Issues for Clarification

The Scriptures teach and require that marriage be reserved for and restricted to a union between one man and one woman^{Gen 1:27; Matt 19:4-6; Rom 1:26-27}. God designed marriage between one man and one woman as an analogy of Christ's relationship with the Church^{Eph 5:21-33}. Thus marriage is a complementary partnership. It is the God-ordained context for relational intimacy, sexual fulfillment and multiplication^{Gen 1:27-28; Gen 2:18; Gen 2:23-25; 1 Cor 6:18; 1 Cor 7:9; Eph 5:31}. Marriage, as God designed it, restrains immorality^{1 Cor 7:2}. The Scriptures encourage and restrict sexual intimacy to the covenant of marriage between one man and one woman^{Matt 19:4-6; Heb 13:4}. Any other arrangement is not truly a marriage in the eyes of God.

Each person is created by God^{Ps 139:13-16} and this includes their maleness or femaleness^{Gen 1:27}. Therefore gender is given by God and not determined by man. We deny that gender is a matter of the mind and an option for the body. We affirm that we live in a broken world and that gender dysphoria is a reality for many. But we also affirm that this is a confusion on our part and God will be faithful to lend his grace to us in these matters as we seek Him for clarity and instruction from Scripture^{Jas 1:5}.

Christian Fellowship Church affirms the God-ordained and significant role that women should play in establishing and leading the local church. Every leadership opportunity is open to women except those that are excluded by Scripture. The Scriptures clearly state that men are to serve in the office of Elder and that women are not to serve in church positions in which they exercise authority over men or in which they teach doctrine to men^{1 Tim 2:12; 1 Tim 3:1-2; Titus 1:6-9}. In marriage, the wife willingly submits to the leadership of the husband; the husband loves her sacrificially^{Eph 5:22-33; 1 Pet 3:1-7}. Any abuse of this design, either by a lack of willingness on her part or a lack of humble servitude on his part, is a danger to the health of both the home and the church.

We do not see this as an issue of equality, for men and women are equal under God. Women are not only equal in value, but equal in necessity for Creation was not completely good until God made woman. Yet the Bible is clear that men and women do not have the same roles. These roles are equal in value and complementary in function. This complementarity is a beautiful display of the gospel^{Eph 5:32}.

While we believe that the Scriptures do not teach that certain gifts have ceased, they indicate that use of the gifts vary according to the need that each gift meets. Christian Fellowship Church does not actively promote the use of "sign gifts." Instead, we seek to emphasize the more excellent way of love as well as zeal for the more edifying gifts^{Rom 12:4-8; 1 Cor 12:4-5, 11-26, 31; 1 Cor 13:1-13; 2 Cor 12:12}.

Those who claim to possess the gift of tongues and other sign gifts are welcome to worship and fellowship with us if they are willing to be a source of unity rather than division within our church body.

We believe that the Christian life is supernatural and that the Lord continues to perform miracles. The Lord provides miracles as he chooses and there is nothing we do that can obligate God to respond with signs and wonders.

We believe that the Bible does not condemn drinking in moderation. The Bible clearly condemns drunkenness, however, and issues strong warnings concerning alcohol. Therefore we believe in cautious liberty.