Biblical Sexuality Symposium Scheduled for Pastors and Teachers

What is the Symposium on Biblical Sexuality and why is it happening?

The genesis of this discussion came from listening to our field. In 2019, two years prior to President David Jamieson arriving, the UCC Office of Education conducted a visioning process. During that process, our educators and pastors shared that they were dealing with issues relating to LGBTQ+ and requested tools and training in how to appropriately respond. So began the journey of what it might look like to provide a safe space for gaining clarity on how to uphold the Biblical position on human sexuality as understood by the Seventh-day Adventist Church while expressing the gracious love of Jesus Christ toward all people. Recognizing that this was a pressing need, conference leadership agreed to provide an appropriate time and space for that discussion. We ask you to join us in keeping this time together in your prayers.

Our purpose

The purpose is to equip and empower our pastors and educators with education, guidance, and approaches that are Biblically grounded, relationship-based, and grace-filled in 100% harmony with the GC and NAD Statement on Human Sexuality (see news.uccsda.org/GCsexuality).

Biblically Grounded

As Seventh-day Adventists, we accept the Bible as our only creed and hold certain fundamental beliefs to be the teaching of the Holy Scriptures. To help set the foundation, Richard Davidson, Old Testament Scholar and author of Flame of Yahweh, will lead us through what Scripture says about human sexuality.

Relationship-based

We will hear the testimony of Michael Carducci from Coming Out Ministries about how a church loved him and the Spirit moved in his life. After setting the foundation, we focus on the practical nature of building relationships. Bill Henson from PostureShift Ministries will provide practical guidance focusing on faithfully honoring God and radically loving people.

Grace-filled

Jesus has paid the price for each one of us! This grace is truly amazing. As we look forward to how the rubber will meet the road, we look back to Jesus Christ as a model. As understood through Ellen White’s writings, Christ’s method alone provides us with just such a model.

How does this symposium relate to the official position of the Church?

To assist us in the planning, we have developed some guiding principles to ensure that this training is 100% in harmony with the GC and NAD statement on human sexuality.

• We believe in and uphold the traditional Biblical view of heterosexual marriage as a loving relationship between one man and one woman for life, male and female.
  
  
• We believe that any sexual activity outside the circle of a heterosexual marriage is defined by scripture as sinful.
  
  
• We believe that homosexual activity, like all sinful behavior, needs to be radically repented of and forgiven by the redeeming grace and power of Jesus Christ.
  
  
• We believe in Christ’s transforming power to live according to Biblical truth as we surrender our will to Him and allow Him to live out His life within us.
  
  
• We believe that Scripture calls us to follow the example of Jesus Christ to love, care for, and minister to all individuals, no matter their circumstances or choices.

• We believe that we can radically love and accept people without affirming a particular choice of lifestyle that is not in harmony with Scripture.

This event is reserved for UCC pastors and teachers only.

If you have questions or concerns about this symposium, please contact the communications department at communications@uccsda.org.

This information is also available via a flier.