Foundational Family Values
1. Our Biblical View of the Sanctity of Life.
We believe the Bible teaches that God is the ultimate source and sustainer of all human life (Genesis 1:27; Psalm 31:15; Isaiah 45:12; 1 Timothy 6:13); and that human life begins at the moment of conception (Psalm 51:5, 58:3; Jeremiah 1:5). As a result, all human life is to be respected and valued as God's sacred work, and should be preserved and protected in a manner consistent with biblical ethics. Moreover, we encourage the body of Christ to speak out on behalf of those whose lives are threatened and are unable to speak out for themselves.
2. Our Biblical View of Marriage and Parenting.
We believe the Bible sets forth a clear precedent and upholds a consistent description of God's definition of marriage. At the outset of mankind's existence, God established the institution of marriage as the union of a man and a woman (Genesis 1:27, 2:18-23). This model for marriage is exclusively maintained and endorsed throughout the biblical record (Matthew 19:4; Ephesians 5:22-28). Unions beyond the confines of this definition do not constitute biblical marriage. Accordingly, this ministry will not perform any marriage ceremonies between two individuals of the same sex. It will not condone or recognize such same-sex marriages, civil unions, or domestic partnerships even if the state passes laws that provide for recognition of such unions.
We believe that God's ordained order for the family unit is for husbands to sacrificially love (Ephesians 5:25) and spiritually lead their wives (Ephesians 5:26), and for wives to sacrificially submit to their husband's spiritual authority (Ephesians 5:22-23). This dynamic is ultimately governed by a mutual submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in both of their lives (Ephesians 5:21). Parents are responsible for teaching their children spiritual and moral values and leading them (Deuteronomy 6:4-9), through consistent lifestyle example and appropriate discipline, including scriptural corporal correction (Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 6:1-4).
The Bible recognizes that the ideal of male and female parents isn't always possible, and that a single parent household is occasionally necessary due to death, abandonment, or other factors. In such cases, the Bible honors the office of the single parent and acknowledges the provision of God's grace (Genesis 16:11; 1 Kings 17:9).
3. Our Biblical View of Gender Identity, Sexual Orientation and Sexual Behavior.
We believe that each human being is deliberately born into this world under the providential superintendence of God (Psalm 100:3, Proverbs 22:2), and that their gender at the time of their birth reflects His purpose for their lives (Jeremiah 1:5). Consequently, it is contrary to God's will, and is therefore sinful, to modify one's gender-identity whether physical or psychological. We believe the Bible is also very specific regarding acceptable sexual behavior. Acceptable sexual behavior is exclusively reserved to occur within the confines of a monogamous marriage union of a consenting man and woman (Matthew 5:28; 1 Corinthians 7:2-3; Hebrews 13:4). Any sexual behavior outside of this relationship is considered to be fornication and therefore prohibited within the scope of God's will (Ephesians 5:3; 1 Thessalonians 4:3- 5).
4. Our Biblical Convictions about Foster Care and Adoption.
We believe that it is God's will to bless married couples which live according to these guidelines with children (Genesis 3:16, 4:1). In most instances, this blessing occurs through the natural biological process, but in some cases adoption is the means by which God blesses a husband and wife with children. The principle of adoption is extolled in scripture and is even identified as being endemic to God's nature (Psalm 68:6; Ephesians 1:5; Galatians 4:5-7). Consequently, the Church supports the principle and process of adoption while requiring all prospective candidates for foster parenting and adoption to agree with and adhere to the aforementioned standards as defined by the Bible.
Any other attitude towards or form of marriage, parenting, gender identity, sexual orientation or sexual behavior is in fundamental conflict with our sincerely held religious beliefs; making these practices something we are unable to support or facilitate in any manner in good conscience.
1. Our Biblical View of the Sanctity of Life.
We believe the Bible teaches that God is the ultimate source and sustainer of all human life (Genesis 1:27; Psalm 31:15; Isaiah 45:12; 1 Timothy 6:13); and that human life begins at the moment of conception (Psalm 51:5, 58:3; Jeremiah 1:5). As a result, all human life is to be respected and valued as God's sacred work, and should be preserved and protected in a manner consistent with biblical ethics. Moreover, we encourage the body of Christ to speak out on behalf of those whose lives are threatened and are unable to speak out for themselves.
2. Our Biblical View of Marriage and Parenting.
We believe the Bible sets forth a clear precedent and upholds a consistent description of God's definition of marriage. At the outset of mankind's existence, God established the institution of marriage as the union of a man and a woman (Genesis 1:27, 2:18-23). This model for marriage is exclusively maintained and endorsed throughout the biblical record (Matthew 19:4; Ephesians 5:22-28). Unions beyond the confines of this definition do not constitute biblical marriage. Accordingly, this ministry will not perform any marriage ceremonies between two individuals of the same sex. It will not condone or recognize such same-sex marriages, civil unions, or domestic partnerships even if the state passes laws that provide for recognition of such unions.
We believe that God's ordained order for the family unit is for husbands to sacrificially love (Ephesians 5:25) and spiritually lead their wives (Ephesians 5:26), and for wives to sacrificially submit to their husband's spiritual authority (Ephesians 5:22-23). This dynamic is ultimately governed by a mutual submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in both of their lives (Ephesians 5:21). Parents are responsible for teaching their children spiritual and moral values and leading them (Deuteronomy 6:4-9), through consistent lifestyle example and appropriate discipline, including scriptural corporal correction (Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 6:1-4).
The Bible recognizes that the ideal of male and female parents isn't always possible, and that a single parent household is occasionally necessary due to death, abandonment, or other factors. In such cases, the Bible honors the office of the single parent and acknowledges the provision of God's grace (Genesis 16:11; 1 Kings 17:9).
3. Our Biblical View of Gender Identity, Sexual Orientation and Sexual Behavior.
We believe that each human being is deliberately born into this world under the providential superintendence of God (Psalm 100:3, Proverbs 22:2), and that their gender at the time of their birth reflects His purpose for their lives (Jeremiah 1:5). Consequently, it is contrary to God's will, and is therefore sinful, to modify one's gender-identity whether physical or psychological. We believe the Bible is also very specific regarding acceptable sexual behavior. Acceptable sexual behavior is exclusively reserved to occur within the confines of a monogamous marriage union of a consenting man and woman (Matthew 5:28; 1 Corinthians 7:2-3; Hebrews 13:4). Any sexual behavior outside of this relationship is considered to be fornication and therefore prohibited within the scope of God's will (Ephesians 5:3; 1 Thessalonians 4:3- 5).
4. Our Biblical Convictions about Foster Care and Adoption.
We believe that it is God's will to bless married couples which live according to these guidelines with children (Genesis 3:16, 4:1). In most instances, this blessing occurs through the natural biological process, but in some cases adoption is the means by which God blesses a husband and wife with children. The principle of adoption is extolled in scripture and is even identified as being endemic to God's nature (Psalm 68:6; Ephesians 1:5; Galatians 4:5-7). Consequently, the Church supports the principle and process of adoption while requiring all prospective candidates for foster parenting and adoption to agree with and adhere to the aforementioned standards as defined by the Bible.
Any other attitude towards or form of marriage, parenting, gender identity, sexual orientation or sexual behavior is in fundamental conflict with our sincerely held religious beliefs; making these practices something we are unable to support or facilitate in any manner in good conscience.