The doors of the church remain wide open, the free offer of the Gospel proclaimed to all, but culture’s continued free-fall required us to clarify our Statement of Faith and amend our Bylaws. Hesitant to name specific sins given we are all sinners who have our own particular proclivities and sins to wrestle; we still felt it prudent to address our understanding of marriage given society’s recent redefinition. Adding to our motivation for action is our government’s penchant for forcible acceptance of whatever they deem evolving and enlightening—in this case, changing thousands of years of history’s definition and the Bible’s teaching on marriage.
So in our last Council meeting (elders and deacons), we took out pen and paper and unanimously voted in the following changes to our founding documents. To our Statement of Faith our revision now reads (bold words are the additions):
We believe that marriage is ordained by God and is between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:4-6), and that man has no authority to sever what God has joined together. God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16). Marriage, divorce, and remarriage must be regulated biblically, not culturally.
To our Bylaws, we have added the following statement:
Because of our biblical understanding of marriage, Evangelical Reformed Church does not allow any of its premises to be used for same-sex unions or celebrations. Likewise, the pastor(s) of Evangelical Reformed Church are not permitted to participate in any same-sex unions or celebrations.
It is sad we even have to address the matter. Nevertheless, it is a privilege to stand for what we firmly believe is biblical truth.
Pastor Rich Hamlin
December 3, 2015
Agreed. And to the leadership, thank you!
Thank you, Pastor Rich, Elders and Deacons, for taking this stand for Truth. I know it is hard to do so, especially when conversing with family members, friends and neighbors. The cost to do so can be great and also painful, but not to do so, contributes to others remaining in darkness. The cost will become greater as our Government weighs in more and more, which it will do. May we each be committed to our individual relationship with the Lord Jesus, so that we can, after we have done everything, to include expressing biblical truth about marriage in humility and with deep love for God and for people, continue to stand (Eph. 6). May this amendment to ERC’s statement of faith be used by our Heavenly Father to advance His kingdom here on earth, in the hearts and minds of His people – in preparation for what is yet to come.
With gratitude to God for each one of you,
Sigrun
I agree…thanks to the Pastor, Elders and Deacons. I am glad to see this.