Concerning the Coming-out of Saša Gunjević

The public statements of Pastor Saša Gunjević concerning his sexual orientation have created significant concern among leaders and church members in Germany, in the territory of the Inter-European Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church (EUD), and beyond. Questions have been addressed to the administration of various fields and the division regarding his coming-out address and the ensuing public discussion. 

The EUD administration recognizes this is a sensitive and difficult question that must be handled carefully. To avoid misunderstandings, over the last decades, the Seventh-day Adventist Church has issued several documents and official statements on homosexuality and transgenderism. The EUD administration wants to emphasize that it fully supports and affirms these statements and the biblical perspective on sexuality they reflect. 

Having listened to the affirmations of Pastor Saša Gunjević in his coming-out address as well as his various public statements, we regret that he openly promotes views that undermine and contradict the position of the church. We consider that his open rejection of the official position of the worldwide church disqualifies him for pastoral ministry. The administration of the EUD will work with the Hanseatic Conference, in close consultation with the North German Union, to address this issue and reconsider the status of his credentials. 

The original version of this article appeared in the Inter-European Division news site.