The other story in this package is... Former students speak on their lives

The official stance of Seattle Pacific University on the issue of homosexuality calls for the balance between the church’s traditional position and grace.

According to Dean of the Chapel Tim Dearborn, SPU believes that God created humans for heterosexual relationships and that the practice of homosexuality is contrary to the purposes of God.

But he also says that the university must respond to the issue sensitively.

"These are peoples’ lives and we as a community and people need to respond to one another sensitively in a way that both affirms grace and truth," Dearborn says.

Les Steele, dean of the school of theology, recognizes homosexuality as an issue at any university, "particularly one that seeks to engage the culture."

According to Steele, homosexuality is obviously a part of society today and believes that the church, along with other institutions, has probably been too harsh in the past when dealing with this issue.

"We need to bring this issue up in a caring and open way," Steele says. "But the polarities make it scary territory to try and engage."

The Lifestyle Expectations, as outlined in the Seattle Pacific University handbook, list "homosexual sexual activities" as "behaviors for which students or student organizations are subject to disciplinary action."

According to Dean of Students Kathleen Braden, the wording of that statement was changed for this year’s handbook from "homosexual activities" to "homosexual sexual activities."

The wording was changed to specify actual homosexual sexual activity, and not the participation in organizations or forums relating to homosexuality, Braden says.

"Adding the word "sexual" also made it more in keeping with our lifestyle expectations against pre-marital or extra-marital sex," Braden says.

SPU’s official Statement of Human Sexuality from the Office of Student Life is less specific.

The only mention of homosexuality comes in the second paragraph and states, "Because they [human beings] are created in God’s image, human persons must be treated with respect and dignity by all institutions in society whether those persons be male or female, young or old, rich or poor, believer or unbeliever, homosexual or heterosexual."

According to Steele, SPU needs an official document other than what is written about homosexuality in the handbook.

"I think we need some more clarity on the issue," Steele says. "We need a good, sound, scriptural and theological piece that articulates our position."

For now, SPU "follows the Book of Discipline of the Free Methodist Church which conforms to the long standing tradition of the Christian church," Steele says.

Dearborn recognizes the issue of homosexuality is a central issue in which the body of Christ is currently divided.

"This issue is a confusing one," Dearborn says. "And it is complex for our community here at SPU."

Dearborn believes that SPU, as a university, is not in a position where homosexual practice can be embraced.

"As an administration, we’re seeking to understand this issue more fully," Dearborn says. "Right now, we would assert that all humans are broken - and that homosexuality is a form of brokenness that is not a worthy personal identity."

Instead, Dearborn believes a person’s identity should be found in Christ.

"The question of how to deal with this issue is how we call one another to lives of integrity," Dearborn says. "We are all broken, whether we lie or cheat or have extra-marital sex, so how do we become a healing community that leads us toward the fullness of life in Christ?"

Dearborn understands there are people who adamantly disagree with his position.

But from what he understands about the Bible, homosexuality is not "God’s creative intention for people."

"Regardless of my homosexual friends that I have and interact with often, I view homosexual orientation as a manifestation of the brokenness we all experience in different ways," Dearborn says. "The question is not, ’Was I made this way?’ the question is, ’How do I experience God’s best for my life?"

Dearborn says he would refer students who may be struggling with this issue to the SPU counseling center. For those with questions about their sexual orientation and their spirituality, students are welcome to talk to Dearborn or any of the Campus Ministries staff who would approach the conversation with pastoral confidentiality.

"It is imperative that we understand God’s purpose for our lives and for our community," Dearborn says. "God would have the Christian community be a place where no one, of any orientation, feels marginalized and where everyone experiences the fullness of Christ."