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the affirmation of lgbtq+ people, and the freedom of conscience for all believers within the church of god

A Statement
of Conviction

 

from people formed by the Church of God Movement (Anderson, Indiana)

Download a PDF COPY of this statement

There is a strong biblical, theological, and ethical case for affirming same-sex partnerships, transgender identity and existence, and gender non-conformity as being fully compatible with Christian discipleship and the theological and doctrinal distinctives of the Church of God Reformation Movement.

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The ultimate authority of God—as expressed through the life of Jesus and evidenced in the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit—serves as a defining guide and source for the living out of full inclusion and affirmation of the LGBTQ community.

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Holy Scripture is the inspired word of God and can be trusted to inform a Christ-like practice of full inclusion and affirmation of the LGBTQ community.

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Tradition, science, reason, and personal and community experience offer additional insight into the wide gaze of God’s good creation through the diverse lens of humankind.

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All people are sacred and beloved, created in the image of God.

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Ministers and lay people in the Church of God must have the freedom of conscience to affirm gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer Christians in their lives, partnerships, and ministerial callings.

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The Church of God, Anderson, Indiana's confession of and repentance for the harm it has caused and continues to cause is a necessary step toward healing and reconciling the Church to the LGBTQ community.

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The local congregation greatly aids in a healing path of reconciliation through proactive, urgent implementation of inclusive and redemptive practices on behalf of the LGBTQ community and their families.

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All people are sacred and beloved, created in the image of God.

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Gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer Christians must be welcomed and recognized as full participants in the life and ministry of the Church of God at all levels.

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We can have confidence in God’s benevolent intention for the diversity of sexual orientation and gender identity that is represented by the human family.

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God fully accepts and celebrates people of the LGBTQ community regardless of faith experience or religious affiliation.

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All people are sacred and beloved, created in the image of God.

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Add your signature

 

We urge you to consider adding your signature to this statement as a way of expressing your support for freedom of conscience and LGBTQ+ affirmation. Let's join together to create change within the Church of God.

Your voice matters, and we hope you will take this opportunity to make it heard.

By adding your name, you are signing onto the document "A Statement of Conviction from people formed by the Church of God Movement, Anderson, Indiana," adding your support to the content of the statement. Your name will appear on this public website. Responses are limited to one per email address, and email addresses will not be published or shared with anyone. (Couples who share an email address may sign jointly.)

By our signatures, we affirm these beliefs and commit to positive action toward their fruition.

Confirmation of Church of God Affiliation 

Historically, the Church of God has not regarded membership as something to be mediated by any church authority and to be entirely between the individual believer and God. 

By selecting "I affirm" below, you indicate that you have, as the statement says, been in a meaningful sense "formed by the Church of God Movement." This can mean many things, ranging from being currently ordained clergy in the Church of God, being a current or former regular parishioner in a Church of God congregation, having attended or worked for a Church of God college or university, or having been raised in a Church of God household. (These are examples, not an exhaustive list.)

Thank You

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