Sexuality | StJohns

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Quick Glance: What does the draft framework say about sexuality?

Sexuality is part of being human, created by God and neither shameful nor peripheral. We affirm the dignity, gifting, and calling of every person, whatever their sexuality. Faithful, committed same-sex relationships can reflect covenantal love and grace, and sexuality is not a barrier to belonging, service, or leadership.

Sexuality: Full Statement (draft)

We acknowledge that questions of sexuality and attraction are deeply personal and complex, touching on people’s identity, relationships, and faith. As a church, we seek to be a family where everyone can find a home. Our welcome is without condition, grounded in the conviction that every person is made in God’s image and deeply loved by God. Therefore, we recognise the dignity, gifting, and calling of every person, irrespective of sexuality, and welcome all to participate fully in the life and community of St John’s.

We believe that committed, faithful relationships, irrespective of sexuality, can reflect the covenantal love and grace of God. As a church, we seek to walk alongside all individuals and couples as they discern how to honour God in their relationships. Where couples desire to express their covenantal commitment through marriage, St John’s supports their pastors in facilitating this.

We believe that an individual's gifts and character are the key to discerning whether they should be in a leadership role. Someone’s sexuality in and of itself is not a barrier to serving in any role within St John’s Church, including leadership.

Biblical and Theological Themes

Every Person as Image-Bearer

The biblical story begins with the affirmation that all people are created in the image of God and loved with divine delight (Genesis 1–2; Psalm 139). Sexuality is part of the complexity and wonder of being human, neither a flaw nor a mistake, but an aspect of embodied life that requires wisdom, care, and compassion.

God’s Covenant Love as a Pattern for Our Relationships

Throughout Scripture, God’s love is steadfast, faithful, and self-giving. These qualities, faithfulness, mutuality, honour, and commitment, are the markers of relationships that reflect God’s covenantal love. This applies to all couples, whatever their sexuality.

Scripture Read Through the Life and Character of Jesus

Jesus consistently dignified people whom society marginalised and called all people, without exception, into life with God. His model invites the church to extend welcome without conditions, and to discern ethics through the lens of love, justice, humility, and the fruit of the Spirit.

Some passages in Scripture have been read as prohibiting all same-sex relationships. As Elders, we have studied these carefully and, through a Jesus-centred reading, believe that committed, faithful same-sex relationships can reflect God’s covenantal love. For those who, in conscience, remain persuaded of a traditional view, we respect that conviction and seek to walk together in love.

Historical and Pastoral Context

The Christian tradition has held a wide range of views on sexuality over time.

Today, individuals navigate a variety of experiences of attraction, relationships, cultural narratives, stigma, trauma, and family dynamics. Healthy pastoral care must be grounded in compassion rather than suspicion, and in accompaniment rather than judgement. Our approach should have the following threads:

the call to honour one another
the priority of faithfulness and consent
the safeguarding of the vulnerable
the value of community for spiritual formation

What We Mean (Plain Language)

“Welcome without condition”

Means:

you don’t need to qualify for belonging
you don’t need to hide or suppress who you are
your sexuality is not a barrier to worship, service, membership, or leadership

“Committed, faithful relationships”

Means relationships marked by:

mutual love
care and emotional safety
honesty and respect
long-term responsibility for one another
discernment before God
the intention to build one another up

These markers, not the sexuality of those in the relationship, are what make a relationship reflect the love and grace of God.

“Support in discerning how to honour God”

Means the church does not dictate the shape of a couple’s relationship. Instead, we:

walk with people
ask good, caring questions
help them reflect spiritually
celebrate commitments
provide pastoral guidance when needed

“Sexuality is not a barrier to leadership”

Leadership is discerned by:

character
maturity
the fruit of the Spirit
faithfulness in discipleship
willingness to be accountable

Sexuality alone tells us nothing about a person’s capacity to lead.

What this does Not mean

It does not mean that all relationship choices are equally wise.
It does not mean that the church is silent about unhealthy or harmful dynamics.
It does not mean that sexuality is irrelevant to spiritual formation.
It does not mean that we affirm patterns of behaviour that exploit or damage.
It means that the church approaches sexuality through discipleship, not restriction; compassion, not suspicion; and accompaniment, not adjudication.

Pastoral Approach

St John’s is committed to offering:

spaces for prayer, reflection, and discernment
confidential pastoral conversations
sensitivity to past harm or trauma
support for couples of all genders
leadership pathways open to all
clear boundaries that protect the vulnerable

We commit to listening without presumption, guiding without pressure, and caring without conditions.

Implications for Church Life

Sexuality is not a barrier to membership or leadership.
Same-sex couples are welcomed in the same way as opposite-sex couples.
Leaders may officiate or bless the marriages of same-sex couples if they choose.
All teaching on relationships emphasises mutuality, faithfulness, and honour.
Leaders are accountable not for their orientation but for their character and conduct.

How This Reflects St John’s Vision & Values

Everyone gets to play: Leadership and service are open to all.
A culture of honour: We treat every person’s story with dignity and care.
Pursuing God’s will together: We discern ethics as a community, not in isolation.
Jesus: Our reading is shaped by Jesus’ love, justice, and hospitality.
Kingdom and Nurture: We reflect God’s heart for the outcast, the weary, and the unseen.