FPC Statement on Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality

On Human Identity

We believe that God is love, and in Himself He lives a mystery of personal loving communion. We believe that by creating the human race in His own image, God inscribed the calling of love and communion in the humanity of man and woman.

We believe that God creates each person as male or female (Gen. 1:26-27). Each of the two sexes is an image of the power and tenderness of God, with equal dignity, though in a different way from the other.

We believe that the rejection of one’s biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person. We believe that human flourishing, both individually and socially, depends in part on how the complementarity, needs, and mutual support between the sexes are lived out.
 

On Sexuality

We believe that all men and women are called to chastity, where their sexual desire and its expressions are aligned with God’s intended purpose.

We believe that any form of sexual immorality (including adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, and the use of pornography) is sinful and offensive to God, and destructive to the individual and to social human flourishing. (Matt 15:18-20; 1 Cor 6:9-10.)

We believe the deep-seated inclination toward sexual immorality, such as homosexuality, is objectively disordered, and a trial for humans in their fallen condition.

We believe that people with such deep-seated inclinations must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God's will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition.
 

On Marriage

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 Scripture. (Gen 2:18-25.) We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other. (1 Cor 6:18; 7:2-5; Heb 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.
 

On Service

We believe that in order to preserve the function and integrity of Friendship Presbyterian Church (FPC) as the local body of Christ, and to provide a biblical role model to the FPC members and the community, it is imperative that all persons employed by FPC in any capacity, or who serve in formal and informal leadership roles, agree to and abide by this Statement on Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality. (Matt 5:16; Phil 2:14-16; 1 Thess 5:22.)

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; Rom 10:9-10; 1 Cor 6:9-11.)
 

For a more comprehensive look at our stance on marriage and sexuality please refer to the Nashville Statement.