Statement on Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality

We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God (Gen. 1:26-27). Therefore, rejection of one’s biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person.

We believe that marriage has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture (Gen. 2:18-25). We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other (1 Cor. 6:18; 7:2-5; Heb. 13:4; 1 Thess. 4:2-5). We believe that God has commanded that we engage in no intimate sexual activity outside of a marriage between a man and a woman.

We believe that any form of sexual immorality (including adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, and use of pornography) is sinful and offensive to God (Matt. 15:18-20; 1 Cor. 6:9-10).

Marriage cannot be rightly understood apart from another gift: the gift of children. When he created man and woman, God says, “Be fruitful and multiply” (Gen. 1:28). Therefore, the optimal setting for the care of children is the loving marital unity of a man and woman. In such marriage, children are nurtured within the distinctive uniqueness and created differences of male and female serving together in the family.

This biblical understanding of the marriage union of man and woman is both purposeful and beautiful. Its purposes include the procreation and nurture of children, the mutual joy and the support and encouragement be given to one another by husband and wife, and the restraint of selfishness and sin as each seeks to serve the other’s needs. Such purposes reveal a beauty so great that Eph. 5:21-33 connects marriage to the holy union of Christ and His bride, the church.

We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ (Acts 3:19-21; Rom. 10:9-10; 1 Cor. 6:9-11). We believe that we must give every person compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity (Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31). Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are repudiated and are not in accord with Scripture nor the doctrines of St. John Ev. Lutheran Church and School.

Because this Statement agrees with Holy Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, to preserve the function and integrity as the local Body of Christ and provide a biblical role model to St. John members and the community, all persons employed by St. John Ev. Lutheran Church and School, in any capacity, those who serve as volunteers, all members of the congregation, and all parents and students at our school agree to and abide by this Statement on Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality (Matt. 5:16; Phil. 2:14-16; 1 Thess. 5:22).

Presented to Council June 2021. Approved by Council and Voters September 2021.