Foster Presbyterian Church and Marriage
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Foster Presbyterian Church is a church committed to “know Christ and to make Him known” so that we can experience the incredible love of God the Father and share His love in word and deed with the hurting world in which we live. This is our ongoing focus. In doing so we are led by the Holy Spirit and the authority of God’s Word, the Bible.
We have a strong emphasis on the unity of the larger Body of Christ and are involved in mutual ministry and mission with Christians and churches of a variety of denominations. At the beginning of 2017, per our request, we were transferred from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) denomination to ECO, A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians. This was a gracious transition and we pray blessing over the PCUSA. However, ECO is clearly a better theological fit for our congregation. While appreciating the ‘presbyterian’ form of church government which we still maintain, the final theological issue which led to our commitment to transfer to ECO were the PCUSA’s decisions in respect to “same-sex marriages”. First, they voted to allow PCUSA pastors and churches to do “same-sex marriages” if they desire. In addition, the denomination’s constitution was changed from stating that marriage is between a man and a woman to stating that marriage is between “two persons.” This was a bridge we could not cross because |
that statement contradicts the clear biblical teaching that God designed marriage to be a covenant between one man and one woman.
While we hold this position on marriage without wavering, we do not want this one issue to be the defining point of who we are. We are addressing it only because it has been such a point of confusion in our culture and because of the actions that led to our joining ECO. What defines us is very positive – Jesus Christ, through the power of His crucifixion and resurrection, brings all who trust Him forgiveness, hope, purpose, and transformation. Sin is complex and manifested in many ways. None of us at Foster Presbyterian has any boast in ourselves for we have all fallen short of God’s glory. But we celebrate a gospel that brings not only forgiveness from sin but also freedom from sin’s consequences: bondage, shame, and guilt. We are growing in this grace and truth that we have in Jesus Christ and invite others to journey with us as we live for Christ and serve Him in this world. |