Church of the Brethren Newsline
\nNovember\u00a021,\u00a02017<\/b><\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The text of the resolution follows:<\/em><\/p>\n West Marva District Church of the Brethren Resolution on Same-Sex Marriage<\/strong><\/p>\n Whereas: The Church of the Brethren\u2019s official position on covenantal relationships between homosexual persons is that they are \u201can additional lifestyle option but, in the church\u2019s search for a Christian understanding of human sexuality, this alternative is not acceptable\u201d (1983 Annual Conference Statement, Human Sexuality from a Christian Perspective); and<\/p>\n Whereas: West Marva District \u201cCore Beliefs Disciplines and Practices\u201d document states on page 10, \u201cMarriage is a life-long commitment of love between a man and a woman\u2026\u201d (adopted by District Conference September 16, 2006); and<\/p>\n 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\u2019s position on the homosexual lifestyle; and<\/p>\n Whereas: \u201cThe Church of the Brethren upholds the biblical declaration that heterosexuality is the intention of God for Creation,\u201d (1983 Annual Conference Statement on Human Sexuality from a Christian Perspective); and<\/p>\n Whereas: The Church of the Brethren has reaffirmed a commitment to \u201cextend Christ-like comfort and grace to homosexual and bisexual persons\u201d (1983 Annual Confer-ence Statement, Human Sexuality from a Christian Perspective).<\/p>\n Therefore be it resolved that the West Marva District Church of the Brethren,<\/p>\n Reaffirms the denominational position that \u201ccovenantal relationships between homosexual persons is [sic] an additional lifestyle option but, in the church\u2019s search for a Christian understanding of human sexuality, this alternative is not acceptable\u201d (1983 Annual Conference Statement, Human Sexuality from a Christian Perspective); and<\/p>\n Affirms that ordained or licensed ministers are not permitted to perform or officiate at any same sex marriage;<\/p>\n 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;<\/p>\n Affirms that the use of West Marva District buildings, camps, properties, or churches for the use of same sex ceremonies is prohibited;<\/p>\n 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;<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n