In July 2018, a 71-page booklet Guiding Families of LGBT+ Loved Ones (Posture Shift) was published by the North American Division (NAD) Commission on Human Sexuality Committee. It was adapted from the material of non-Adventist author Bill Henson.
Wayne Blakely, retired co-founder of Coming Out Ministries and director of Know His Love Ministries has written a book addressing this NAD book. The Title of Blakely’s book is “Line by Line — a Biblical Analysis of Guiding Families of LGBT+ Loved Ones.” Wayne agreed to an interview by Gerry Wagoner regarding his important new book.
F7 (Gerry) — What prompted you to write an entire book on this topic?
WB — Even after having written a couple of reviews, some time ago for Fulcrum7, I continued to hear more discussions and concerns regarding the “guide’s” content.
Many people were stunned by the “guide’s” declarations and cultural arguments in place of biblical evidence. We were stunned that this publication had been widely distributed across Adventism—especially to pastors and educators.
Throughout the book, there are calls for tolerance and accommodation. However, the author/contributors fail at pointing the LGBT+ identified person to Jesus. You know as humans stained with natural inclinations to sin, we’re all in this together. I believe we should be encouraging one another to live lives that glorify God. When I came back to Christ (out of the LGBTQ community, years ago) there was pretty much a lone voice speaking about our identity in Jesus and His redemptive gospel. Ron Woolsey. Now there are several of us walking in moral freedom from our LGBTQ past.
Initially, an invitation was placed before me by a Conference leader. Writing more about what has become so controversial was certainly not in my plans. After concentrated prayer for guidance and discernment, God gave me a clear answer with fleece-like clarity.
F7 — Given the LGBT+ impact on society today, could you describe where you think the SDA Church stands currently?
WB — I believe due to our denomination’s more cultural leanings of recent, it’s been unclear. We used to uphold Scripture. But now so many want to reinterpret Scripture to accommodate their desires. Holding up sound doctrine is often seen as radical and fanatical, however, I don’t see Jesus giving us permission to substitute His Words for our own.
Without a sound, biblical education, future leaders are coming out of Seminary with concepts and ideas that seem rather foreign and sidestepping. It really comes down to who is educating our leaders, pastors and teachers today. It’s hard to differentiate between world and church views anymore.
Almost every family has a close relative identifying as LGBT+ today. If you don’t lend full endorsement, you’re likely categorized as a “hater.”
This issue has split many denominations before us. It is now front and center in Adventism. Leadership is being tested by agitators and militant LGBT+ activists within Adventism who want to change our beliefs. Or as “Guiding Families” states, “Reposture” us.
F7 — GFLGBT+ Loved Ones was handed out to 7000 Adventist Educators at the Adventist Teachers Convention in Chicago in 2018, and subsequently mailed out to thousands of Adventist leadership, including pastors. How did you first learn of the publication?
WB — A pastor and close acquaintance contacted me and asked if I was aware of the publication. He said, “I see a lot of love, but no ‘“Go and sin no more.”’ I quickly obtained a copy. I couldn’t believe it had been placed in the hands of thousands of educators and pastors. Having lived in the early stages of LGBT+ activism, I was aware of many who were praying to have me return to Jesus. Now I’m looking at a publication that is telling Adventists to celebrate being LGBT+. Or, at the very least, don’t try to minister to LGBT+ people. It’s just who you are.
F7 — How did this publication come about? Most who received it, seemed to think that it was an Adventist denomination approved publication. Is it?
WB — A study by the “guide’s” Adventist contributors of 300 “LGBT+ Adventists” was conducted, appearing particularly one-sided. There’s no hint of those with “unwanted attractions,” but more of an encouragement to “come out.” I was initially thrown by the label, “LGBT+ Adventists.” Like saying “Gay Christian.” Why would you use a label of “sensuality” to describe what kind of Christian you are?
The study was brought before the “North American Division Commission on Human Sexuality Committee.” The committee was fully aware of two ministries inside our denomination with biblically-grounded teachings and testimonies. However, they opted for a ministry outside Adventism that celebrates culture and makes no mention of redemption, restoration or reconciliation.
F7 — Did the North American Division Commission on Human Sexuality Committee have denominational approval for this book?
WB — At the time of production, there was a sitting NAD Vice President on the committee. I don’t know for a fact, but I’m assuming that that’s where the green light came from. It does not have a written NAD or GC endorsement, but is presented in a convincing format and distributed in a way that has all the earmarks of being denominationally approved.
F7 — What was your impression after obtaining a copy and reading it?
WB — I was deeply saddened. From the outset of recognizing the “Adventist contributors,” I knew this “guide” was not going to lead people to Jesus, but to celebrating “who they are,” and denying who they could be and what is possible through Jesus.
After living in the culture for so long and then inviting Jesus to come in and take charge, I felt the rejection again that I felt when I was younger. It’s like God allowed what occurred in my youth, to prepare me for what would happen when I returned to Him and His “followers.”
However, throughout God’s Word, those who sought to live in agreement with Jesus, most often came under persecution. Prophetically, I anticipate that it will likely worsen.
F7 — So the NAD Commission on Human Sexuality Committee sought out a ministry outside the denomination to set up an authoritative guide for everyone within the Adventist denomination. There are two biblically grounded ministries inside the denomination who help people resolve LGBT+ temptations and desires. Were these ministries contacted to assist with this publication?
WB — No.
F7 — What are your thoughts regarding the need for a “guide?” Is the Bible still our guide on the issue of LGBTQ?
WB — From a corporate/denominational perspective, I think we are decades late in providing redemptive materials. It only feeds to the lies of Satan that those with LGBT+ ideations, don’t matter. No one knows what they suffer like someone who has been there.
That being said, I think that the denomination should avail themselves of the resources available through ‘Coming Out’ Ministries and Know His Love Ministries—made up of people who have responded to the call of the Holy Spirit and choose to live for Christ, instead of for self.
It has been God’s Word and the words of His messenger, that have inspired each of us. Living for Christ, instead of for self, is often challenging. One may even experience failure. But that doesn’t change God’s Word and His promises (Proverbs 24:16, 1 John 2:1). Living according to anything other than God’s will, will lead to our ruin.
F7 — What do you hope to accomplish in publishing this book?
WB — My prayer is that those who have been confused and possibly deceived by the clever, convincing ways of Satan in this midst of this “Great Controversy,” will come to see God as a God of love who is trustworthy and worth denying self for. He has always known the beginning from the end. And He graciously provided us with a blueprint for life on earth. He is clear in pointing out what glorifies “Him” and what does not. We must each make our choice.
F7 — You told me that you are self-publishing. How did you decide to do that?
WB — My experience has sometimes been, that when you submit written works for publishing, often the publisher will alter what’s been written. I do not know many who have clear, defined knowledge on this topic who don’t try and insert their own opinion. I could not risk that happening through an editor. In the early stages of this book, I was careful to work with an editor who agrees with Scripture and also recognized the application of Scripture toward the LGBT+ issues regarding Christianity. At times, in this analysis, it is important to be quite forthright.
F7 — I know that you’ve stated that it’s difficult to get onto Adventist campuses to speak to students. Why do you think that is?
WB — Today, LGBT+ activism is alive and well on our educational campuses. From what I’ve witnessed in my extensive travels, most professors and teachers have not taken a lead from Scripture on this topic, but one more in touch with the insistence and demands of LGBT+ culture. It used to be that administration ran the campuses. Today too many social/political aspects play into their decision making. That leads to support for gay/straight alliances that seek acceptance, tolerance and affirmation. This also includes that individual’s behaviors, not simply their attractions and temptations.
Most of our campuses are not prepared for and don’t want to deal with the fallout of a “biblical,” “love in truth” message. They’re allowing students to rewrite Scripture according to their flesh. They regard ministries such as Know His Love Ministries and ‘Coming Out’ Ministries as narrow and restrictive. And often false accusations are made of these ministries to keep them at bay. One such claim, is that we are trying to make people “straight.” The truth is, we want to be used to touch people’s hearts and help them fall in love with Jesus, and claim the strength He offers to live in agreement with Him.
F7 — Is it difficult getting invitations to speak in churches?
WB — Yes, quite often it is. Generally, it the invitation goes before the church board, and it can take months of board meetings to arrive at a decision. Many board members make up their minds about what they think we will say. Often, such board members have their own children or relatives that are identifying as LGBT+. Many “feel” that we want to take something away from someone identifying as LGBT+, rather than offering them the greatest gift on earth… A new identity in Jesus Christ, as a New Creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
F7 — Bryan Ness, a biology professor for Pacific Union College wrote an article for Spectrum Magazine, on February 5th of this year. He calls for normalizing gay marriage within Adventism. How can this be stated from an educational position in one of our colleges?
WB — I have encountered numerous campuses where one, or many educators boldly take a stand for LGBT+ culture. The top leadership in many of those places, decide not to make waves. And clearly, indoctrination is playing out before our eyes.
Faculty in most places is required to take “Diversity training.” This conditions an educator to accept, affirm, and tolerate… instead of sharing the sweet promises of Jesus to help us walk according to His Word and His will. Thus, many parents who are catching on today, are asking themselves, “What’s the point of a Christian education?”
F7 — We continually hear about demonstrating “love and compassion” to the LGBT+ identified person. How do you believe this should be balanced with the Bible instruction on sexuality?
WB — Romans 5:8 says that Jesus died for us while we were still sinners. And yet Jesus does not approve of our failures, but provides counsel to study and pray, growing in Him from day to day.
Many are falling to the demands of a modern day interpretation of “love,” defined by the person who insists on a “love” different from the pure love of Jesus Christ. If we would return to Scripture and trust God’s Word as authority, we will receive His counsel on how to love without approving of that which He does not condone.
We need support groups on our campuses today that will surround those with ideations that differ from those of Christ’s. We need to pray with students. We need to teach as to why we would deny ourselves for Him. We need practical Christianity. We need to be part of the transformation that comes when we surrender to His ways.
Ephesians 5:3 counsels us to live for Christ without the slightest hint of sexual immorality.
F7 — What are some of your favorite parts in your book?
WB — Providing historical references to the origin of the term “sexual orientation,” and providing foundational elements of identity, not based upon sexual attraction and desires, I believe is elementary. I enjoy helping people understand this.
I suppose a lot of people will say… “Oh yeah! Blakely… I know what he’s going to say.” I’ve often felt like I’m on a bit of an island in Adventism as it relates to this topic. However, what many Adventists fail to recognize, is that there is an entire world movement of those leaving LGBT+ culture for Jesus Christ and claiming the identity He offers.
I believe the crowning aspect of this book, is found in the eighteen testimonies from across multiple faiths, that agree with the Word of God and their identity in Jesus Christ. It’s heart warming to say the least. I praise God for their enthusiastic, personal contributions.
I wanted to write a book that would point to Jesus and glorify Him and His trustworthiness. This book does that.
F7 — When does your book come out? And where can interested people obtain a copy?
WB — Line by Line – A Biblical Analysis of Guiding Families of LGBT+ Loved Ones, is currently available for order, at www.KnowHisLove.org. I hope to have books in people’s hands by mid October. Thanks so much for this opportunity to share and continue to educate and help those facing LGBT+ concerns, Christianity and Christ.
“My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him” (1 John 3:18—19).
Wayne Blakely is the Director of Know His Love Ministries. www.knowhislove.org. After living in the LGBT+ culture for nearly forty years, he surrendered to Jesus ten years ago and today seeks humility in Jesus, sharing His “love in truth” message.