Pat Vaughn

AFA general counsel

September 2015 – The July-August issue of AFA Journal (afajournal.org) asks, “Will a gay marriage storm crush your church?” Written by AFA general counsel Pat Vaughn, the article deals with the expected legal fallout from the June 26 decision of the U.S. Supreme Court to legalize same sex marriage in all 50 states.

Since the article was published, numerous readers have asked AFA to provide guidance for developing statements of belief, policies, and practices that would protect churches as much as possible. The two following sample documents, also written by Vaughn, are offered toward that end. 

The first provides a biblical view of sexuality, marriage, and sexual sin. The second addresses the use of church facilities. Churches are welcome to use these documents as their own or use them as guidelines for drafting their own. Electronic versions will be available online at afa.net/whatnow.

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STATEMENT ON HUMAN SEXUALITY, MARRIAGE, AND DIVORCE
SEX  The sexual relationship between husband and wife is a blessing created by God, and within marriage it is holy and undefiled (Hebrews 13:4). Children are the normal fruit of the sexual relationship, and are a blessing given by God (Genesis 1:28; Psalm 127:3).

Lust  Sexual lust and sexual gratification outside marriage are sins. The use of pornography is sinful. Such lusts are to be mortified, whether heterosexual or homosexual (Matthew 5:27,28; Romans 1: 24,25).

Homosexuality Homosexuality is a perversion of the gift of sexuality that God has given men and women. To be human is to be created in God’s image. Being male or female is described as being an aspect of how finite creatures bear the image of our infinite God (Genesis 1:27). Consequently, we believe a person’s DNA identifies his or her gender. Burning with lust for members of the same sex is described by God as “vile, against nature, shameful, being given over to a debased mind to do those things which are not fitting” (Romans 1:26-28). Adulterers, homosexuals and other sinners can be set free from their bondage to sin. “And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians: 6:9-11).

Marriage Marriage is the union of one man and one woman for life within a covenant of fidelity. Marriage is a portrait of Christ’s love and sacrifice for His church and the church giving herself to Him. A man is called to love his wife. A wife is called to respect her husband (Ephesians 5:31-33).

The notion of “same sex marriage” is inimical to God’s institution of marriage as presented in Scripture (Romans 1:18-32).

Wedding A Christian wedding is a man and a woman’s exchange of marriage vows before God in a worship service. Consequently, this congregation will not conduct a wedding for unbelievers. Nevertheless, this congregation will gladly share its facilities with Christian couples who are in good standing with other Christian congregations who share our understanding of marriage.

Scripture cautions against Christians being unequally yoked together with unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14). One context within which this admonition applies is marriage. Consequently, this congregation will not conduct a wedding where one party is a Christian and the other is not. This congregation will present the gospel of salvation to every couple who seeks to be married. The congregation’s ordained officers shall have authority to determine what parties meet the qualifications for a Christian wedding. Note: Scripture does not encourage a believing spouse to leave an unbeliever (1 Corinthians 7:10-16).

Divorce God hates divorce. A Christian should seek to forgive and be reconciled to his or her spouse as much as that is possible. Scripture allows that when a spouse has been sexually unfaithful or has deserted the marriage, a Christian may seek a divorce. In such a case, the innocent spouse is free to marry again (Matthew 5:31,32; 1 Corinthians 7:15).

A Christian who has divorced outside biblical grounds should not marry anyone else, but may seek reconciliation with his or her spouse if they have not remarried.

A person who has divorced without biblical grounds and has married another can, upon full repentance, be accepted into Christian fellowship, but is disqualified from holding ordained office in the church, including that of pastor, bishop, elder or deacon (1 Timothy 3:2,12).

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POLICY ON USE OF CHURCH FACILITIES
God provides resources to our congregation to be used in the mission of Christ’s church. We apply some of those resources for facilities to house our worship, growth in grace, mercy, and outreach activities. Therefore, all uses of our church facilities must flow from our mission and must be conducted in a manner consistent with the teachings of Scripture and with the moral standards of this church.

Worship is the primary use of our facilities. The elders and pastors of the congregation exercise oversight of all aspects of worship. Although our facilities are designed to house the worship of this congregation, it is an appropriate recognition that Christ’s church also includes other congregations, and we may from time to time make our facilities available to other Christians for their worship. Nevertheless, all uses of our facilities must be consistent with our understanding of biblical teaching and the moral standards of this congregation. The congregation may charge rent or fees for the use of its facilities by other Christians for worship purposes. This would include the celebration of weddings.

Growth in grace or Christian education, training, and fellowship fill the largest part of our facilities. Like worship, these activities fall under the oversight of the elders, who must lead the congregation to fulfill its mission while adhering to biblical standards. From time to time, we may cooperate by making our facilities available to other Christians in the realm of Christian growth in grace. Examples of this might include, but are not limited to, Christian schools, homeschool groups, youth groups, music or art lessons, concerts, or sports programs. Any of these activities will be allowed only if led by Christians whose life and faith would qualify them to be members of this church in good standing and if the activity itself is conducted in a manner consistent with our understanding of Scripture and moral standards. Depending on the nature of these activities, rent or a fee may be charged.

Mercy ministry uses of our facilities are overseen by the deacons and must be conducted in a manner consistent with the congregation’s doctrine and moral standards. Examples might include providing emergency shelter or a homeless shelter, operating a food bank or clothes closet for the needy, or providing a plot for a community garden.

Outreach to our community is an aspect of each of the above activities. We will also use our facilities for other less obviously “religious” activities as an outreach to our community, with the goal of inviting them into the fellowship with Christ and His church. Examples of such activity may include serving as a polling place, providing a meeting place for the neighborhood association, hosting a political candidate forum, housing a neighborhood benefit or yard sale, or providing a room for a birthday party or family reunion. 

Any such activity must be conducted in a manner consistent with the congregation’s understanding of Scripture and moral standards. These activities help build relationships, which will allow us to serve the spiritual needs of our neighbors. Depending on the nature of these activities, rent or a fee may be charged.

In each instance of a request for facilities use, the pastor is authorized to deny such a request if in his opinion it is inconsistent with our beliefs or moral standards. The deacons may adopt procedures to implement these policies. 

Additional resources:
What Now? is a new DVD produced by  American Family Association. It  features legal opinions from AFA, Liberty Institute, Alliance Defending Freedom, Liberty Counsel, and others. Order at afastore.net

Protecting your ministry from sexual orientation gender identity lawsuits is a down-loadable legal guide for churches, Christian schools, and Christian ministries. alliancedefendingfreedom.org.