Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality

We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God (Genesis 1:26-27). Rejection of one’s biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person, and is sin against God in all cultures and for all generations.

We believe that the term “marriage” has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Holy Scripture (Genesis 2:18-25). We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between one man and one woman who are married to each other (Hebrews 13:4). We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman (Matthew 19:4-6).

We believe that any form of sexual immorality (including adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, bisexual behavior, transgendered behavior, bestiality, incest, and use of pornography) is sinful and offensive to God (Matthew 15:18-20; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10) and is incompatible with biblical teaching.

We believe God’s design is that a man and woman either be joined together in a perpetual monogamous relationship of marriage, or live in a state of singleness. The Church maintains the only sexual orientation is heterosexuality.  We teach the Bible does not affirm that homosexuality, bisexuality or transgendered sexuality is an orientation, but is willful sin against God.  

We believe homosexuality, bisexuality, transgendered sexuality, same-sex unions and same-sex marriages are sin in all cultures and for all generations. The Church does not recognize nor give validity to homosexuality, bisexuality or transgendered sexuality as an orientation, nor does the Church approve, recognize or give validity to same-sex unions or same-sex marriages.

By the Church maintaining such a position, the homosexual, bisexual and transgendered person may be adequately warned and encouraged to demonstrate faith and belief in the Gospel of Christ, trust Christ as Savior and Lord, repent of sin, disavow homosexuality, bisexuality and transgendered sexuality, same sex unions and same sex marriage, and be set free from such sins.

We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ (Acts 3:19-21; Romans 10:9-10). The teaching of the Bible on marriage, gender, and sexuality safeguards the Church from being deceived by erroneous philosophies that seek to promote the approval of immoral sexuality, same-sex unions and same-sex marriages (Gen. 1:26-28; 2:18-25; Lev. 18:22; 20:13: Matt. 19:1-6; Rom. 1:18-32; Jude v. 5-7).

The Church does not permit same-sex unions nor same-sex weddings to be conducted in any Church buildings nor on Church propety. In no event shall persons or groups who hold, advance, or advocate beliefs, or advance, advocate, or engage in practices that contradict the Church’s Constitution and Bylaws, which includes this Statement on Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality, use any church facility or use any portion of the church property. Nor may any church facility or any portion of the church property be used in a way that contradicts the Church’s Constitution and Bylaws, which includes this Statement on Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality. This applies to all church property facilities and property, regardless of whether the facilities are connected to the church’s sanctuary, because the Church sees all of its facilities and property as set apart to worship God

We believe that in order to preserve the function and integrity of the Church, it is imperative that all persons employed by the Church in any capacity, or who serve as volunteers, or who are Church members, or hold any office, or are officers, or who attend the Church, agree to and abide by the Church’s Constitution and Bylaws, which includes this Statement on Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality (Matthew 5:16; Philippians 2:14-16; 1 Thessalonians 5:22).

We believe this statement on marriage, gender, and sexuality represents the truth and love taught in the Bible. We believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect and dignity as defined in the Bible, regardless of their own personal view on marriage, gender and sexuality (Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:27-36). Hateful and harassing attitudes and actions, and violent behavior directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with the Bible nor the beliefs of the Church.

We believe truth and love as taught in the Bible compels the Church to teach that immoral sexuality, same-sex unions and same-sex marriages are sinful and offensive to God. We believe the Church should maintain and teach this belief without apology, while maintaining a disposition and attitude that is calm and respectful toward people who hold to a different position on marriage, gender, and sexuality.