This is the calling for participants in the 4th LGBT-Christians of Eastern Europe and Central Asia Forum (September 16-18, 2011, St Petersburg, Russia). It united LGBT Christians from Russia, Ukraine, Moldavia, Kyrgyzstan and Estonia. Quoting the words of Christ, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” (John 10:27-28), referring to the resolution of the 3rd International LBGT Christians Forum “Knocking on Heaven’s Door” (approved on September 5, 2010), we address to:
- LGBT Christians
1.1. Remember that God loves all people, including Christians, with unconditional love regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity.
1.2. Rely on the promise of Jesus Christ which He gave to disciples that no one will snatch them out of His hand (John 10:28). God does not judge us LGBT people for our sexual orientation and gender identity; therefore all LGBT Christians have opportunity to live in peace with God and with themselves without any attempts to change their sexual orientation/identity.
1.3. Realize that God blesses relations between two mature individuals if they are based on mutual love, harmony, faith and respect – regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity.
1.4. Unite with other LGBT Christians for mutual support and establishing background for changes in our churches and remembering apostle words “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up” (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
- Believers
2.1. Welcome LGBT Christians to your congregations with love and without judgment – guided by the words of Apostle Paul “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” (Romans 12:10)
2.2. Admonish aggression, violence and homophobia towards LGBT Christians remembering the warning of prophet Isaiah “For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery and wrongdoing…” (Isaiah 62:8).
- Churches and religious communities
3.1. Welcome LGBT Christians to your churches and religious communities without demand of rejecting their sexual orientation and gender identity or forced abstinence on grounds Christ’s words, “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31).
3.2. Reject use in churches methods based on reparative therapy as it is an abusive practice and contrary to modern scientific knowledge.
3.3. Use affirmative methods for Bible study.
3.4. Admonish and suppress calls for violence towards LGBT community which arise in churches or in their name.
3.5. Recognize that homophobia and, in particular, religious homophobia is a phenomenon that conflicts with Christian values of love and harmony since “God is love” (1 John 4:16).
- LGBT Community
4.1. Welcome and respect LGBT Christians as an essential part of LGBT Community.
4.2. Cooperate with LGBT Christians to achieve common aim regardless of different views on religion.