What is the church doing to minister to homosexuals?
The first thing that needs to be said is that God loves every human being, no matter who we are or what we struggle with. He loves us because He made us, and we are His children.
There are no simple answers for those who are dealing with questions about their sexuality. Human beings were created by God with maleness and femaleness embedded at the very core of their identity. And it is clear from the creation account that God intended everyone to enjoy close bonds of intimacy with other human beings and that the sexual relationship between a man and woman within a marriage partnership is one of God's most precious gifts. It can be heartbreaking for an individual who longs for a partner to contemplate a lifetime without such a relationship--whether because of a disability, or because they are a Christian single who has simply not found a marriage partner, or because Scripture allows no place for sexual intimacy with a same-sex partner.
There are many areas in which people struggle where the church cannot have a specialized ministry. However individuals facing the challenge of homosexual desire, and the deep sense of loss that often accompanies their commitment to live celibately, need to feel the care and support of the church as they struggle to live their lives in keeping with Scriptural principles regarding sexuality.
The church also works to link individuals with available professional resources which can provide the level of expertise necessary to help. In many parts of the world there are professionals who can provide counseling and support and your pastor or local conference should be able to access referral information for those who want to seek assistance.
I feel God wants me to become a pastor, but I am gay. What should I do?
You should follow God’s leading. Following His leading, though, not only refers to preparing for and entering His ministry, but adopting His personal plan for your life. The Bible in several places (Leviticus 20:7-21; Romans 1:26, 27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11) speaks strongly against gay or lesbian sexual relationships--living an active homosexual lifestyle. This means that the biblical expectation is for those who believe they have a homosexual orientation to live a celibate life or to limit sexual activity to within a husband-and-wife marriage situation. This is true whether the homosexual person is a pastor or not, but as a pastor and leader of God’s people, obedience to His will is paramount.
If people, particularly church members, discover you are homosexual, they may not understand that you can be a pastor or even a Christian. You will need God’s grace and a forgiving spirit to handle these times. But if God wants you to be a pastor, He will give you the strength and the courage to be what He wants you to be. Following His will for you will lead to a more fulfilling life that you can imagine.
What is the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s stand on gay marriage?
You will find a position statement by the church at www.adventist.org/beliefs/statements under “same sex unions.” The church takes the biblical position, which recognizes marriage only between a man and a woman.
Here is how the position statement concludes: “It is very clear that God's Word does not countenance a homosexual lifestyle; neither has the Christian Church throughout her 2000 year history. Seventh-day Adventists believe that the biblical teaching is still valid today, because it is anchored in the very nature of humanity and God's plan at creation for marriage.”
Can a gay or lesbian person go to heaven?
Yes. A person does not go to heaven because of strengths or weaknesses of personality or character, or even the type of sin they may have committed. We all sin (Romans 3:23) and the only solution to the sin problem is a faith relationship with Jesus. Revelation pictures that among those outside God’s city, the New Jerusalem, will be the sexually immoral (a much broader category than homosexual). They are outside with murderers, sorcerers, idol worshippers and “all who love to live a lie” (Revelation 22:15, NLT).
God’s kingdom is inhabited with saved sinners, including those who have practiced sorcery, idolatry and immorality, or even committed murder. The difference between those inside the gates and those outside is that those inside have accepted Jesus as their Savior, their sins have been washed away and they have been made right with God (1 Corinthians 6:9-11, which also lists “homosexuals” among those who have been made right with God).
Just as Jesus told the woman caught in adultery that he forgave her, but she should now go and sin no more (John 8:11), He tells His forgiven and accepted people to live the life they should. The kinds of sins listed in Revelation “have no place among God’s people” (Ephesians 5:3-9, NLT) because they draw people away from the relationship they have with Him. Inside God’s kingdom will be those who have struggled with their sins of hatred of others, or idolatry, or living a lie, or sexual misconduct even while they have been His followers. But they have put their relationship with God first and won the victory through Him.
What should be the attitude of the church toward homosexuals and homosexuality?
The church has a position on homosexuality that is worth checking out. It can be found at www.adventist.org/beliefs/statements under homosexuality. Basically it states that sexual intimacy should only take place between a man and a woman, within marriage. It notes that the Bible does not permit homosexuality activity or relationships.
Homosexuals need understanding and love from the church and church members. The Bible is strong in its condemnation of homosexuality (Leviticus 20:7-21; Romans 1:26-32; 1 Corinthians 6:9,10). However, that does not excuse the church or members condemning individuals who may be caught up in this kind of lifestyle--for the Bible is just as strong in telling us to love our neighbors as ourselves (Leviticus 19:18; Luke 10:27-37; Romans 13:9).
The position statement says it this way, “Jesus affirmed the dignity of all human beings and reached out compassionately to persons and families suffering the consequences of sin. He offered caring ministry and words of solace to struggling people, while differentiating His love for sinners from His clear teaching about sinful practices.”