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Preface
The Adventist
Gay/Lesbian Ministry was founded upon the Official Position Statement on Homosexuality made by the General
Conference in 1999. The ministry was originated by the San Francisco Central SDA Church, with the approval of the Central California Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
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We expect the recently released article (See link at left) in the
December 2001 issue of the Pacific Union Recorder , to increase the number
of comments and issues discussed. Please CLICK HERE to direct your questions and comments to our administration group in order that we may more fully understand and address them.
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(If you have difficulty viewing the PDF file, click here for instructions)
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The ministry is
committed to helping churches, schools, organizations and individuals throughout the church
to dispel the stigma of having homosexual tendencies, in a way that is true to Biblical
principles through an understanding of the issues related to Same Gender Attraction (SGA).
This stigma and fear does not only affect the persons with SGA, but also their families
and friends. It is not our mission to argue the stance of the SDA Church on the issues, but
rather to accept, uphold, and apply them in our outreach ministry.
Also please review our "Help Wanted" section if you feel inclined to help this ministry by becoming a liaison for your church, with your talents, or financially.
Thank you
Introduction
If you are visiting our site for the first time, please
make sure that you view our introduction presentation by clicking
here.
Our Site's Mission
To
help fulfill the Seventh-day Adventist mission in these latter days by
reaching out to those who experience SGA (Same Gender Attraction) and
introducing them to the love, peace, and comfort of our Lord, Jesus Christ,
through the power of the Holy Spirit, and for the glory of God.
About
Us
This
ministry exists under the direct guidance and control of SDA church leadership. Our
website and ministry resources are being developed through active cooperation
between SDA church leaders, church members, and the gay community itself,
to achieve within approved SDA guidelines an approach that is Biblical
in principle and Christ-like in action.. The SDA Church bases its doctrinal
positions on scriptural principles. We present the Gospel (the good news
of God's love and salvation) in ways which point to Jesus Christ as both
Saviour and Lord of our lives. Thus we speak out against self-destructive
practices such as drinking, smoking, and extra-marital sex. We teach that
moral decisions should be made in the light of Biblical teachings.
Position
We believe
that Same Gender Attraction is not a choice nor a sin in itself. We uphold
the belief that God at Creation designed human sexuality to be expressed
only in loving, mutually consenting acts between a man and a woman within
the boundaries of marriage. We believe that it is the work of the Holy
Spirit rather than human effort that should determine this conviction
in persons. While we do not condone or approve acts or attitudes that
are in violation of these principles, we recognize that it is not our
right or responsibility to pry into private lives." We cannot judge relationships,
but neither can we recommend or approve of any relationship involving
sexual intimacies other than within the marital relationship of a man
and a woman. We believe that when those who experience Same Gender Attraction
no longer feel rejected by the church and condemned by the Bible, sexual
issues will not be such a big focus of their lives. We hope to accomplish
this through the love of Jesus, and the warmth of our church family.
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