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AS REGARDS THE
INSTITUTIONS OF GOD
17. CHRISTIAN CITIZENSHIP
A/340. Christians are citizens of the kingdom of God and also of
this world. They receive benefits and bear responsibilities from
both relationships. Their first allegiance is to God, but that does
not release them from responsibilities to country if they do not
conflict with the clear teachings of the Scriptures (Romans 13:1-7).
They should pray for "all who are in high positions" (1
Timothy 2:2) and should "be subject for the Lord's sake to
every human institution" (1 Peter 2:13). They should actively
participate in civic life by involvement in constructive efforts
for the improvement of social, cultural, and educational standards
(Matthew 5:13-16); by opposition to degrading influences (2 Peter
2:4-10); and by the exercise of the right to vote.
18. MARRIAGE AND FAMILY
A/341. The Free Methodist Church recognizes marriage and family
as institutions ordained by God. Given that the church is the embodiment
of "the family of God," conduct within the church family
should mirror the conduct expected within the human family. As such,
guidelines for conduct are presented to assist in maintaining the
health and sanctity of marriage, family, and church family.
- 1. Nature of Marriage.
At creation God instituted marriage for the well-being of humanity
(Genesis 2:20-24; Mark 10:6-9). Marriage is the joining of one
man and one woman into a lifelong relationship which the Scriptures
call "one flesh." In this union the two retain their
individual identities, but subordinate them to the larger relationship
of marriage.
Marriage is the only proper setting for sexual intimacy. Scripture
requires purity before and faithfulness within marriage. It condemns
all unnatural sexual behavior such as incestuous abuse, child
molestation, homosexual activity and prostitution (1 Corinthians
6:9; Romans 1:26-27).
Marriage, therefore, should be safeguarded and supported by both
church and society. This calls for public vows. It is not enough
for a couple to live together in private commitment; they are
to covenant before God and state.
- 2. Nurturing Healthy Marriages and
Families.
The Free Methodist Church urges its people to enter the covenant
of marriage prayerfully. In accordance with the Apostle's command
(2 Corinthians 6:14), we expect them to marry only believers.
Before entering into marriage, all should counsel with their Christian
leaders. Young people contemplating marriage should seek parental
consent. Our ministers shall not officiate at the marriage of
any person under age, unless parents or guardians are present
or have given written consent, and unless two witnesses are present
who know the couple.
We require our churches to provide graded materials for instruction
in sex education and preparation for marriage. Pastors shall see
that all candidates for marriage have received premarital guidance,
using materials consistent with denominational teaching. We further
encourage local churches and conferences to provide resources
such as seminars and retreats to strengthen marriages and build
Christian homes. (Back
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- 3. Value and Nurture of Children.
The Free Methodist Church expects to be interactively involved
with parents in teaching and nurturing all children in the foundations
of the Christian faith. It is the purpose of the family, both
the human and family of God, to provide a setting in which adults
and children can grow together in their love of God and love for
each other (Deuteronomy 11:18-19; Joel 1:3).
Due to the value Jesus demonstrated toward children (Matthew 19:14),
our churches make ministry to children and youth a priority. Ministries
focus not only on leading young persons to faith in Jesus Christ
but also on enfolding them into church membership and ministry.
- 4. Healing Troubled Marriages and Families.
The church recognizes that the effect from crisis in marriage
is not limited to the married couple but also to the children,
parents, siblings, and the church family. The church which is
alive to God has spiritual resources for all those directly or
indirectly affected by marriages in trouble. The chief resources
are the renewing power of the Holy Spirit and the Word, prayer
and the sacraments, counsel and support. Through the church's
ministry, God can bring healing and reconciliation.
Domestic violence, either emotional or physical, increases with
the decadence of society and does occur in church-related families.
It often jeopardizes the safety of a spouse or children and may
threaten life itself. Family members so threatened need both spiritual
and emotional support and healing (Malachi 2:13-16).
- 5. Separation.
When an impossible situation is destroying the home, Christians
may separate. In such cases, the way to reconciliation must be
kept open (1 Corinthians 7:10-11). (Back
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- 6. Divorce.
When marriages break down completely, we recognize that, in the
words of Jesus, "hardness of heart" is implicit (Matthew
19:3-8; Mark 10:5-9).
Regarding divorce, the following scriptural principles apply:
a. When one marriage partner is a Christian and the other a nonbeliever,
the Christian may not for that reason divorce the unchristian
mate (1 Corinthians 7:12, 13), because Christian love may redeem
the unbeliever and unite the home in Christ (1 Corinthians 7:16).
b. A person denies the faith who deserts a spouse deliberately
and for an extended period of time. When the desertion leads subsequently
to divorce, the deserted partner is no longer bound by the marriage
(1 Corinthians 7:15).
c. Even when a marriage is violated by sexual infidelity, the
partners are encouraged to work for restoration of the union.
When reconciliation is impossible, divorce may be unavoidable
(Matthew 5:32; 19:9).
- 7. Recovery After Divorce.
Divorce always produces trauma. It is a breaking of covenant,
thus violating God's intention for faithfulness in marriage (Malachi
2:13-16). For this reason divorced persons should be helped to
understand and remedy the causes for the divorce. They should
seek pastoral counsel. Professional counsel may be necessary.
If unhealthy patterns of relating exist, they must be replaced
by new attitudes and behaviors which are Christlike (Colossians
3:1-15). Where hardness of heart is present repentance and forgiveness
are required. The goals of the process are personal healing and
restoration to ministry within the church. The church must extend
its concern to family and others affected by the divorce.
Leaders who minister to the divorced must be persons of integrity
who are mature in faith and in control of their own sexuality.
(Back
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- 8. Remarriage .
A divorced member who is considering marriage or a member who
is considering marriage to a divorcee shall submit to and follow
the counsel and guidance of the church.
Persons who have been involved in divorce while in a state of
unbelief shall not for that reason alone be barred from becoming
members, even though they remarry. Similarly, believers are not
prohibited from marrying a person who was divorced while an unbeliever.
A member of the church divorced from an adulterous spouse or deserted
by an unbelieving mate, after attempts at forgiveness and reconciliation
have been rejected, may remarry (Matthew 5:31-32; 19:3-11; 1 Corinthians
7:15).
- 9. Refusal of Counsel.
When a member divorces a spouse in violation of the Scriptures,
or remarries without seeking the counsel or following the guidance
of the pastor or the membership care committee, the committee
shall review the case and recommend appropriate action to the
local board of administration. Corrective action may include removal
from leadership, suspension, or expulsion from membership.
- 10. Exceptional Cases.
Cases may arise for which the pastor or the membership care committee
can find no explicit direction in the Book of Discipline. In such
cases, the pastor or the committee shall confer with the conference
superintendent.
- 11. In those countries where civil law makes application of
the prior sections of this paragraph impossible, a conference
or mission district may implement marital status norms for membership
compatible with the laws of the country, consistent with scripture,
and in line with our redemptive purposes.
(Back
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19. HOMOSEXUAL BEHAVIOR
A/342. Homosexual behavior, as all sexual deviation, is a perversion
of God's created order (Genesis 1-3). The sanctity of marriage and
the family is to be preserved against all manner of immoral conduct
(Exodus 22:16-17; Deuteronomy 22:23-28; Leviticus 20:10-16), thus
the Free Methodist Church does not recognize the legitimacy or participation
in the practice of same-sex marriage.
Homosexual behavior is contrary to the will of God as clearly stated
in Scripture (Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians
6:9-10; 1 Timothy 1:8-10).
Persons with homosexual inclinations are accountable to God for
their behavior (Romans 14:12).
The forgiving and delivering grace of God in Christ is all-sufficient
for the homosexual (1 John 1:9; Hebrews 7:25; Luke 4:18; 1 Corinthians
6:9-11).
The church has a personal and corporate responsibility to be God's
instrument of healing, restoring love to the homosexual seeking
recovery of Christian conduct and life-style (2 Corinthians 2:7-8).
The church opposes legislation which makes homosexual conduct or
life-style legitimate.
(Back
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