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We Believe that:
God, the giver of every good gift, has created people male and female, and we affirm the wondrous gift of human sexuality; and
The Scriptures teach that God's gift of marriage between a man and woman reflects the mystery of Christ and the Church (Ephesians 5:31 -32); and
Our confessions affirm that the gift of sexual intimacy between husband and wife is given for the purpose of spiritual and physical unity and enjoyment, and for procreation:
"Marriage is designed for the mutual help of husband and wife; for the safeguarding, undergirding, and development of their moral and spiritual character; for the propagation of children and the rearing of them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." ( Westminster 6.134); and
We recognize the destructive consequences of the abuse of sexual intimacy including, but not limited to, incest, rape, pornography, homosexual behavior, adultery and premarital sexual intercourse; and
The Gospel proclaims liberation from all sin, including sexual sin; and
Our confessions teach the obligation of the Church to minister to those in sexual confusion and to seek their physical and spiritual restoration:
"...The church comes under the judgment of God and invites rejection by man when it fails to lead men and women into the full meaning of life together, or withholds the compassion of the Christ from those caught in the moral confusion of our time." (Confession of 1967, 9.47); and
Extending compassion involves active ministry to those seeking God's help to overcome their sexual struggles, temptations and sin.
Therefore, the session of First Presbyterian Church in Hendersonville, recognizing the sexual sin and woundedness that exists within our community and affirming the redemptive power of Jesus Christ, determines to become a listening, healing community, to proclaim the transforming power of God in Jesus Christ, and
To address the needs of persons experiencing sexual conflict by referring them to community and church-based ministries that seek the transformation of lives abused, tempted and held captive by sexual sin; and
To implement and support the development of such ministries within our local presbytery.
- Adopted by the Session of First Presbyterian Church in Hendersonville, NC on July 20, 2009
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