Kinship

[Gregory Matthews]

Kinship is an independent organization which is not a formal part of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination.  SDA members may have questions about it.  The link to the following article informs as to the history of Kinship and its objectives.  It is from the informational perspective that I am posting the following link.

https://spectrummagazine.org/news/2023/getting-know-sda-kinship-international-interview-floyd-poenitz

 

[Hanseng]

If I was a homosexual with an SDA background, looking for another homosexual with an SDA background, I would definitely connect with Kinship; otherwise, I would just check out Grindr.

[Hanseng]

Statement of Belief — CHANGED Movement

[Hanseng]

What Does Deuteronomy Say about Homosexuality? - TheTorah.com

[phkrause]

Great article GM.

[Hanseng]

A bit of history about Kinship: ~1980, I noticed an ad in the Advocate magazine for gay SDA to call a certain number in the Southeastern California conference. Being curious rather than gay, I went out there a few days later and met the man who had placed the ad. He was not an SDA himself. He had an affair with the [male] pastor of the SDA church in the area. The pastor, who was engaged to a woman, told her about it. She immediately went to the conference officials who, upon receiving this news, confirmed it with the pastor and terminated his employment. The man who told me this story was appalled by the rough treatment his pastor friend had received; consequently, he placed the ad in the magazine, in hope of providing support to other gay SDA who might be facing ostracism, termination, and the like. 

According to Ron Lawson, this man was one of three individuals who were running ads at that time. Not sure what became of the pastor. Never heard anything more about him, nor the man who had placed the ad. He was remembered in a Kinship article after his death.

[Hanseng]

Those interested in supporting Kinship or becoming an "ally" should be aware that their current president wants to see Pathfinder camporees used as a platform to introduce homosexuality, etc. to Adventist youth. Regarding camporees he said,  

"I was tempted to dream about attending [a camporee] and seeing how SDA Kinship could be a part and share with the youth that it is OK to be LGBTQ and Adventist."

This quote is a remark he made on a thread at Spectrum.

[Hanseng]

In case anyone thinks Kinship is kidding about introducing homosexuality to Adventist youth at Pathfinder Camporees, do some research on the gay subculture known on the street as "chickenhawks." These are individuals who prefer age discordant sexual relationships. Pedophiles fall into this category, although the gay community has, in the past, gone to great lengths to make a distinction between "them" and "us." As time goes on, the demarcation is becoming less distinct, hence the bravado of Kinship openly announcing its designs on SDA young people.

[Hanseng]

Sorry for the multiple posts on this thread; however, I am compelled to comment as someone who spent years serving this community during the AIDS crisis in the late 80s and early 90s. I was in West Hollywood and its environs nearly every day for a few years, putting in PICC lines, running TPN, teaching patients how to administer their own IV medications, managing infusion pumps, etc. I was tested twice for possible occupational exposure to HIV.  Prior to AIDS, one of the Kinship founders invited me to his home. I spent several hours chatting with him. Kinship, for some in its early days functioned, more or less, as a meat rack, i.e., a place for homosexuals to hookup for sex. These guys were no more lonely and misfit than hundreds of others roaming West Hollywood, Castro, or various other gay communities. They could also be found on SDA college campuses, looking for some quick sex with anyone foolish enough to go for it.  A few years prior to the first Kinship meeting in Prescott, Arizona Des Ford was unwelcomed to present the gospel at a camp meeting because he was too "controversial." The administration rejects the gospel due to the controversy it generates but welcomes men and women who have sex with each other, as if that's not controversial?

Homosexuals camping together overnight  are not legitimized by the presence of SDA "scholars.   SDA "scholars" are nothing more than beards for these people to disguise what they are really all about. How strange that Adventists carry on about the change of the Edenic Sabbath but let the homosexual community change the Edenic institution of heterosexual marriage.

A recent story was featured in an online SDA webzine. It described the background and work of an openly gay SDA pastor who worked in a church for many years. He is, no doubt, like many other homosexuals, a charming and likable person; nevertheless, through some ingenious arrangement, he pastored a large congregation for years as part of a team. Quite a few years ago, not far from where he worked, the same conference actually padlocked a church, shut it down over, among other things, money issues. Yet it allows a congregation to host a gay pastor. The time to sigh and cry for the abominations done in Jerusalem is upon us. 

When gay SDA missionaries start trying it on with potential converts in Africa, Asia, and other places, how is that going to play in places where sodomy is considered al crime? Will the denomination send representatives from the religious liberty department to rescue the offenders or simply wash their hands of it? Time to blow the trumpet folks, call sin by its right name, not legitimize it.

I'm not against homosexuals. I preferred their company to many SDA I know. I am against recalcitrant ones being admitted into church fellowship.

[phkrause]

8 hours ago, Hanseng said:

recalcitrant

I had to look this up! Didn't have the foggiest!! I agree with you!!!

[Gustave]

On 6/24/2023 at 6:46 PM, Hanseng said:

If I was a homosexual with an SDA background, looking for another homosexual with an SDA background, I would definitely connect with Kinship; otherwise, I would just check out Grindr.

LGBTQQAA, regardless of their denomination affiliation, are likely on Grindr. 

[Gregory Matthews]

Perhaps I should state the official SDA position on such issues:

*  All who come in peace, are welcome to worship in our congregations.

* Marriage is only accepted within a male/female arrangement.

*  Homosexuals are asked to be celibate, if they wish to become members.

* We require any homosexual clergy person to be celibate.

* SDA clergy are not allowed to perform the marriage of a homosexual couple.

*  I am aware that as a rare exception a non-celibate person has been allowed to become a member.  This would be both rare and a violation of the normative standards.

*  I am aware of SDA clergy who have been terminated from employment and clergy status for a violation of the above.

 

[Hanseng]

It's a lot easier to lie than to remain celibate, especially when one's salary, medical insurance with eyeglass and dental benefits, sustentation, status, etc., are on the line.

[Asia Joe]

On 6/1/2026 at 8:21 PM, Gregory Matthews said:

Homosexuals are asked to be celibate, if they wish to become members.

But what if they are members already. Maybe 10 or 20 years ago they were baptized as a youth, but now, choose Homosexual behavior. 

I know several cases of that. 

They don't openly broadcast it because that would cause problems.  

But their family and friends know. 

I don't see anyone addressing this issue. 

[Hanseng]

5 hours ago, Asia Joe said:

I don't see anyone addressing this issue. 

If it is addressed, it will only be on paper. Contrary to official church teaching but accepted in practice. Adventism is extremely weak when it comes to disfellowshipping people. Even disfellowshipping is just on paper. The disfellowshipee can still attend church. When Paul said a person should be delivered unto satan, he wasn't referring to a bookkeeping adjustment. People were shunned, avoided, not allowed at the Lord's table.

If they pay tithe and hold a conservative theology [except in the bedroom]it is likely they will become commonplace. They already are, in some places. Online ezines made up of either current or former SDA openly promote homosexuality, employ homosexuals, validate homosexuality.  These are not merely rogue editors. Editors are accountable to boards comprised of people who support this agenda as well. When an SDA kinship spokesperson advocated introducing SDA youth to the LGBQT+ agenda, most, if not all, online chatters simply stared at the post, like cows looking at a new gate.

Keep in mind that one of the founders of kinship was not an Adventist, not sure if he was even a Christian. He had a fetish, of sorts, for gay SDA. He must have been beside himself when kinship had its first homosexual gathering at a private and secluded camp in the mountains. It brought together people with SSA  from all over the country. This camp was the same camp meeting place from which Dr. Ford had been uninvited just a few years before. This was prior to Glacier View. He was, at that time, a theology teacher at PUC, on leave from the chairmanship of the theology department at Avondale. This was a man who a former  associate director of the BRI said was a great gospel preacher. Gospel preaching not allowed, homosexual debauchery, OK, in that conference. 

[Gustave]

"Like cows looking at a new gate".  LOL!

I realize we don't see eye to eye on many things, but I do definitely enjoy your choice of words in some cases! 

[Hanseng]

On 6/13/2026 at 5:34 PM, Asia Joe said:

I don't see anyone addressing this issue. 

Joe, Several years ago, the idea of a sexual accountability and transparency committee [SATCOM] was conceived. Their purview would include investigating suspected homosexuals in the denomination. Of course, they would approach the individuals with pastoral concern. In view of Kinship's president openly advocating the introduction of homosexuality, transgenderism, etc. to SDA youth at Pathfinder meetings, these individuals certainly pose a danger to SDA young people. Not all young people involved in homosexual activity are actually same sex attracted. Some are conned into the relationship[?] by older men who are attracted to younger men or even children. These "victims" would include youth who lack responsible parenting. SSA men groom and seduce them over time. For that reason, the church should be vocal in its protestations contra homosexuality. Protecting young people who are not actually same sex attracted but long for companionship can easily be identified by older, more experienced predator types. Pathfinders should be warned of the dangers these individuals pose. These predatory types could be exactly the kind of people you mentioned--long time members, respected in the community and church, people broken by life in a sinful world.

Research has been done on the dynamics of molestation. It sometimes occurs "accidentally" due to a specific situation, e.g, camping trips with no agenda. More often, predator types scheme to exploit vulnerable youth. The president of Kinship advocating the introduction of homosexuality to Pathfinders is no accident. It is  a scheme.

 

 

 

[Asia Joe]

Well I don't know very much about this topic, but I agree with you, It is a scheme. 

I grew up in Michigan and left there about 20 years ago. I have been on Club Adventist a long time. There was nothing like you describe there back then. I doubt much has changed. But I realize it is possible that I was just not aware of this kind of things because it was out of my circle of friends and there are times when I am naive. 

I assume this is mostly a west coast thing, although I would not be surprised if it is spreading. 

I agree we need to be careful and protective. Australia has developed training programs for this kind of thing. The adults who work with the children are encouraged to take the course and be certified. Then pastors and nominating committees focus on people who have the certificates. They seem to be proactive in this area. I think it would be helpful if NAD adopted these measures. 

I am also reminded of the Ohio pastor who was recently involved with a young girl. 

Perhaps this is an area that we need to give much more attention to. Perhaps the people I have seen complaining about this, were right all along. It has just been well hidden. 

I don't understand how it happens, but I can clearly see we as a church, need to recognize the problem and take action. 

[Asia Joe]

USA is the number one country when it comes to Homosexuality. Philippines is number two. 

Thing are very different here. Different dynamics.  The homosexual people here are not in your face. In the capital city, Manila they are slightly more active in politics. Here they are called Gays. Either male or female, they are gays. It's a derogatory term. Females are slightly more accepted, but cannot achieve much status or promotion. Males are laughed at or ridiculed. No one takes them seriously. 

I have known many here. Sadly too many. 

There are several reasons why they choose this lifestyle, but the root cause is severe insecurity. Often there was severe trauma as a youth.  This is their way of coping. It is a very sad thing to see. There is no reasoning with them, because the root cause is deeply emotional. Some of them feel trapped in these feelings. Often the parents contributed to the problem, out of ignorance or lack of skills. Sometimes the parents were also recovering from this trauma and were incapable of helping the children. 

Emotionally damaged children are very common in third world.  I am sure this is why Thailand has so many sexual tourists. The government here understands the danger of foreign predators and is active in prosecuting and preventing. A foreigner with a sexual criminal record of any kind is rejected at the port of entry, if he is in their database. 

Some well-meaning ex-pats have gotten into trouble taking the neighborhood children to town for ice cream. A policeman stops them and finds out that one or two are not relative, he arrests them.  I have been very careful not to give rides to underage children, even in a group, even friends of my children from the church. A local can do it, but I cannot. 

But there is no scheming here. 

I am sure it will continue to be a problem here. I have seen no one who knows how to solve this problem. It seems like, no one is interested in solving the problem.  Possibly it's just to big of a problem.