STATEMENT ON MARRIAGE, GENDER, AND SEXUALITY

We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as fully male or fully 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.

We believe that the term “marriage” has only one meaning: the uniting of one male and one female in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture (Genesis 2:18-25).

We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a male and a female who are married to each other (1 Corinthians 6:18; 7:2-5; Hebrews 13:4).

We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a male and a female.

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

We believe that in order to preserve the function and integrity of Mission Church as the local Body of Christ, and to provide a biblical role model to our members and the community, it is imperative that all persons employed by Mission Church in any capacity or who serve as volunteers, agree to and abide by this Statement on Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality (Matthew 5:16; Philippians 2:14-16; 1 Thessalonians 5:22).

We believe 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; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11).

We believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity (Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31). Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed to any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with the Scriptures nor the doctrines of Mission Church.