Marriage, Relationships and Scripture

Marriage is an agreement and commitment between a single biological man and a single biological woman to live together in an intimate, permanent relationship.

Two genders male and female are the only genders recognised in Scripture.

There are absolutely no grounds for considering homosexual unions to be in any way similar or even remotely equivalent to God's plan for marriage and family.

For these reasons the Church does not have, and cannot have, the power to bless unions of persons of the same sex.

That such relationships may involve positive elements, which are in themselves to be valued and appreciated, cannot justify these relationships, since the positive elements exist within a union that violates the Creator's plan.

We welcome with respect all people without exception or distinction.

We recognise God's grace in salvation extends to all who believe in the Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour and all who so believe belong with the redeemed people of God.

We welcome people with homosexual inclinations and we desire to share with them the Gospel in its fullness in the most appropriate ways.

Christians with homosexual inclinations should recognise the Church welcomes them, prays for them and desires to share God's Word with them. For their part, they, like all believers, should receive its teachings with sincere openness.

Christians who experience same-sex attraction are called in Scripture to resist their inclinations and together with all believers to strive to follow God's will given in Scripture for a life of holiness.

Where we fail we are assured that if we confess our sins in a spirit of repentance the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin.