Mid-America Union Statement on Homosexuality

by Roscoe J. Howard III, president

Seventh-day Adventists are committed to traditional marriage between a man and a woman as a legacy of our Judeo-Christian heritage. The Bible makes clear that homosexuality violates natural relations as ordained by our Creator (e.g., Romans 1:22-28). Thus we could not honor the Scriptures while also supporting homosexual conduct. Since God's grace reaches out to everyone, homosexuals are welcome to find fellowship and healing in attending Adventist worship services. But anyone who becomes a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, or is an employee of the denomination, must be willing to limit sexual behavior within sacred matrimony between a man and a woman.

And here is the official Seventh-day Adventist position statement on homosexuality, which was voted at the 1999 Annual Conference Session.

Official SDA Position Statement on Homosexuality

The Seventh-day Adventist Church recognizes that every human being is valuable in the sight of God, and we seek to minister to all men and women in the spirit of Jesus. We also believe that by God's grace and through the encouragement of the community of faith, an individual may live in harmony with the principles of God's Word.

Seventh-day Adventists believe that sexual intimacy belongs only within the marital relationship of a man and a woman. This was the design established by God at creation. The Scriptures declare: "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh" (Gen. 2:24, NIV). Throughout Scripture this heterosexual pattern is affirmed. The Bible makes no accommodation for homosexual activity or relationships. Sexual acts outside the circle of a heterosexual marriage are forbidden (Lev. 20:7-21; Rom. 1:24-27; 1 Cor. 6:9-11). Jesus Christ reaffirmed the divine creation intent: "'Haven't you read,' he replied, 'that at the beginning the Creator "made them male and female," and said, "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh?" So they are no longer two, but one'" (Matt. 19:4-6, NIV). For these reasons Adventists are opposed to homosexual practices and relationships.

Seventh-day Adventists endeavor to follow the instruction and example of Jesus. He 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.