The Nazarene Africa Region Speaks to the LGBTQIA+ Issue

The Africa Region of the Church of the Nazarene established a committee for General Assembly 2023 which share the following:

Statement of the Nazarenes in Africa on the Issues of Sexual Orientation, Marriage Equality and Ordination of LGBTQ+

Whereas we live in a cultural milieu which advocates for and accepts the LGBTQ+, the Nazarenes in Africa, remain committed to the teachings of the Bible and the doctrines of our Christian faith and heritage. As Nazarenes in Africa, we remain guided by the denominational key source documents of reference. We remain resolute about the Bible as our source of primary guidance and to this end accept that the Scriptures, inerrantly, reveal "the will of God concerning us in all things necessary to our salvation." (Manual 2017-2021, Article of Faith IV) We also agree that whatever is not contained in Scripture us "not to be enjoined as an article of faith."

As an African Church, we do not accept nor support the practice of homosexuality or any part of LGBTQ+ as a lifestyle because it is incompatible with the teachings of Scripture and the established tradition of the church.

As we enter into the Church of the Nazarene's General Assembly 2023, we call on the membership of the entire denomination to practice restraint and work towards an approach to the gender identity and human sexuality debate in ways that continue to demonstrate dignity, value, and respect for all.

We encourage, in our dialogue and reflections, restrain in zeal and condemn any view which may contribute to any form of dehumanisation, victimisation, or violence against members of the LGBTQI+ community. Our aim as Nazarenes in Africa is to present the holy love of God that is fully redemptive and seeks to save sinners from self-destructive choices.

ON SEXUAL ORIENTATION & GENDER IDENTITY

The African Nazarenes have long been clear that they cannot accept the practices of the LGBTQ+ as any basis for a holy lifestyle reflection Christlikeness. We intend to closely follow scriptural teachings regarding God's creation of man and woman with the implication that gender is biologically determined.

ON MARRIAGE EQUALITY

We stand for the Biblical position of marriage as it only exists in a relationship involving one man and one woman (Manual 2017-2021, 31, 515.9). We agree as collectively that same-sex relationship contradict our understanding of Scripture.

ON ORDINATION

As African Nazarenes we adopt the position of the Church of the Nazarene and are not in favour of the ordination of LGBTQ+ persons to the ranks of clergy in our church.

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