Family

 We believe that God has ordained the family as a foundational institution of human society. It is composed of persons related to one another by marriage, blood, or adoption (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:15-25; 3:1-20; 5:1-3; 9:1; Psalms 78:1-8; Psalms 127; James 1:27).

 We believe that marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in one flesh covenant commitment for a lifetime (Genesis 2:21-25, Matthew 19:4-6). It is God's unique gift to reveal the union between Christ and His church (Ephesians 5:22-33) and to provide for the man and the woman in marriage: the framework for intimate companionship (Genesis 2:21-25, Matthew 19:4-6), the channel of sexual expression according to biblical standards (Hebrews 13:4; Proverbs 5:18-19), and the means for procreating the human race (Malachi 2:15; Genesis 1:28).

 We believe that the husband and wife are of equal worth before God (Galatians 3:28), The marriage relationship models the way God relates to His people. since both are created in God's image (Ephesians 5:25). A husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the church (Ephesians 5:22-33; Colossians 3:18-19). He has the God-given responsibility to provide for, to protect, and to lead his family in a God glorifying direction (Ephesians 5:22-33; Colossians 3:18-19). A wife is to submit herself graciously to the servant leadership of her husband even as the church willingly submits to the headship of Christ (Ephesians 5:22-24). She has the God-given responsibility to respect her husband and to serve as his helper in managing the household, nurturing the next generation, and serving Jesus (Ephesians 5:33; Genesis 2:18; Titus 2:4-5).

 We believe that children, from the moment of conception, are a blessing and heritage from the Lord (Psalms 127; Jeremiah 1:5; Luke 1:15). Children are to be brought up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4). Children are to obey and honor their parents (Ephesians 6:1-4). Parents are to demonstrate to their children God's pattern for marriage. Parents are to teach their children the Word of God, especially the gospel, and pray consistently for their salvation (2 Timothy 1:5, 3:15). They are responsible to shape children’s spiritual and moral values and to lead them in a God glorifying direction, through consistent lifestyle example, loving discipline, and making choices based on biblical truth (Ephesians 6:1-4; Psalms 127, 78:1-8; Hebrews 12:5-11).