Hi Wayne,

Thank you for your thoughts on our film. I appreciate your perspective, but wanted to encourage you to see it before you criticize it too much. I think the film can do a lot of good in the Adventist community to bring thoughtful conversation on this issue. We understand that everyone comes to this with different perspectives and experiences, but in the end I think you would agree we can do a better job living in community together. We are not trying to invalidate your experience, rather quite the opposite. We hope people will take the time to stop and listen to you and other Adventists who are trying to hold their faith and sexuality in balance. This is a film about reconciliation and belonging and  I hope you can see it for yourself before dismissing it. 

Steve Moran, who would probably characterize himself as a conservative Adventist just wrote a review of the film on the Spectrum blog today that I think you and your readers would appreciate. You can find it here:

http://spectrummagazine.org/blog/2012/05/03/seventh-gay-adventists

I would enjoy talking with you more about this project and your experience and hope to see you at a screening sometime this summer. 

Thanks,

Stephen Eyer, Producer
“Seventh-Gay Adventists”

Thank you Stephen for your observations. I am looking forward to seeing the film. I have watched all of your released clips and have also talked in depth with others who have seen the film.

I could not possibly agree more that this topic is in need of discussion by all Christian faiths and pointing same-sex attracted souls to Christ, rather than to self. In previous communication, I was told by your co-producer and wife Daneen that the film would not be as I suspected it might be and that “you” would be including a person who chooses to live sexually pure. Such represenation is not in the flim. This is concerning.

For those who have not breached this topic in their congregations, I believe it is important to look further than the film .. and to God’s Word, with respect to His requests of us and what He offers those who are afflicted with same-sex attractions or any temptations that can result in sinful behavior.

I would like very much to sit and talk with you and those in the film to share that when we reconcile, God’s plan and will for us should be what motivates reconciliation and redemption by leaving self at the foot of the cross. This is the universal call to any sinner.

As I sated in my article, I commend those who have boldly and openly shared from their hearts. The angle of the film has never been secret. But as you indicate, mutual dialog is much needed. I could not agree more. I am very disturbed by defending homosexuality when God’s Word is so very clear. What is needed is love, help and healing which is provided by Christ and those who are intimately consecrated to Him.

Another project which you promote, “It gets better,” had alarming revelations in the past few days, as it’s creator spoke in blaspheming language against God. Recently a Satanist called in on a Christian radio show regarding homosexuality, pleading for the host to give his life to, and serve Satan. It is interesting that those greatly opposed to God’s Word and declarations about homosexuality, are so willing to lend support to homosexual and gay rights.

I have been praying for both of you and the participants of this film. Now that the film is completed, I am happy that you are interested in dialoging. I also ask that you value the redeemed lives who seem to have been purposefully eliminated from this film.

I continue to ask that God will work daily in each of our lives helping us recognize that we are all level at the foot of the cross.

Blessings,

Wayne Blakely

Redeemed “New Creation” in Christ

Dear Wayne,

I just wanted to add that we look forward to talking to you after a screening soon. And I wanted to clarify that nobody has been excluded from the film because we don't find their stories valuable. Indeed, everyone's story is infinitely valuable. As Chris Blake commented over on Steve Moran's review of the film (http://spectrummagazine.org/blog/2012/05/03/seventh-gay-adventists—reflections-film), God cares about everyone's story, so Christians must pay attention to everyone's story, especially those who have an experience or perspective that we don't easily identity with or agree with because it isn't our own.

But a film cannot cover every perspective, and, as we really got into this project, we realized that it's actually an entirely different question to explore how someone reconciles being both gay and Adventist and accepting that as a "both/and" scenario versus someone who agrees with and even testifies on behalf of the church's current policies.

One situation keeps an individual firmly within the church's blessing, even if it's still a difficult path, and that wasn't where the real question of the film was. A film is really an exploration of a question, and our questions were: how does someone reconcile being both Adventist and gay, and is there a home in the Adventist church for those who are on the (current) margins? (That's a question I identify with, even as a straight person.) The story of celibate gays also deserve attention, as all of our stories do, but it's a very different story because celibate gays live within the church's prescribed standards. There are also far, far fewer people who find, after years of trying to live by the church's prescription for celibacy, that it's a viable option for them–they weren't given the gift of celibacy that Paul talks about as being the best option for everyone (I think most of us forget that was his recommendation for everyone!), and, it ultimately just wasn't the intersection we ultimately wanted to explore because that's not where the real identity challenge is.

I'm glad you've found a platform to share your testimony, and I look forward to actually talking in person and not via blog posts!

Best,

Daneen
Co-Producer/Director
Seventh-Gay Adventists

Thank you Daneen. It is perplexing to me that the dialog that is taking place now didn’t seem to be welcomed on the other side of the film while it was still in production.

Before I knew the angle, I can’t begin to tell you how thrilled I was about a film being made that would open up dialog between those who have remained silent all of these years and those who have been victim of such unneeded and unnecessary pain. But regardless of which side you are on of that pain, it’s not about us. It’s about God.

As I began to understand that this was a film to draw approval of homosexual behavior, I was deeply saddened. The more it became an issue of homosexuals and the church, instead of sinners and God and the redemption and healing He offers all of us, I was saddened.

So we kind of get off to a rough start by considering what brought about the making of the film. As you and Stephen told, it was because of the 2008 California vote that did not make way for gay marriage. So right there is a red flag. Instead of acknowledging how clearly God points out in His Word that homosexual behavior is sin, you take a stand in promoting sinful behavior and making a film about it. This to me is the crux of the issue. Not the relationship between gays and the church. Adventist gays? That really doesn’t compute with me.

I was raised Adventist. I was raised on the Word of God. I left the church and God because I did not understand, nor did anyone help me understand what I was supposed to do with these natural same-sex attraction feelings. I knew it was sin. It was as clear as broad daylight in God’s Word that it is sin. But I simply did not know what to do and no one was ministering to me. So I left the church. I would have never then called myself a gay Adventist, because when you come out and declare that you are gay and that there is nothing that anyone can do about it, you also turn your back on God and His truth. You then proceed to do your will instead of His will.

Just for the vivid picture of physiological interactions, it is clear this not what God designed us for. Countless physicians will confirm the horrendous injury and medical complications that have been a result of such ungodly behavior. Now .. I’m very well aware that heterosexuals have engaged in such behavior as well. But it is still very clear that this is not from God.

Adventism does not call people to celibacy. This not something one just decides to do on their own. If is defined in God’s Word that intimate relations outside of marriage is sin. And there is no advice from God to engage in any kind of monogamous same-sex marriage. Can you see the incredible danger there is by acting outside of clear directives from God. And if something is not perfectly clear, would it not make sense to error on the side of caution than to blatantly show God who’s in control? We are not called to make such decisions on our own for things we do not understand. But to come to God and turn ourselves over to Him and let Him reign in our life. This kind of arrogance and decision making is what cost Lucifer His heavenly position. It is not just Paul that calls us to celibacy outside of marriage. This is from God.

Margins? I personally don’t see the church as a social club, but as a place of worship and honoring God, growing in Him in our fellowship with one another. In Matthew we are told that when we know someone is sinning, we should seek approach the individual seeking the presence of the Holy Spirit to point out the error in their ways. If the person continues to openly sin, we are instructed to take an additional person to help the troubled soul.

Church is not a place where we all are instructed to live however we see fit for ourselves and seek membership. Quite the contrary. This is why churches who have deeply studied God’s Word have principles, doctrines and foundations. If someone is not happy or does not agree, there is certainly no forced membership.

After the screening in Palm Springs, you indicated during the Question & Answer time that you have not attended an organized Seventh Day Adventist church in years. I have to tell you my jaw dropped. Because I found it then ironic that you are seeking to bridge gays and the Adventist church. Why would you want to be part of something you don’t agree with? This is concerning to me.

I didn’t find a platform. I was not seeking any kind of platform. I was met …as were others whom I know and associate with with divine intervention. Recognizing my sin, being sorrowful for my sin, seeking and asking forgiveness of my sin, recognizing the authority and mighty power of Jesus Christ and falling in shame in front of the cross where He knew I would one day come. That is why He hung nailed to that cross and shed His blood for me. Because of the conviction of His truth by the Holy Spirit. Humbling myself before Him and seeking to do His will, not mine.

Can you see the difference in declaring that this is how you are going to be regardless … and humbly coming before God, forgiving the ignorance and lack of help and sympathy of others, and recognizing the instruction as given in James 5:16 to confess our sins one to another and to pray and seek healing for each other?

Praying to God and asking for His approval of how we feel is not the pray that He directs us to. He directs us to self-denial, obedience, abiding in Him and submitting ourselves to Him regardless of how we feel. This is where every sinner can identify. This is where we can heal together and support one another. Not in approving of or condoning that which we have been clearly shown is sin.

God’s presence among His believers is not about homosexuality by itself. It is not the crowning sin. All sin is repulsive to God. It is in the recognition of that that we all need to see that we are level at the foot of the cross and need to seek Him and help each other live for Him and not for self. It’s not about church policies. It’s about what God asks of every living soul who will choose to live for Him.

I earnestly and sincerely praying that the church who represents Christ and His Word is not mocked. We must recognize the importance and majesty of our Creator. By studying and praying together, we learn to love each other more. In this fellowship there is hope. But we are advised in Galatians 1:6 not to listen to or believe in a different gospel. A self gospel. This is not God’s plan for us.

My prayers are with you – I am certain that a conversation of this depth would last much longer than a few minutes in a Q & A after the film. But I sincerely pray that you will invite as I do continually … the Holy Spirit to lead and guide and draw me to truth, obedience and falling in love with Jesus more and more each day.

Wayne

Wayne,

I've found that it's hard to have anything approaching genuine dialogue online or on blogs. Let's talk after a screening. I'm confused though – you haven't seen the film, yet you say here that after the private screening in Palm Springs I said that we haven't attended an organized Adventist church in years and your "jaw dropped." You weren't there though, and it's incredibly disingenuous to take a line someone reported out of context.

It is hard for those who want to draw very clear lines about who is in and who is out to not just other those whose views or perspectives push us out of our cliches, assumptions, and easy definitions. Should we meet in person, it would be appropriate to talk about the challenge of finding genuine spiritual community as an Adventist where we live, and we could talk about where we worship on Friday night and on Sabbath and with whom. I've taken great pains to not misrepresent those whom I might disagree with and accept that there are different ways to be genuine, Christ-seeking, loving believers. Please extend the same courtesy when it comes to something you haven't seen and conversations you were not at so couldn't know the full context of.

I'll share the story that is on my heart today. A church plant has a great modern parable about who "belongs" at their church. Their pastor says that there are two ways to keep sheep where you want them. One way is to build a bunch of fences and pens. The other way is to have a really great well. All of the sheep come to drink from the same well, and you don't need fences. The well in this tale, of course, is Jesus. As the woman who told me this story said, "I don't know what I think about homosexuality and the Bible, but I do know that the gay couple at my church are seeking the same well. As long as we're seeking Jesus together, I figure I'm not going to be the one putting up fences and saying who is in and who is out. That's not my job. My job is to drink from the well."

If the stories in this film show anything, they show that people who don't all agree completely about theology can drink from the same well. We're seeking the same source. And I know that can be unnerving for those who find fences that separate us a lot more definitive.

Daneen Akers

Happy Sabbath Daneen. Yes… I have heard from more than one person in reference to what you stated at the screening. No I was not there. But whether it is a sermon or a conversation that is shared, people have thoughts about it. I was sharing mine.

I want to state again that this is not about the church and Adventism or even theology. This is about God’s clear and direct instructions to us. When someone comes out of the closet and declares they are gay and that there is nothing that can be done about it, there is a certain freedom.

Jesus offers that freedom in laying down our sinful lives and asking forgiveness in our shame of disobedience and our recognition of His Almighty presence. Then there is immense joy in heaven and on earth. That is the joy I have experienced and want to share with one who is bound with the chains of homosexual bondage.

At every presentation I give, I show clips from your film. Rarely am I able to talk immediately following due to be choked by the pain and emotion it brings for those who have been disillusioned, many as a result of alienation and rejection. I pray for them.

There is another story. A beautiful story. There was another garden where a guy and a girl had all one could ever possibly dream of. There were no fences. There was freedom. It was perfection at its best.

There was one simple request by its owner. Please don’t eat of this tree whatever you do. I think you know where this story goes.

There was then doubt, an accusation that the owner of the garden was unfair.

Then there was pride and a lust for knowledge.

The appeal to the senses had been made and it worked.

Then there were fences. Then there were consequences at such a high price.

It became the very first reminder to us of what can happen when we choose self over our Creator and Redeemer.

But do you know what is so incredibly beautiful about this story? The owner of the garden kept loving and appealing to the disobedient couple. They were scared for life. As we are when we disobey. But He continues to make an appeal.

We can’t live in the garden and continually do the things God has clearly asked us not to. It’s not a theological detail. It is a command from God. If we are thirsty for His truth and His love and we humbly come ready to receive, He redeems us and we continue to serve Him in obedience and humility. He forgives and He saves.

This is the same offer put before every sinner regardless of denomination. This is about a relationship with Jesus Christ.

This doesn’t mean that in the denomination that we stop pointing out sin. We distinctly clarify and identify sin an appeal to the sinner. If the sinner wants to continually and blatantly sin in the face of God and in the face of fellow believers, He has also given us direction as to how to deal with those sad and sorrowful situations.

It’s not about belonging to a club. It’s about belonging to, honoring and serving Jesus Christ. I am free… I am so so free… unlike any other freedom I have ever declared. This freedom has eternal life. The other freedom has a death sentence.

While I am grateful for your efforts to begin communication with fellow believers, I pray with all my heart that you will recognize sin, pride, selfishness and deception. And in that, always point the afflicted to the one who holds the keys to the kingdom.

The way in is narrow. Much love to you Daneen. Much love of Jesus to you, to Stephen and to those connected with this film and “It gets better.” I have huge concerns. But as I told you from the beginning of your film project. “Please prove me wrong!” Nothing would humble me and give me more pleasure at the same time to stand up and say “I was wrong about the design and message and the self-pride that stands between the sinner and Jesus that seems to taint the picture.”

I pray that you also will look beyond the film to seeking God and His Word regarding what He asks of us and the beautiful promises He offers us.

God Bless you,

Wayne

Wow!  Wayne, you are soooooo exactly correct.  Praise The Lord!