If you’re a gay lifelong Anglican committed to a traditional sexual ethic, a gay agnostic curious about getting to know Jesus in an Anglican context, or anyone in between, this letter is to you. We pray you will experience God’s love and wisdom in the churches who have signed below.
If you’re an Anglican pastor, an everyday Anglican, or anyone who loves gay Anglicans, we encourage you to read, sign, and share this Letter.
The College of Bishops of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) recently spoke about sexual identity and invited Anglicans “to discern these matters within their own diocesan communities and ministries.” ACNA bishops have privately provided pastoral guidance to local churches, with at least one bishop offering guidance to his clergy that can be read publicly.
To continue this public discernment, the ACNA bishops, priests, deacons, and lay people who have signed below humbly offer this letter of confession and commitment to gay Anglicans, with unwavering commitment to the authority, mission, and community of the ACNA.
If you’re a gay/same-sex attracted lifelong Anglican committed to a traditional sexual ethic, a gay agnostic curious about getting to know Jesus in an Anglican context, or anyone in between, this letter is to you. We pray you will experience God’s love and wisdom in the churches who have signed below.
We affirm what is good and true from the recent Pastoral Statement on Sexuality and Identity from ACNA Bishops, including its continued commitment to a traditional sexual ethic and a recognition that God has made everyone for healthy intimacy in the context of human family.
We confess that while each of our sexualities is broken, churches have often treated different brokenness differently. As the Provincial Statement humbly recognizes, churches have inconsistently applied God’s wisdom for sexual stewardship by holding same-sex attracted people to a higher standard than straight people regarding vocational singleness, procreation, divorce, and remarriage.
We confess that many gay Anglicans committed to a traditional sexual ethic have labored faithfully in their sanctification but struggled to thrive because our churches have failed to take the practical steps necessary to promote flourishing. In the words of the Provincial Statement, many same-sex attracted Christians are “fighting the good fight to become more like Jesus” but have “felt ignored by fellow followers of Jesus to the point of feeling invisible.”
The Rev Canon Teresa Russell Canon for Discipleship, Rector of Trinity Church, Pittsburgh, PA |
The Very Rev Peet Dickinson Dean of the Cathedral Church of St. Luke & St. Paul, Charleston, SC |
Pieter Valk Director of EQUIP, Founder of the Nashville Family of Brothers, seeking ordination in ACNA |
The Rev Alastair Sterne Lead Pastor at St. Peter’s Fireside, Vancouver, B.C, Author of Rhythms of Life |
The Rev Canon Patrick Schlabs Canon for Cultural Engagement at the Cathedral Church of St Luke & St Paul, Charleston, SC |
The Rev Dr Jack Gabig Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program, Trinity School for Ministry, Priest in Diocese of Pittsburgh |
Dea Colin Fagan Campus Ministry for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, Nashville, TN, Deacon in C4SO Diocese |
The Rev Canon David W Ketter III Priest at New Life Anglican Fellowship, Beaver, PA, Canon for Liturgy |
The Rev Dr Greg Peters Rector of Church of the Epiphany, La Mirada, CA, Professor in the Torrey Honors College, Biola University |
The Rev Thomas McKenzie Rector of Church of the Redeemer, Nashville, TN, Author of The Anglican Way |
Dr. William Witt Associate Professor of Systematic Theology and Ethics, Trinity School for Ministry |
The Rev Jamey Russell Rector of Trinity Church, Pittsburgh, PA |
The Rev Andrew Unger Priest in Charge at All Souls’ Anglican Church, Wheaton, IL, Co-host of Young Anglicans Podcast |
The Rev Dr Kelly Madden Executive Director of the Boston Fellows, Priest in Anglican Diocese in New England |
The Rev Dr Jonathan Parker Assistant Professor of Religion at Berry College, Mount Berry, GA, Priest in Diocese of the South |
The Rev Joshua Steele Managing Editor of Anglican Compass, Priest at Church of the Savior, Wheaton, IL |
The Rev Dr Jonathan Huggins Chaplain at Berry College, Mount Berry, GA, Priest in Diocese of the South |
The Rev Isaac Bradshaw Priest at St Brendan’s Church, Maryville, TN |
Johnmark Smith Youth Pastor at Church of the Redeemer, Nashville, TN |
If you’re an Anglican pastor, an everyday Anglican, or anyone who loves gay Anglicans, we encourage you to read, sign, and share this Letter. Some clergy may feel the need to consult their superior before signing.
Note: This letter is voluntarily in compliance with the recommendations of the Provincial Statement.
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