Stephen Yeagley, the associate vice president for Campus & Student Life at Andrews University, is leaving the university after his position was terminated by the university administration.
Stephen Yeagley first attended Andrews as a graduate student in the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary. Yeagley also earned his doctorate of ministry degree with a concentration in youth and young adult ministries in 2015. Yeagley shared that he felt called by God to be of service to young people. After graduation, he served as a pastor in several churches before becoming a full-time staff member of Andrews University in 1998.
Yeagley worked closely with the DIE (Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity) officer at Andrews, until that individual left the university.
Yeagley also contributed to the 2021 book The LGBT+ Divide: Identity, Shame, and Equality Before God and the Church. Some excerpts from that book:
“In response to our findings, we believe it is important for parents, family members, church members, and friends of LGBT+ youth to understand: (1) that they are not alone; (2) that it takes great strength and courage for an LGBT+ loved one to come out; (3) that their reaction to a loved one’s coming out has a direct impact on that young person’s wellbeing; (4) that their support and care for their loved one is vitally important, even if they are confused by or uncomfortable with their loved one’s orientation or identity; (5) that significant others (parents, families, friends, church members, youth pastors) need to seek understanding and knowledge of LGBT+ issues; (6) that affirming their love for an LGBT+ family member or friend is their first business, not trying to change their sexual orientation or gender identity; and, (7) that it is important for them to communicate to LGBT+ youth that both they and God love them unconditionally, even as they seek to come to terms with that young person’s orientation or identity in the context of their religious beliefs.”
“If we wish to keep Seventh-day Adventist LGBT+ youth and adults in our congregations, we must create safe, loving spaces for LGBT+ individuals to attend and flourish. We must refuse to use shame and relational disconnection as tools to induce guilt or change or as a form of punishment. This only creates lasting harm. Rather than hearing condemnation, they should be welcomed and included as equals before God and other church members. While everyone in the church may not agree on the interpretation of Biblical texts, all can agree with Jesus that the greatest commandment is to love. While there may be much discussion about how that love is demonstrated, it must start with conversations that make room for greater levels of understanding and compassion. It is only in these sometimes difficult spaces of conversation that long-term change will happen. As we are trying to manifest this love in meaningful ways, we must remind ourselves that we are all beneficiaries of God’s continuing grace. This grace can allow us to offer tangible love and support to LGBT+ children and their families, thereby creating safe spaces where all can be embraced as God’s beloved children.”
Observations
“It takes great strength and courage for an LGBT+ loved one to come out.”
‘Coming out’ is a substitutionary New Birth or Conversion. It is a false ‘born again’ experience, a sacrament of paganism.
“Thus saith the Lord GOD; Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations” (Ezekiel 14:6).
“Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9).
Purging LGBTQ+-affirming administrators from Andrews is a good step in the direction of reformation. There will be more house-cleaning at Andrews. Be patient with the the new leadership, the University went downhill for over a decade. It takes time to purge dead wood from the tree.
“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you” (Acts 3:19).
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