We believe that the term “marriage” has only one meaning and that is marriage sanctioned by God, which joins one biological, natural-born man and one biological, natural-born woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture. Though various cultures and customs have evolving definitions on marriage, it is God alone who has ultimate authority to prescribe and describe the marital relationship. Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:1-9, Mark 10: 1-2
We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to only occur between a man and a woman who are married to each other. We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman.
We believe that any form of sexual immorality, such as adultery, fornication, homosexuality, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, pornography or any attempt to change one’s sex, or disagreement with one’s biological, natural-born sex, is sinful and
offensive to God. Also, the Church regards as sinful the intent or desire to surgically alter one’s biological, natural-born sex to a different sex. Since the body is a creation of God, the church holds sexual identity to be biologically determined by God at conception, and associated gender norms are to be observed as appropriate to biblical standards. Genesis 1:27; Romans 1:26-32; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
So we believe, according to Scripture, that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity. Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with Scripture nor the doctrines of the church.
We believe that in order to preserve the function and integrity of the Church as the local Body of Christ, and to provide a biblical role model to the church members and the community, it is imperative that all persons employed by the church in any capacity, or who serve as volunteers, should abide by and agree to the Statement on Marriage and Sexuality and conduct themselves accordingly.
