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HOMOSEXUALITY AND THE CHURCH In Scripture, the plan of our Creator God for the fulfillment of sexual union is to be between one man and one woman in the heterosexual, mongamous and lifelong institution of marriage.1 Jesus endorsed this plan.2 We find no scriptural endorsement of the practice of homosexuality as a christian lifestyle. There is pressure by some to gain acceptance within our denomination of both the practice of homosexuality as a Christian lifestyle and the ordination to the Christian ministry of avowed practicing homosexuals. As American Baptists, we feel compelled to state our position concerning this issue. We recognize that practicing homosexuals are persons to whom the redeeming love of Christ is available as it is to all who turn to him in faith and repentance.3 We affirm that it is the solemn responsibility and privilege of the church to minister to every person, making known to each the grace and goodness of God.4 Therefore, we call upon our denominational leaders, our churches, and each American Baptist to:
* Affirm the teachings of the Bible as the only sure
* Teach, by precept and example, the true nature and
* Reject attempts by those who seek to rationalize and
* Minister in love and concern to those caught up in Policy Base: Policy Statement on Family Life: "We affirm that God intends marriage to be a monogamous, life-long, one flesh union of a woman and a man, who in response to God's call leave father and mother and cleave to one another." Footnotes:
The following are some of the Bibical passages which offer the basis for each of
these statements: ------------------------- Vanderhoof Baptist Church voted at its 1/6/1993 business meeting to accept this policy. The Church voted to reaffirm this policy at its 1/10/2001 business meeting.
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