Statement on Gender and Marriage

Given the increasing confusion in recent years regarding gender and marriage in the country where we reside, and as many churches have conformed to secular societal trends, deviating from biblical teachings and causing severe confusion in the faith lives of believers, North Church, in order to uphold biblical truth and guide believers in holy living, hereby issues a statement on gender and marriage.

1) God, in His own glory and eternal purpose, created humanity in His image, male and female. Just as God gives each person a unique soul, He also endows each person, male or female, with a unique sex. This male or female sex is determined by immutable biological characteristics recognizable at birth. Any ideology or practice that engages in "gender confusion," "gender neutrality," or "gender transition" despises the meaning of the two sexes and confuses the order established by God, which we resolutely oppose. (Genesis 1:26-27, Genesis 2:7, Exodus 1:15-17, 1 Corinthians 11:8-12)

II) From the beginning of creation, God established the holy union of one man and one woman as one flesh, and the family relationship based upon it. In such a marital union, husband and wife become one, raise offspring, are open to one another, respect one another, are faithful to one another, serve one another, and find joy in it. Any sexual intimacy outside of a marital relationship is immoral. Advocating for and practicing any other form of so-called marriage goes against the marriage designed by God and will surely incur God's wrath, leading to disaster for the social structure and human civilization. (Genesis 2:20-25, Genesis 1:28, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10)

The Bible teaches that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Regardless of the sins committed, without seeking Christ's forgiveness and forsaking sin, one cannot escape God's righteous judgment. Hating and harming individuals who have committed any sin, while also praising or even celebrating any sinful behavior prohibited by the Bible, neither aligns with biblical teachings nor is acceptable to us. We firmly oppose both. (Romans 3:23, John 8:11, 1 John 1:9)

4. The church's teachings, ceremonies, practices, and facilities concerning gender and marriage shall be in accordance with the above principles. We earnestly hope and pray that governments, legislatures, and schools at all levels in the United States will uphold these principles, so that God may bless and grant peace and prosperity to the entire land of America. (Joshua 23:14-16)