Family

     We believe God is the originator of the family. God established the family in His inaugural act of the marriage between Adam and Eve. God further defines the family by commanding married couples to have children. We believe the ultimate purpose of the family is to glorify and honor God by forming the spiritual, emotional, physical, and economic foundation of the church and society. We believe that the family is God's original and primary means of producing a godly offspring and of passing on godly values from generation to generation (see Genesis 1:26 28; Psalm 78:5 7; Deuteronomy 6:4 9).

 

Marriage. We believe God, not man, created marriage. We believe marriage was the first institution designed by God. We believe the Bible teaches that the covenant of marriage is sacred and life long. The Bible makes it clear that marriage is a legally binding public declaration of commitment and a private consummation between one man and one woman, never between the same sex. We believe God created marriage for the purpose of couples glorifying God as one flesh, parenting godly children, and enjoying sexual pleasure. Marriage is that sacred institution of God in which men and women can experience the truest sense of spiritual, emotional, and physical intimacy, so that the two can become one. Oneness, however, does not mean equal roles. Just as the Trinity reflects equal worth with differing roles, we believe God created a man and a woman with equal worth but with differing roles and responsibilities in marriage (see Genesis 2:18 25; Ephesians 5:30 32; 1 Corinthians 7:3; Matthew 19:4 6; Mark 10:6 9; Proverbs 27:17; Romans 1:26 27, 8:29; Hebrews 13:4; Matthew 22:30; Mark 12:25; Deuteronomy 24:5; Song of Solomon).

 

Divorce. We believe God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16). We believe divorce brings harm to every person involved. Therefore, reconciliation of a marriage should be encouraged and divorce discouraged (Mark 10:6-12). We also believe that God allows for divorce in certain situations. We believe the Bible teaches that God allows for divorce in the case of adultery (Matthew 5:31-32; 19:3-9) and in the case where an unbelieving spouse has chosen to abandon the commitment of marriage (1 Cor. 7:15). We believe, however, that it is God's priority that marital oneness be restored and that, through the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ, forgiveness and reconciliation be experienced. We believe that in the unfortunate case of abuse and abandonment, God has provided protection for an abused spouse and provision for child support through the church, civil law, godly counselors, prayer, and other practical measures. We believe God can restore broken people and broken marriages by His grace, by the power of His Spirit, and by His practical truths found in the Bible.

 

Duties of Husbands. We believe God has charged each husband to fulfill the responsibility of being the head and leader of his wife, and to honor her as a gift from God. We believe God created a man incomplete, and as a husband, he needs his wife as his helper (Genesis 2:18-25). We believe a husband will give account before God for how he has loved, served, and provided for his wife. We reject the notion that a husband is to dominate his wife. Rather, we believe his responsibility is to love his wife. This love is characterized by taking the initiative to love her sacrifically in the same way that Jesus Christ initiated sacrificial love for His Church (Ephesians 5:25-29). We believe his responsibility is to protect his wife and help provide for her physical, emotional, and spiritual needs (1 Timothy 5:8). We believe it is a husband’s responsibility to instruct His wife in the truths of the Christian faith so that she grows spiritually (1 Corinthians 14:35). We also believe a husband is to seek after and highly regard his wife's opinion and counsel and treat her as an equal heir of the grace of eternal life (1 Peter 3:7).

 

Duties of Wives. We believe God has charged each wife to fulfill the responsibility of being her husband's helper. We believe a wife will give account to God for how she has loved, respected, and obeyed her husband. We uphold the biblical truth that she is of equal value with her husband before God. She has equally been made in God’s image. We reject the notion that a wife should assume the leadership responsibilities of her husband. We believe that her responsibility is willingly to respect, and submit to her husband as the leader in the marriage relationship and in his vocational calling (see Genesis 2:18 25; Ephesians 5:22 33; Colossians 3:18; 1 Peter 3:1 6; Proverbs 31:10 12).

 

Sexual Union. We believe the Bible clearly states that marriage is the only context for sexual intimacy. We believe contemporary culture is pressing single people to engage prematurely in acts that are intended only for the context of marriage. Our culture has rejected God's plan for intimacy by promoting sexual promiscuity of various kinds and, as a consequence, has brought upon itself sexual diseases and relational dysfunctions. We believe in sexual purity and fidelity. Therefore, we are committed to training parents to teach their children at an early age to respect their sexuality and to preserve their virginity and purity until marriage. We are committed to communicating the message to teenagers, single adults, and married couples that sexual intimacy is available only in the context of marriage (see Genesis 1:24 25; Romans 1:24-¬27; 1 Thessalonians 4:3 8).

 

Children. We believe children are the gifts of God and should be received and treated as such. We believe a child's life begins at conception. We believe children have a special responsibility to God in obeying and honoring their parents. We believe a child's identity and spiritual growth is either helped or hindered by his parent's devotion to God. Parents should see themselves as God's ambassadors, working to build strong character in the lives of their children through consistent godly living, nurturing, discipline, and teaching them right from wrong. We are committed to God's plan for passing His grace from one generation to another by encouraging parents to train their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (see Genesis 18:19; Psalm 78:5-8; 127:3 6; 139:13 16; Proverbs 4:1, 6:20; Ephesians 6:1 3; Colossians 3:20).

 

Duties of Fathers. We believe God has charged a father to execute the responsibilities of a family leader. He is accountable before God to lead his family by sacrificially loving his wife and children and by providing for their physical and spiritual. We believe a father should teach his children, by instruction and example, truth from the Bible and how to apply it practically in daily life. We believe a father should demonstrate godly character revealed in humility, tenderness, and patience toward his children. We believe a father should demonstrate love by practicing consistent discipline with each child. Therefore, we are committed to exhorting every father to model a love for God and His word, to model love for his wife, and love to his children (see Malachi 4:6; Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:20 21; Deuteronomy 6:4 9; 1 Timothy 3:4 5, 5:8).

 

Role of Mothers. We believe God has uniquely designed women to be mothers. We also believe God has created a woman with an innate and special ability to nurture and care for her children. Therefore, we believe mothers are the primary people who execute the vital responsibilities of loving, nurturing, and mentoring children. We believe these responsibilities should be met before a mother contemplates any other duties. We believe our culture has devalued the role of a mother by placing greater significance on activities outside the home than on those inside the home. We realize there are cases where a mother will find it necessary to work outside the home; however, we also believe some couples have made career and lifestyle choices that result in de-¬emphasizing the mother's role as nurturer. Therefore, we are committed to encouraging mothers to focus their primary attention on the home, and not on a career. We are committed to exhorting mothers to model love for God and His Word, to model love for her husband, and to love her children (see Titus 2:4 5; 1 Thess. 2:7; Proverbs 14:1, 31:1 31; Deuteronomy 6:6, 11:19; Ezekiel 16:44 45).

 

Childless Couples. We believe God has allowed some couples to be without biological children according to His sovereign plan in their lives. We believe couples without children are just as valuable to God as those with children. We believe in encouraging childless couples to consider adoption as a family alternative. We are committed to encouraging childless couples to pass on a godly legacy through involvement with children in their immediate families, churches, and communities (see Luke 1:6 7; Rom. 8:28 29).

 

Single Parents. We believe that, ideally, a child needs the influence of both a father and mother for healthy development in life and relationships. At the same time, we recognize that God's grace is sufficient and that He is a father to the fatherless and a husband to those without a husband. We believe God, by His grace, can use the void left from a missing parent to accomplish His eternal purposes of building Christ-like character in single parents and their children. We are committed to exhorting the Church to comfort and encourage single parent families by providing resources and developing biblical principles to assist those who struggle in the role of single parent (see Psalm 27:10; 68:5 6; 1 Corinthians 7:32; James 1:27; 1 Timothy 5:3 16; Romans 8:28 29; Luke 18:3 5).

 

Blended Families. We also believe that God gives abundant grace to the broken and blended families. Therefore, we believe He can and does enable them to carry out His functions and principles for healthy family life. We are committed to comforting, encouraging, and teaching these families God’s principles of marriage and family life (see James 1:27; 1 Timothy 5:16; Phil. 4:13).