Dear BMA Churches,
As the amendment to our doctrinal statement is presented again via our BMA papers, we urge every church to adopt these changes by a motion, second, and recorded vote in the church’s minutes. This is to be done and recorded by the church to validate the churches’ and pastors’ stand on Holy marriage.
Legal advice shares that our marriage stand should be simply stated and Biblically backed. This same advice declares a need for a positive position and not to camp on the negative. We Christians know our positions on divorce, homosexuality, and the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender).
We all know of the boy Scouts of America resolution to remove the gay restriction in denying membership and the litigation against its Christian Boy Scout leaders who refuse to accept the homosexuals.
We also read of the 70-year-old Barronelle Stutzman who was sued for refusing to provide flowers for a same-sex wedding. There have been numerous lawsuits, according to One News Now, being filed for declining to compromise their conscience by not filling orders for gay/lesbian wedding cakes.
Can churches be forced to perform gay marriages? Eric Johnston, President of the Southeast Law Institute, said that churches may be in for legal challenges over gay marriages. Johnston advises churches that haven’t done so to clarify their stance and to make it Biblical.
So, as the Moral Action’s Director, I urge all BMA churches to adopt in writing these proposed Amendments of Creation and Marriage presented by our BMA Seminary faculty. God will see us through!
Please read the following carefully:
EXAMPLE OF MARRIAGE/CHURCH MOTION
Motion and second that _________________________ Church,
its pastors, preachers, staff, and members adopt the
Doctrinal Statement Article III D “Marriage-God created
marriage” (Gen. 1:27-28; 2:23-24). Jesus Christ declared
the Creator’s intention for marriage to be the inseparable
and exclusive union between a man and a woman (natural
man and natural woman) (Matt. 19:4-6; Mark 10:6-9).
Marriage testifies of the union between Christ and the
church (Eph. 5:31-32; Rom. 1:25-27).
We declare that our pastors, ministers (licensed and ordained)
not marry gay or lesbian couples while being a member of
__________________ Church of ___________________, and
that our building and grounds not be used in gay marriages.
Footnote – this is an example that our B.M.A. Churches can use
to adopt in their church.
Dr. John Adams
Executive Director
Moral Action – B.M.A.