Along with the “Statement of Faith,” there are family foundational beliefs we hold close to our hearts as a church that have been under attack in recent years and need to be expressed and or a position defined. These are the Sanctity fo Human Life, Family and our position on same sex marriage and civil unions. The statements below were provided and defined by “Focus on the Family”, with who we are in complete agreement with as Hope City Community Church, Inc. We are not against those who have failed in these areas but stand firm agains the sin of abortion, homosexuality and the breakdown of the family. We welcome those that would want to restore their lives through the blood and forgiveness of Jesus Christ.
Human Life
We believe that human life is created by God in His image. It is of inestimable worth and significance in all its dimensions, including the pre-born, the aged, those deemed unattractive, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other condition in which humanness is expressed from the single cell stage of development to natural death. We, as Christians and members of Hope City Community Church, Inc., are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life.
Family Core Beliefs
We believe that all people are of infinite value, regardless of age, development, appearance or ability. We believe that marriage is the foundation of family life, and that God’s design for marriage is a relationship where both husband and wife are committed to loving and caring for one another for a lifetime. We believe children are a gift from God, and thrive best in a home where both mother and father are committed to raising them with love, intention, and care.
We believe sex is given by God as an expression of love to be shared and enjoyed exclusively between a husband and wife. We believe that Christians have a responsibility to promote truth and social policy that improves the strength and health of the family, as God designed. And we believe that parents should aspire to model for their children how to humbly follow the teachings and spirit of Jesus at home and in the community.
Same-Sex Marriage & Civil Unions
Marriage is a sacred, legal and social union ordained by God to be a life-long, sexually exclusive relationship between one man and one woman. Hope City Community Church holds this institution in the highest esteem and strongly opposes any legal sanction of marriage counterfeits, such as the legalization of same-sex couples, cohabiting couples, or any other non-marital relationship.
Marriage is the first institution ordained by God and has served from the beginning as the foundation for continuation of the human race. Genesis tells us that shortly after the creation of the first man, God acknowledged Adam’s incompleteness. God then created Eve as Adam’s partner, his completer, and blessed their union (Genesis 2:24). Jesus underscored the importance and sacredness of marriage in His own teachings (Matthew 19:6). For this reason, Hope City Community Church and its pastoral staff will not perform same-sex marriages or recognize same-sex couples, cohabiting couples, or any other non-marital relationship.