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Robert Millner Adams

Statement of Commitment Testimony

I have signed the Statement because:

• my own gay son, now age 45, whom I dearly love and respect, has long ago shown me the worth and integrity of a person whom God has created gay.
• Current scientific research has led me to believe that homosexuality is NOT a choice, but a given of nature.
• Jesus, not Leviticus, is my guide in Biblical matters, and Jesus' own attitude to those deemed unclean by the self-righteous is forming my attitudes in this matter.
• If my denomination accepts liturgies blessings buildings, animals, ball parks, and church closures, I think it appropriate to bless covenants between persons who love each other and are making a lifetime commitment to each other. Such commitments are a rare gift.
• Not only do I BELIEVE in gay and lesbian clergy: I have SEEN them, HEARD them, and been blest by their spirituality.

I do not feel defiant about all of this. I just feel it is time to stand, as an expression of my lifetime commitment to Jesus of Nazareth and the One who is bringing us all into being. I pray daily for the unity of God's people in the Spirit that was in Jesus Christ.

I am a member of the Wisconsin Conference since 1950, retired and serving now and then as interim pastor where invited to do so. I am twice widowed, have three great sons and four grandchildren. I am more interested in building bridges than in erecting walls.

Robert Millner Adams
Wisconsin Annual Conference
March 31, 1998

Note: The Statement of Commitment was released on March 2, 1998 and retired on December 24, 2000. A total of 378 clergy who signed it. CORNET is no longer taking signatures for this document. The Laity Faith and Solidarity Pledge was released on March 2, 1998 and retired on December 24, 2000. a total of 797 people signed the document. See also:

• Final list of clergy signers of the Statement of Commitment
• Final list of laity signers of Faith and Solidarity Pledge.

CORNET, a program of Affirmation, is a grassroots network that seeks to continue the tradition of hosting worship services that celebrate and witness to same-gender covenant relationships in United Methodist churches and resists actions that try to withdraw this means of grace from same-gender persons. . Signers of the Statement of Commitment are not necessarily "members" of CORNET or any of the groups associated with Proclaiming the Vision. Their testimonies are their own as individuals and do not represent official statements of Affirmation, CORNET, Methodist Federation for Social Action, the Reconciling Congregation Program and/or Proclaiming the Vision.