter on preparation makes clear, there will be times (regardless of what side one finds oneself) where there will be disagreement and discomfort with the process, and perhaps with others engaged in the process. This is to be expected, and should be accepted as part of the 'cost' of doing the important work of discernment.

The text gets high marks from me for referring to scholars in the fields of theology, biblical studies, and ministry such as Luke Timothy Johnson and Walter Wink. The bibliography is a valuable resource. It also gets high marks from me for not having a bias against either side, but rather works to bring all voices to the table for inclusion and understanding.