Doctrinal Statement

Waterbrook Church holds to the traditional Christian ethic that all men and women, being created in the image of God, have inherent and equal dignity and worth. Their greatest purpose is to obey, worship and love God. God created us male and female, which is identified by our biological sex given at birth. Marriage is the exclusive union of one man and one woman and is a picture of the relationship between Christ and his bride the church. Sexual intimacy is a gift from God to be enjoyed only within the context of marriage. 

We believe these convictions are derived from the clear teaching of Scripture. In both the Old and the New Testament, marriage is painted in a positive light, and homosexual activity, along with all other sexual intimacy outside of heterosexual marriage, is declared by God to be sinful. Nowhere in the Bible is there an expectation that marriage can exist between two or more people of the same sex. 

Old Testament Background: In the beginning God created Adam and Eve, one man united to one woman (Genesis 2v18-25). We note that sexual intimacy was part of the pre-fall relationship between the man and the woman and is a gift to humankind. It is apparent throughout the Old Testament that the model set forth in Genesis 2 is the God-given pattern for marriage. Wherever sexual activity occurs outside of marriage it is presented in a negative light, and the Mosaic Law expressly forbids adultery (sex in breach of the marriage covenant) (Exodus 20v14) and fornication (sex outside marriage) (Exodus 22v16), as well as homosexual sex (Leviticus 18v22). 

New Testament Confirmation: The New Testament upholds the teaching of Genesis on marriage; Jesus affirms Genesis 1-2  in Matthew 19v4-6, showing that marriage is to be a one-flesh relationship between a man and a woman. Further, the presupposition in Paul’s teaching is that marriage entails a husband-wife relationship (Ephesians 5v22-33). Again, all the references to homosexual sex are negative and indicate that it is sinful (Romans 1v18-32, 1 Corinthians 6v9-11, 1 Timothy 1v8-10). 

Despite pressures from society, Waterbrook Church will continue to uphold the traditional biblical view that: 

• sexual activity is a gift to be enjoyed only within heterosexual marriage and that, outside of this setting, it is sinful; 
• marriage involves a man and woman, bound together in covenant relationship, a relationship that cannot be redefined.  
• God created mankind male and female for them together to reflect his glory (Genesis 1: 27) and that we should uphold and celebrate that distinction. 
• At the same time, we recognise that we all sin and fall short of God’s standards in many ways, and we will always seek to make clear the forgiveness and grace that extend to all repentant sinners, including those for whom sexual sin has formed a major part of their backgrounds. 

Therefore, at Waterbrook Church: 

• We will seek to uphold traditional biblical sexual ethics in both our teaching and our practices. 
• In view of this none of our leaders could in good conscience perform, bless or host same-sex marriage or wedding ceremonies. 
• Recognising that many people including Christians struggle with sexual temptation (whether it is same-sex attraction or inappropriate heterosexual relationships), or gender confusion, we will foster gracious support of one another in such struggles.