Life and Family Beliefs.

Marriage and Sexuality
We believe that the term “marriage” has only one legitimate meaning, and that is marriage sanctioned by God, which joins one man and one woman in a single, covenantal union as delineated by Scripture. Marriage ceremonies performed in any facility or space owned, leased, or rented by this church will be only those ceremonies sanctioned by God, joining one man with one woman as their genders were determined by anatomy at birth (and not subject to change). Whenever there is a conflict between the church’s position and any new legal standard for marriage, the church’s statement of faith, doctrines, and biblical positions will govern.

(Gen. 2:24; Eph. 5:22-23; Mark 10:6-9; I Cor. 7:1-9)

We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in, outside of marriage, as defined in (a) above. We believe that any other type of sexual activity, identity, or expression that lies outside of this definition of marriage, including those that are becoming more accepted in the culture and the courts, are contradictory to God’s natural design and purpose for sexual activity.

(Gen. 2:24; Gen. 19:5; Lev 18:1-30; Rom 1:26-29; 1 Cor 5:1; 6:9-10; 1 Thes 4:1-8; Heb 13:4)

We believe that God creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, unchangeable genders, together reflect the image and nature of God, and the rejection of one's biological gender is a rejection of the image of God within that person. (Gen1:26-27)

Divorce and Remarriage.
We believe that God disapproves of and forbids divorce except in cases of adultery. Although divorced and remarried persons or divorced persons may hold positions of service in the church and be greatly used of God for Christian service, they may not be considered as a pastor, or hold the office of deacon or elder.

(Mal. 2:14-17; Matt. 19:3-12; Mark 10:11-12; Rom. 7:1-3; I Tim. 3:2, 12; Titus 1:6; I Cor. 7:10-16)

Sanctity of Life
We believe that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a living human being. We believe that abortion is murder & constitutes the unjustified, unexcused taking of unborn human life.

(Job 3:16; Ps 51:5; 139:13-16; Isa 44:24; 49:1,5; Jer 1:5; 20:15-18; Luke 1:36, 44)

We believe that an intentional act or omission that facilitates premature death, is assuming a decision that is to be reserved for God. We do not believe that discontinuing medical procedures that are extraordinary or disproportionate to the expected outcome is euthanasia.

(Ex. 20:13; 23:7; Matt. 5:21; Acts 17:28)

Love.
We believe that we should demonstrate love for others, not only toward fellow believers, but also toward those who are not believers, those who oppose us, and those who engage in sinful actions.

We are to deal graciously, humbly, gently, and patiently with those who oppose us. God forbids the stirring up of strife, the taking of revenge, or the threat or use of violence as a means of resolving personal conflict or obtaining personal justice. Although God commands us to abhor sinful actions, we are to love and pray for any person who engages in such actions.

(Lev. 19:18; Matt. 5:44-48; Luke 6:31; John 13:34-35; Rom. 12:9-10; 17-21; 13:8-10; Phil. 2:2-4; 2 Tim. 2:24-26; Titus 3:2; I Peter 3:8-9; 1 John 3:17-18)

Lawsuits within the Church.
We believe that Christians are prohibited from bringing civil lawsuits within the church. We do believe, however, that a Christian may seek compensation for injuries from another Christian’s insurance company as long as the claim is pursued without malice or slander.

(1 Cor. 6:1-8; Eph. 4:31-32)

Christ-honoring Music
We do not believe that music is amoral, therefore it must be given careful consideration. We believe songs or styles with the recognized characteristics of rock music or rock performances are unacceptable. Consequently, we believe the genres of music often referred to as “Christian Rock” or “Contemporary Christian Music” are to be avoided. We believe distinction and discernment in music is necessary for believers to appropriately walk in the Spirit, and not in the flesh.

(1 Cor 14:7; Col 3:16; Gal 5:16–17; Eph 5:17–19; 1 Thes 5:22)

Protection of Children.
We believe that children are an heritage from the Lord, and must be absolutely 100% protected within the church from any form of abuse or molestation. The church has zero tolerance for any person, whether paid staff, volunteer, member, or visitor, who abuses or molests a child.

(Ps. 127:3-5; Matt. 18:6, 19:14; Mark 10:14)

Family Relationships
We believe that men and women are spiritually equal in position before God, but that God has ordained distinct and separate spiritual functions (roles), for men and women in the home and the church. The husband is to be the leader of the home, and men are to be the leaders (pastors, deacons, elders, and trustees) of the church.

(Gal. 3:28; Col. 3:18; 1 Tim. 2:8-15; 3:4-5, 12)

We believe that God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. The husband is to love his wife as Christ loves the church. The wife is to submit herself to the spiritual leadership of her husband, as the church submits to the headship of Christ. Children are a wonderful gift and heritage from the Lord. Parents are responsible for teaching their children spiritual and biblical values through consistent lifestyle examples, appropriate training and discipline, and faithful church attendance.

(Gen. 1:26-28; Ex. 20:12; Deut. 6:4-9; Ps. 127:3-5; 22:15; Mk. 10:6-12; 1 Cor. 7:1-16; Eph. 5:21-33; 6:1-4; Col. 3:18-21; 1 Pet. 3:1-7)

In the Bible, God entrusts parents with responsibility for their children. Church activities and even Christian schools, by design, operate on behalf of the parents. These responsibilities include the parents’ making decisions regarding church attendance, education, healthcare, discipline, and a variety of other life choices. God instructs PARENTS to train their children consistent with their faith.

(Exodus 20:12; Deut. 4:6, 6: 6-9; Ps. 127:3-5; Eph. 6:4 Prov. 4:20-23, 19:18, 22:6.)