Recently the Elders of this congregation presented a statement to the church regarding the basic position taken at Woodland Oaks on various matters of doctrine. That statement was written out and read word-for-word to the congregation. The Elders want to make that Statement available to anyone who might want to read it. The full text of that statement follows:

It is not about us and what we want.

It IS about God and what He wants.

We try to keep this in mind in everything we do.

We want to be as sure as we can that we ARE doing what God wants us to do – in all things.

I want to start by saying thank you for this time to share from our hearts some of our thoughts regarding matters that effect this Congregation of the Lord’s Church. We have prayerfully considered this discourse for some time. Your elders love each and every one of you and want you to know that we take our shepherding responsibilities very seriously.

We are all are hearing about a number of changes that are taking place in our country, in our culture, in our community, within denominational groups and changes within our own brotherhood. What we are saying today is not intended in any way as judgment toward other congregations who are making changes in the way they are doing some things with regard to worship and teaching. That is not the point or intent of this talk.

We want to share with you our thoughts and beliefs with regard to a few of these things that seem to be changing within our brotherhood. They are:

The name of the Church

Singing – Accapella vs. Instrumental Accompaniment

Communion – what it is and how and why we observe it the way we do.

Baptism as it relates to God’s plan for the salvation of mankind.

Men and Women’s role in the Church and at home.

The way we make decisions as an eldership.

Handling Personal Conflict within the Body and “Lobby Meetings.”

Marriage, Divorce, Remarriage

The name of the Church

Throughout time, it seems that mankind has always been restless and looking for ways to calm his restlessness. Usually this is done through some form of change. Change unto itself is not always bad. We have a change in seasons which is good, a woman will change her last name to honor her husband when she gets married, a person will change their way of life from one without Christ to one of having a Christ centered life and these are good kinds of changes with purpose and need. Today however, there is another form of change afoot in the Lord’s Church. That change is to take Christ’s name out of the name for the Church or to put it in such small print, that it can be easily overlooked.

Is there more than one Biblical way to refer to the Lord’s Church? I just did. The answer to this is YES! The Church is spoken of in several different terms in the New Testament.

Jesus refers to it as “MY Church”, Matthew 16:18. In Acts 8:1 it is called “The Church” or the “Called Out” from the Greek word Ecclesia. In I Corinthians 1:2 it is called the Church of God and in Romans 16:16 the Apostle Paul refers to various local Churches or congregations as “Churches of Christ” showing that they belong to Christ Jesus.

In Ephesians 4:12 it is referred to as the “Body of Christ”, in I Timothy 3:15 it is referred to as the “Church of the living God” and in Hebrews 12:23 it is referred to as the “Church of the First Born” again pointing to the anointed and crucified Savior as its head or owner.

As your elders, we are not ashamed of the name of Jesus and see no need to change the name that identifies our congregation as CHURCH OF CHRIST. We believe that the name is one that is acceptable to God. The name Church of Christ shows that the Church belongs to Jesus. Jesus gave his life on the cross so that we can have forgiveness of sins and eternal life with him. What better way to honor Jesus than to include His name in the name of HIS Church.

Therefore, we will continue to honor Jesus by not removing His name from His Church. If name change is being promoted because of problems (perceived or real) either by or because of the way we as a body have conducted ourselves then let’s change US to be more in the likeness of Him so that he can be glorified through us His Church. AMEN

Singing – A Capella vs. Instrumental Accompaniment

We believe there is sufficient evidence in scripture with regard to how we should or can enter into praise to God through song in our worship assembly. We believe that acapella singing allows us to worship together as a body firmly within what is pleasing and acceptable to God.

Christians are to do all in the name of Christ. That is, by His authority (Colossians 3:17). There is no command authorizing the use of instruments in Christian worship, and there is no example of their use in Christian worship found in the New Testament. We want to worship God acceptably and to respect the silence of God’s Word in this matter.

What is commanded?

Ephesians 5:18-20 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;

After being beaten and thrown into prison, Paul and Silas prayed and sang together.

Acts 16:25 But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them;

I believe from this story that God too heard the songs of Paul and Silas just as he heard their prayers and delivered them and claimed the Philippian jailer and his household for his very own through their worship.

We believe that singing songs of praise to God is the pattern we find in the New Testament, and is acceptable to Him. It is the pattern of worship to God that we will shepherd and teach in this place.

Communion – what it is and how and why we observe it the way we do.

With respect to communion, from Acts 20:7 and I Corinthians 16:1-2, we believe the pattern of New Testament Christianity in God’s Word instructs us to gather every first day of the week, which for us is Sunday. In conjunction with this gathering, we believe there is to be a time set aside for remembering together the risen Christ and the forgiveness of sins promised in God’s Word.

In Matthew 26:26-28 Christ has commanded us to “…..eat of His body and ….drink of His blood” through the symbols of unleavened bread and fruit of the vine. In this way, we commune with Jesus Christ and are reminded of His sacrifice for the forgiveness of our sins and we are to do so until we can do this with him. Remembrance and anticipation are two things in this gathering and participation that call us to the feet of our Savior in thanksgiving and praise both now and forever. We believe that partaking of the memorial emblems as instituted by Christ on the night he was betrayed is to be done every Sunday when we gather together and is to be done in remembrance of him.

Baptism as it relates to God’s plan for the salvation of mankind.

We believe that scripture plainly teaches that baptism (immersion) is an action taken by faith. We believe and teach that baptism is an act of submission to God’s will and in response to the Good News (Gospel) story of Christ the risen Savior. We also believe that it is the point at which we somehow come into contact with the blood of Christ which cleanses us from our sins (we are forgiven) and we believe and teach that those who are baptized into Christ Jesus must rise to walk a new life in Jesus Christ.

Peter was as specific with the command as we could reasonably hope with regard to this teaching. When asked by those who participated either actively or passively in the crucifixion of Christ “What must we do to be saved?’ Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38

We believe and teach that being baptized allows one to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

We will continue to teach that baptism is one of the important things man must do in response to the Gospel of Christ in order to be added to the Kingdom of Christ – the Church

By biblical example in the book of Acts, the accounts of conversion or of those being added to the Church by God all either imply that baptism occurred or plainly state that baptism was a part of their conversion process. We teach that by biblical example baptism is done for one who is convicted of their own sin’s, recognizes that they are not in a right relationship with God, repents of sin in their life, confesses the name of Jesus as the Son of God and submits to the watery grave of baptism. These things imply that this person must be of sufficient age and maturity to do these things. We do not teach “inherent sin” nor do we teach or practice “infant baptism.” You will hear us teach what God has said about one being added to the Church in our Bible Classes and from our pulpit. Being added to the Church, will always refer to someone or people who have been baptized for the remission of sins.

Anyone can come here to our worship assembly and participate in our corporate worship to God. We will however, only name as members of the Lord’s Church in this congregation, those who have been baptized into Christ. We will teach that baptism can not be set apart from God’s plan for saving mankind.

The Role of Men and Women in the Church and at Home

Concerning the role of men and women, we have these things to say. We believe that God set out a pattern in the relationship between man and woman from the very beginning when he created Adam and Eve. We believe that God made man and woman different but equal and that he has clearly communicated roles for each and a relationship that he patterned in his relationship with his people in the Old Testament and in the Church today. God has clearly placed the responsibility for spiritual leadership with men with regard to the home and family as well as within the Church. This principle resonates through out the Bible and is emphasized by the apostle Paul in I Corinthians 11 and 14 as well as in I Timothy Chapter 2. We believe that men and men only are charged with the responsibility to serve in specific leadership roles within the church and are not to relinquish or subrogate that responsibility to women. We believe that women have the God ordained right to be led by men in worship. We believe that God expects these men to be respectable men who humbly submit themselves to Him. We believe that men are responsible for spiritual leadership in the home and that those women among us who do not have that leadership in the home should live Godly lives before their unbelieving husbands in order to lead them to God. We believe the scriptures plainly teach us that men are to serve under the authority of Christ; and women are to serve under the authority of their husbands. In regard to our life together in the Church women should serve under the male leadership of the Church. This in no way teaches that men are superior to women but they have been given different roles. We encourage the men of Woodland Oaks Church of Christ to assume their role in the home and take responsibility for the secular and spiritual leadership of their families as well as for leadership responsibilities in God’s Church family, in order to fulfill God’s will for you as a husband, father and Church leader.

Within this context, we believe that the woman’s role, in the Church, should in no way compromise or usurp the authority of male spiritual leadership within the worship assembly; bible classes or in congregational activities.

To clarify, we want to preserve the “traditional” role of women as we have known it. It is appropriate, and we encourage the women of our church family to take an active part in mixed class and group discussions under the direction of male leadership but not from a posture of leading the discussion. Of course, this does not apply to groups that consist wholly of women. If you are not sure that a role you are in is appropriate or you are asked to do something that you think violates these principles of men and women’s roles, please talk to us and please be thoughtful and careful with regard to these issues.

The burden of spiritual leadership has clearly been thrust on men and men can not subrogate those roles to women either by default or by intent. We believe that this would be a clear violation of God’s will for his people.

There may be various opinions, and even disagreement about the meaning of principles concerning many issues found in the Bible. These can be very emotional and divisive. We hope that your understanding of how we will shepherd this flock helps you understand how and why we take this position with regard to men’s and women’s roles.

The way we make decisions as an eldership.

We have talked today about a number of areas where your elders have chosen a path. It seems appropriate that we share the way that we make these decisions. If something is commanded, there is no decision and we follow the command. If the direction is not clear we look to scripture and prayerfully seek God’s guidance and second we look at what we know of the actions taken by the early church. There are probably many acceptable solutions to some of the questions we ask. We search for the answer that is MOST likely to be pleasing to God. If there is a solution that we understand to be CLEARLY acceptable to God and a solution that “MIGHT” be acceptable, we strive to pick the solution or path MOST LIKELY to be pleasing. The method is not meant to stifle innovation but to guide us in a way that serves God and produces the most unity through not arguing over “WHERE IS THE EDGE?”

Handling Personal Conflict and “LOBBY DISCUSSIONS”

Over the last year, we have had some classes and sermons on personal conflict. Jesus’ prayer was that the church would have the same unity that Jesus has with God, his father (John 17:20-21). If you have an issue with someone, we would request that you go to that person and discuss the concern. If someone comes to you and wants to discuss a problem they are having with someone other than you, we ask that you ask the person coming to you if they have talked with the other person. If you come to one of the elders and start to discuss a problem you are having with a person or a perceived violation of God‘s word, our first question will be “Have you talked with the other person”. Talking with someone other than that member of the conflict, concern or issue breeds disunity and creates an additional problem such as gossip. May we all strive for unity in God and learn to accept differences that are not important.

(Mathew 18:15 or Luke 17:3) As Elders of this congregation, we are very interested in issues that are bothering you. Often we are stopped in the lobby or between classes to discuss your concerns. This is not really an appropriate time or place to properly discuss important matters. In addition, we like to have at least two elders in these important discussions. Therefore, we want to encourage you to contact any of the elders and let us know that you would like to talk and the urgency of your need. If it is comfortable for you and time permits, we would ask you to come to one of our regular meetings on the first or third Wednesday night of each month after Bible class. If you are not comfortable coming to the meeting or time does not permit, we will establish a time and place that is convenient for you to meet with at least two of the elders. Please know that we want to listen to what is important to you and join with you in prayer and serious discussion and hopefully resolution with regard to what ever your conflict, concern or problem.

Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage

Introduction

Your  elders  have  been  in  an  extended  period  of  prayer,  Bible  study,  and meditation  while  preparing  this  statement  concerning  marriage,  divorce,  and remarriage. We have counseled with preachers and other respected church leaders and read numerous well written articles and books. Most of us have been impacted in some way by this topic.  Our purpose is not to criticize or stand in judgment of anyone with respect to decisions that have been made in the past.  Our desire is to provide  scriptural  principles  for  this  congregation  which  will  serve  as  guidelines for  the  direction  and  counseling  of  God’s  family  at  Woodland  Oaks  Church  of Christ.

We  are  especially  concerned  because  of  the  prevalence  of  divorce  in  our society and its rising occurrence in the Church of Christ.  The laws of the land now provide a variety of grounds for a legal divorce.  In fact, a divorce may be granted for  no  reason  at  all  –  a  no-fault  divorce  in  which  no  marital  wrong  has  been committed.    It  is  estimated that one-half of  all  marriages in  our  time  will  end in divorce.    Although  the  statistics  may  be  lower  among  members  in  the  church  of Christ, the problem of an increasing divorce rate is still an alarming trend.  Clearly, divorce and remarriage has become more acceptable.  Ministries serving those who have been divorced are becoming more commonplace in today’s Christian culture, and  the  reasons  God  allows  for  remarriage  are  being  debated  in  many  Christian groups.

In  this  somewhat  confusing  scene,  we  are  especially  concerned  that  our children  clearly  understand  what  God  expects  of  them  as  they  mature  and  select marriage companions.   We want them to choose a Christian as a partner, because the choice of a spouse will have a major influence on their ability to serve God in a faithful  and  meaningful  way  for  the  rest  of  their  life.    The  dangers  facing  our children making such a choice are many if he or she has no clear guidance about what   God   requires   in   a   marriage   covenant.      Such   guidance   is   a   family responsibility,    but    the    church    also    bears    responsibility    for    instruction, encouragement, and counseling.

We  want  to  state  clearly  our  understanding  of  the  marriage  relationship, what  marriage  and  divorce  mean  to  God  and  Biblical  principles  permitting  remarriage following a divorce.  We also want this to be an indication of how we, as your shepherds, will counsel concerning marriage, divorce, and remarriage.

God’s Vision of Marriage

In the beginning, God created humankind as male and female with the intent that a single male and a single female would join together for life and procreate. Since God thus instituted marriage, we should look to God for guidance on how this  relationship  should  function.    Children  are  born  into  a  family  and  develop relationships  with  their  father  and  mother.    Marriage  changes  those  relationships and creates a new family (Mark 10:6-8; Matthew 19:4-6; Genesis 2:24).  “But at the beginning of creation God made them male and female.  For this reason a man will  leave  his  father  and  mother  and  be  united  to  his  wife,  and  the  two  shall become one flesh.  So they are no longer two, but one.  Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”

It is not necessary for a man or a woman ever to marry.  If the individual can live without sexual misconduct, Paul reasoned (I Corinthians 7:1,8 ) that remaining single is an option.  A single person is able to dedicate himself or herself totally to the service of God.  However, Paul recognized (I Corinthians 7:9) that few might be able to control their sexual urges; so most people should marry.

In   marriage,   the   man   is   called   the   husband   and   is   given   certain responsibilities:

1.  “For  the  husband  is  the  head  of  the  wife  as  Christ  is  the  head  of  the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.” (Ephesians 5:23)

2.  “Husbands,  love  your  wives,  just  as  Christ  loved  the  church  and  gave himself up for her to make her holy ….”  (Ephesians 5:25; see also Colossians 3:19)

3. “Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and  treat  them  with  respect  as  the  weaker  partner  and  as  heirs  with  you  of  the

gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers,” (I Peter 3:7)

4.  “Fathers, do not  exasperate  your  children; instead,  bring them  up  in  the training and instruction of the Lord.”  (Ephesians 6:4; see also Colossians 3:21)

In   marriage,   the   woman   is   called   a   wife   and   is   given   the   following responsibilities:

1. “Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.” (Ephesians 5:24; see also Colossians 3:18, I Peter 3:1-6)

2. “The LORD God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone.  I will make a helper suitable for him.’ “(Genesis 2:18)

3.  “Then  they  (older  women)  can  train  the  younger  women  to  love  their husbands  and  children,  to  be self-controlled  and pure,  to be busy  at  home,  to  be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.” (Titus 2:4, 5)

In marriage, the husband and wife have mutual responsibilities:

1. “These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  Impress them on your children.”  (Deuteronomy 6:6, 7)

2. “But since there is so much immorality, each  man should have his own wife  and  each  woman  her  own  husband.    The  husband  should  fulfill  his  marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband.  The wife’s body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband.  In the same way, the husband’s body does  not  belong  to  him  alone  but  also  to  his  wife.    Do  not  deprive  each  other except  by  mutual  consent  and  for  a  time,  so  that  you  may  devote  yourselves  to prayer.  Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.”  (I Corinthians 7:2-5)

It should be noted that it might be easier for a wife to submit if her husband  is loving, or for a husband to lead if his wife  is submissive.  However, none of these  responsibilities  is  preceded  by  an  “if”  statement  that  would  make  them conditional.  The husband is to fulfill his role regardless of the actions of his wife, and the wife is to fulfill her role regardless of the actions of her husband.

When  two  people  are  married,  their  relationship  to  all  other  people  is changed, but their relationship with God is not changed.  A person should never let any human relationship, even marriage, impact his or her love for and devotion to God.

Marriage and the Family

The plan God had for man at the very beginning involved the formation of families.  Man was created male and female (Genesis 1:27).  Adam and Eve and their  children  formed  the  first  family.    “Family”  is  a  demonstration  of  the relationship God the Father desires with all mankind as his children.  God shows his  love  and  care  for  mankind  as  a  loving  father  does  with  his  own  wife  and children.      A   properly   functioning   family   teaches   the   children  about  love, responsibility and obedience.  An unmarried couple should not live together as a family.

In  Matthew  19:3,  when  Jesus  was  asked  about  divorce,  he  responded  by citing Genesis 2:24 about the two becoming one flesh.  Jesus then added, “They are no  longer  two,  but  one.    Therefore  what  God  has  joined  together,  let  man  not separate.”      In   marriage,   the   husband-wife   union   is   something   God   has accomplished, and even though God’s work is unseen, man should not attempt to separate the two.  “Till death do us part …” is a clear understanding on man’s part that God intends that separation occurs only when one of the marriage partners dies (Romans 7:1-3).  Therefore, God’s intent is marriage for a lifetime.

Divorce

The  attitude  of  God  about  divorce  is  plainly  revealed  in  Malachi  2:13-16.  The Jews asked Malachi why God no longer accepted their offerings.  He replied, “It is because the LORD is acting as the witness between you and the wife of your youth, because you have broken faith with her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant.  Has not the LORD made them one?  In flesh and spirit they are his.  And why one?  Because he was seeking godly offspring.  So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith with the wife of your youth.  ‘I hate divorce,’ says the LORD God of Israel.”

Paul gives “the command of the Lord” in I Corinthians chapter 7 verses 10 and 11: “A wife must not separate from her husband.  But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce  his  wife.”

Adultery

In  Matthew  5:31,  32  and  19:9,  Jesus  allows  divorce  for  marital  unfaithfulness (adultery).

In the society in which Jesus lived, it had become acceptable for marriages to be dissolved  for  almost  any  reason.    Jesus  gives  a  fundamental  principle  which  is applicable to every age: “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her  a  certificate  of  divorce.’    But  I  tell  you  that  anyone  who  divorces  his  wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who         marries the divorced woman commits adultery.” Jesus’  “exception  phrase”  -  “…except  for  marital  unfaithfulness…”  allows  the innocent spouse to divorce his/her marriage partner for such a betrayal.  It does not demand or require that a divorce occur, but it allows it.  If  the offended spouse can forgive such betrayal, it is to be recommended.  Serious, sincere effort should be given to restore the betrayed trust.

If,  however,  the  betraying  spouse  is  unrepentant,  or  if  the  betrayed  spouse  is unable  to  overcome  the  lack  of  trust  due  to  the  adultery,  it  is  assumed  that  a divorce  on  the  basis  of  adultery  leaves  the  innocent  party  free  to  remarry.

AN UNBELIEVING SPOUSE CHOOSES TO ABANDON A MARRIAGE

Are  there  any  other  circumstances  in  which  God  allows  a  marriage  to  be dissolved, other than by death?

Paul discusses this topic in I Corinthians chapter 7.  Beginning in verse 12 he addresses  the  case  where  one  spouse  is  or  becomes  a  Christian  while  the  other remains  an  unbeliever.    Paul  urges  them  to  remain  together  and  instructs  the believer not to divorce the unbeliever.  “But if the unbeliever leaves (verse 15), let him  do  so.    A  believing  man  or  woman  is  not  bound  in  such  cases.”    The implication is that the Christian may remarry.  Verse 14 tells us that God considers such a situation to be special – when one partner is a Christian; the unbeliever is sanctified by God so that he can bless that family.  The Christian should hope to win over the unbeliever (verse 16).

What the Bible Says About Who Can Marry

God is very specific in his instruction to man as to who can marry.  Any man or woman who has never been married is free to marry under the definition of a man and a woman marrying one another and becoming one flesh. However, God recommends  that  Christians  marry  other  Christians  (II  Corinthians  6:14-16).  In  I Corinthians  7,  Paul  gives  instruction  to  widows  about  marrying  again.    If  they choose  to  remarry,  they  can  do  so  without  sinning.  The  major  stipulation  is  that they must remarry only in the Lord (verse 39).  This instruction would also apply to the widowers who wish to remarry.  Paul also offers advice to younger widows to remarry, bear children, keep house, and give the enemy no occasion for reproach ( I Timothy 5:14).

God  has  left  some  very  specific  instructions  as  to  who  can  and  cannot remarry  and  not  sin  in  the  process  of  the  new  marriage.    The  following  are  the options as given by God for the divorced individual:

1. While not specifically addressed, we feel that it is a reasonable and safe assumption:]  if  there  is  any  doubt  about  the  status  of  a  divorce,  the individual should remain single and not marry again.  The divorced couple does have the option to reconcile and renew their marriage contract.

2. If a non-believing spouse makes the decision to divorce his/her Christian spouse,   then   the   believing   spouse   is   free   to   remarry   without   any consequences.  (I  Cor.  7:12-15).    God  does  not  encourage  the  break-up  of such a marriage.

3.  Another  situation  in  which  an  individual  can  be  free  to  remarry  after  a divorce is when the sin of adultery has occurred.  As stated in Matthew 19:3-9, the offended spouse is free to remarry, and this new marriage union is not shrouded  in  sin.  If  adultery  does  occur  in  a  marriage,  the  offended  spouse can forgive the offending spouse and continue in the marriage.

Regarding “Adultery in the Heart”

“You  have  heard  that  it  was  said  to  people  long  ago  do  not  murder  and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.  But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. – Matthew 5:21-22

In a similar teaching, Jesus addresses lust which is another sin that occurs in the heart. ” You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery. But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it  out  and  cast  it  from  you;  for  it  is  more  profitable  for  you  that  one  of  your

members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perishes, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.” – Matthew 5:27-30

These  passages  deal  with  sin  in  our  hearts  and  our  relationship  with  God.  They do not apply to physical murder or the physical act of adultery. Just as the reason that we can not treat being angry with your brother in the same way we would if someone actually takes his or her brother’s life, we can not treat someone who lusts in their heart the same as we would someone who actually commits adultery .

This is not to trivialize the seriousness of the sin of lusting, but rather to say that Jesus did not give this as a reason for divorce. Instead of one seeking to use adultery in the heart as grounds for divorcing an offending spouse, let the effort be to help the spouse overcome the lust that led them to commit the adultery in the heart.

One  other  area  deserving  comment  is  when  a  spouse  chooses  to  separate from his/her spouse without invoking a divorce.  When this occurs, then neither is free  to  remarry.    They  are  encouraged  to  reconcile  and  continue  the  marriage  (I Corinthians 7:10-11).

Message to the Divorced

As  your  Shepherds,  we  have  a  view  of  our  responsibility  where  marriage, divorce, and remarriage are concerned:

1. God holds marriage to be sacred, and to be a lifetime relationship.

2. Divorce of any kind involves sin, just like any other sin.

3. God hates divorce, but has made allowance for it under certain

circumstances that have already been stated.

We realize there are some families of Christians today that, for one reason or another, have been married, divorced, and remain single; or married, divorced, and remarried.  We  believe  that  what  we  have  stated  concerning  God’s  view  of marriage, divorce, and remarriage is based on God’s word and, at the same time, may leave some with questions about a specific set of circumstances.

Your elders don’t have all the answers. Some of these questions have only a divine  answer,  that  humanly  speaking  we  can’t  answer.  After  many  months  of discussion,  study  of  scripture,  and  prayer  we  have  concluded  that  we  can’t satisfactorily answer every single situation. We cannot speak for the way God will judge  when  it  comes  to  every  divorce.  We  can  only  provide  scriptural  counsel where there is scripture that addresses the specific circumstances.  God has placed this  limitation  on  us. Individually,  we  must  all  take  responsibility  for  our relationship with God and the decisions we make.

Our counsel, in every situation, is to study the scriptures objectively with the realization that your decision  may affect the eternal destination of you and your entire family and those who may follow your example.  Our guiding principle in this, and all other matters, is to not loose what the Lord has bound and not bind what the Lord has loosed.

If  your  study  of  scripture  leads  you  to  understand  that  you  have  sinned, repent of that sin.  Confess your sins to God, make the change in your life that God requires, and continuously seek God in prayer.

“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed — not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence — continue to work out your salvation with  fear  and  trembling,  for  It  Is  God  who  works  in  you  to  will  and  to  act according to his good purpose.” (Philippians 2: 12, 13).

We love you. And we want for you the peace that comes from a firm understanding of who you are and who’s you are spiritually. You belong to Christ Jesus, crucified, risen Son of the true and living God of Creation. God wants for you to be at peace in your life with regard to your relationship to Him and to His Church. We believe that the things WE are teaching as a congregation and how WE handle ourselves with regard to relationships and roles and how WE conduct our worship to God is acceptable to God and we believe it with all our hearts.

May we forever be teachable but may we also be steadfast in our faith and in our sincere, intellectually honest approach to serving the true and living God with all our hearts, and all of our minds and all of our strength.

That is it. It is finished. We hope that these words are a comfort and encouragement to you.