Church of the Brethren Newsline
November 21, 2017
A resolution on same-sex marriage was approved by West Marva District at its district conference held Sept. 16 at Moorefield (W.Va.) Church of the Brethren. The resolution was adopted by a simple majority, with two dissenting votes.
The text of the resolution follows:
West Marva District Church of the Brethren Resolution on Same-Sex Marriage
Whereas: The Church of the Brethren’s official position on covenantal relationships between homosexual persons is that they are “an additional lifestyle option but, in the church’s search for a Christian understanding of human sexuality, this alternative is not acceptable” (1983 Annual Conference Statement, Human Sexuality from a Christian Perspective); and
Whereas: West Marva District “Core Beliefs Disciplines and Practices” document states on page 10, “Marriage is a life-long commitment of love between a man and a woman…” (adopted by District Conference September 16, 2006); and
Whereas: The Church of the Brethren recently finished a study on the 1983 Annual Conference Statement, Human Sexuality from a Christian Perspective and again affirmed in 2011 the Church’s position on the homosexual lifestyle; and
Whereas: “The Church of the Brethren upholds the biblical declaration that heterosexuality is the intention of God for Creation,” (1983 Annual Conference Statement on Human Sexuality from a Christian Perspective); and
Whereas: The Church of the Brethren has reaffirmed a commitment to “extend Christ-like comfort and grace to homosexual and bisexual persons” (1983 Annual Confer-ence Statement, Human Sexuality from a Christian Perspective).
Therefore be it resolved that the West Marva District Church of the Brethren,
Reaffirms the denominational position that “covenantal relationships between homosexual persons is [sic] an additional lifestyle option but, in the church’s search for a Christian understanding of human sexuality, this alternative is not acceptable” (1983 Annual Conference Statement, Human Sexuality from a Christian Perspective); and
Affirms that ordained or licensed ministers are not permitted to perform or officiate at any same sex marriage;
Affirms that regardless of state and federal laws, marriage is a God-ordained covenant that can only be entered into by one man and one woman;
Affirms that the use of West Marva District buildings, camps, properties, or churches for the use of same sex ceremonies is prohibited;
Reaffirms a commitment to extend Christ-like comfort and grace to Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgendered (LGBT) persons in the spirit of the 1983 Annual Conference Statement, Human Sexuality from a Christian Perspective;
Affirms that the West Marva District will recognize for leadership positions only those persons that uphold the teachings of the Bible and the West Marva core Beliefs.
Recognizes that conversations about LGBT concerns will continue outside the query process, and in the spirit of the 1983 Annual Conference Statement, Human Sexuality from a Christian Perspective, such conversations will not be deemed to violate any District policies.
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