The Family
The
Institution of the Family -
We believe that God has created the
family as the foundational institution of human society. Families are
autonomous but an integral part of the local church providing stability to the
church.
Equality
of Personhood, Difference of Roles -
We believe that God has created both
male and female in His image (Genesis 1:27) and that men and women are equal in
position and standing before God (Gal. 3:28). However we believe that God has
given men and women distinctly different spiritual roles and responsibilities
in the home and in the church.
Husbands are called by God to lead,
feed and protect their families and to be the leaders of their local church.
(Col. 3:19; 1 Tim. 2:12; 3:4-5, 12) The husband is required to love his wife as
Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her (Ephesians 5.25-33). Wives
are to submit to the biblical leadership of their husbands as they would submit
to the Lord (Ephesians 5.22-24). Children are a blessing and a gift from the
Lord. Children are required to obey their parents in the Lord. Parents are
instructed in the Bible to teach their children biblical principles and moral
values and lead them, through consistent lifestyle examples and appropriate
discipline. (Gen 1:26-28; Ex. 20:12; Deut. 6:4-9; Ps. 127:3-5; Prov. 19:18; 22:15;
23;13-14; Mk. 10:6-12; 1 Cor.7:1-16; Eph. 5:21-33; 6:1-4; Col 3:18-21; Heb.
13:4; 1 Pet 3:1-7)
God’s
Grace and Reconciliation for All Families -
Although we believe that God hates
divorce and has established marriage as a lifelong covenant between a man and a
woman (Mal. 2:14-17; Matt. 19:3-12), we also recognize that we are all sinful
and broken people, and that we all contribute to the difficulties experienced
in family life. Yet God’s grace provides healing and reconciliation
for all who will receive it into their heart and their home. Broken marriages, single parent homes,
blended families, and “traditional families” can all bring glory to God by His
grace.