GC30 Sexual Orientation (1984S256)

Acknowledgements and Affirmations

1. We affirm our acceptance of all human beings as persons made in the image of God, regardless of their sexual orientations.

   Accumulated social science research and the articulated experience of the vast majority of both heterosexual and homosexual men and women affirm that sexual orientation is not so much a matter of choice, as a “given” aspect of one’s identity, resulting probably from a complex interaction of genetic and environmental factors.

2. We affirm salvation for all people is by grace through faith and that all believers in Christ are accepted as full members of the Christian church, regardless of their sexual orientation

   We acknowledge that the church has encouraged, condoned and tolerated the rejection and persecution of homosexual persons in society and in the church, and call it to repent.

3. We affirm that the church is called to initiate and encourage communication and discussion with homosexual believers about sexuality in order that fellowship may be increased and misunderstanding, fears and hostilities lessened.

   In learning more about sexual orientation the church can benefit from the input of the homosexual community which is working to articulate its own history, understanding of sexuality and its relationship to the broader church and society.

4. We affirm that members of the church, individually and corporately, are responsible for becoming more aware of discrimination against homosexual persons, taking action to ensure that they enjoy their full civil and human rights in society, working to end all forms of discrimination against them, and for personally supporting the victims of such discrimination. 

   In March 1977, the Department of Church in Society of the Division of Mission in Canada, passed the following resolution:

   “… We affirm the right of persons regardless of their sexual orientation to employment, accommodation and access to the services and facilities that they need and desire.

   Recommendation: That in all areas covered by The Canadian Human Rights Act, provision should be made for prohibiting discrimination on the basis of ‘sexual orientation’.”

5. We affirm the need, as the church engages its heterosexual and homosexual members in dialogue, to recognize the personal and professional risks to which homosexual persons open themselves as the respond to this invitation. 

6. We affirm the need for all church members, both heterosexual and homosexual, to study and understand sexuality and lifestyles in the light of the gospel. 

GC30 1984 ROP, pp. 64-68, 88-90, 236-297