What Does It Mean for the Church to Love LGBTQ+ Adventists?
30 March 2022 |
There is a lot of talk about love in the church, and about our relationship to LGBTQ+ Adventists.
For their part, people who oppose same-sex marriage and transgender identity are clear that they still love LGBTQ+ people. But some feel that that it’s wrong for them to be pressured to change their sincerely held beliefs in order for their love to be taken seriously. Many of these same people are concerned that love can become a justification for anyone to do whatever they please.
On the other hand, LGBTQ+ Adventists have concerns and complaints about how they have been treated in the church. What does any of this have to do with the foundational laws of loving God and loving one’s neighbor? How does biblical love inform our beliefs and the challenges presented by LGBTQ+ Adventists?
Teacher:
Alicia Johnston holds an M.Div. from the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, as well as an MA in Clinical Psychology. In 2017 she came out as LGBTQ+-affirming and bisexual in a viral video that resulted in her forced resignation as a pastor in the Adventist Church. In addition to the podcast and blogging on affirming theology, she has written a book explaining affirming theology for Seventh-day Adventists called The Bible and LGBTQ Adventists. Her passion is helping Christians see why they can affirm same-sex marriage and support gender transition. See her work at www.aliciajohnston.com.
Moderator:
Randi Robertson is an instructor/pilot for JetBlue Airlines. She teaches at JetBlue University at Orlando International Airport.
How to join:
Watch the presentation here.
When:
ATSS starting time depends on where you are. If you’re on the west coast of the United States, it’ll be 10:30 AM. On the east coast, 1:30 PM.
Times around the world:
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- Reykjavík: 6:30 PM
- College Place: 10:30 AM
- Lincoln: 12:30 PM
- Denver: 11:30 AM
- Bracknell: 6:30 PM
- Loma Linda: 10:30 AM
- Nairobi: 8:30 PM
- Gackle: 12:30 PM
- Hosur: 11:00 PM
- Waco: 12:30 PM
- Tulsa: 12:30 PM
- Helsinki: 8:30 PM
- Stockholm: 7:30 PM
- Hamburg: 7:30 PM
- Cape Town: 7:30 PM
- Madrid: 7:30 PM
- Paris: 7:30 PM
- Honolulu: 7:30 AM
- Cooranbong: 5:30 AM (Sunday)
- Perth: 2:30 AM (Sunday)
The class is intended to last about 2 hours, though the conversation often continues to 4 PM on the east coast of the United States.
About our class:
- The AT Sabbath Seminar is intended to be a courteous forum. We discuss and ask questions politely. We don’t accuse, get angry, or put people down.
- Stick to the topic in both comments and chat discussion.
- Make your comments and questions short—don’t dominate.
- Keep your microphones muted unless you are called upon to make your comment or ask your question.
- Indicate your interest in speaking by raising your electronic hand—under the “reactions” button.
- Please use your name when you sign in! Not your phone number, not your initials. This will help us differentiate you from unwelcome guests who want to disrupt us. You can set your name after signing on by clicking on the 3 dots next to your picture, which drops down a menu.
- If it should happen that we are attacked so that we have to stop the meeting, we’ll quickly post a new meeting link on our AT Facebook page.
We look forward to getting acquainted with you!
Coming up:
- Mathilde Frey
- Raj Attiken
- Reinder Bruinsma
- Laurence Turner
Before you go…The April 1-10, 2022 AT Spring Fundraiser is ON. Your donations are funding AT’s pioneering content for young people in the Global South as well the accessible, independent journalism you have come to expect from us. We deeply appreciate any size of donation. Also, all new donors to AT will receive a personalized Thank-You from an AT team member! AT cannot grow without your support. Thank you for digging deep and giving generously! Donate to AT by clicking here: atoday.org/donate
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