Due to the Supreme Court ruling, the elders were compelled earlier this summer to make a clear statement of belief on sexual identity and the marriage covenant. These truths have always been an implicit part of our beliefs, pre-existing in principle in our first statement of belief: Scripture - "We believe the Bible to be the verbally inspired Word of God, without error in the original writings, as well as, the supreme and final authority in doctrine and practice." (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:21; John 17:17) Given the growing confusion in our culture, it is our leadership’s unanimous conviction to unequivocally communicate the Bible’s, therefore our convictions on these topics. It is our prayer that you will be equipped in these areas.
SEXUAL IDENTITY
We believe that God created mankind in His image: male (man) and female (woman), sexually and biologically different, but with equal personal dignity. It is inconsistent with God’s design for a follower of Christ to in any way practically live or physically seek to change, alter, or disagree with their obvious biological sex which has been assigned by God. (Genesis 1:26-28, Romans 1:26-32, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11)
THE MARRIAGE COVENANT
We believe that marriage is a union ordained by God and intended as a lifelong commitment between one man and one woman. (Genesis 1:27-28, Genesis 2:18, Matthew 19:4-9, Mark 10:5-9, Ephesians 5:31-33). In keeping with the Bible’s clear teaching on marriage as being between one man and one woman — elders, staff or any member ordained by the church will not conduct same-sex wedding ceremonies. Moreover, Watermark Community Church facilities will be used for marriage ceremonies consistent with our beliefs.
Please also refer to the Watermark elders’ position paper on marriage, divorce and remarriage for more understanding on leadership’s conviction on this topic, and this list of resources to help equip you to have conversations about this subject.