Marriage is the sacred and covenantal union between one man and one woman, and God’s intention is for marriage to last a lifetime (Gen. 1–2). 

When a divorce occurs, it is always a result of sin (whether from one spouse or another). However, divorce is not always sinful. Biblically, divorce is permitted, but not required, on the grounds of sexual immorality (porneia) or abandonment (Matt. 5:31–32; 19:1–9; 1 Cor. 7).  We believe sexual immorality (porneia) is best understood biblically as consisting of a range of actions with varying degrees of severity. We believe physical, sexual or other forms of abuse can be a form of abandonment. 

Marriage reconciliation can be the fruit of the Holy Spirit’s work, but it may not always be wise, possible or biblically commanded. 

When divorce is not biblically warranted, any subsequent remarriage (to someone other than the original spouse) results in biblical infidelity. In situations where divorce is biblically warranted, remarriage is possible. Christians who have been remarried following an unbiblical divorce should remain with their current spouse but follow the biblical admonition to repent and be forgiven of their past sins and make whatever amends are necessary.

We acknowledge that the subject of divorce and remarriage is biblically challenging in its interpretation and requires prayerful discernment and often a team of wise counselors in its personal application. In all instances, it includes complexity and nuance that cannot be over-simplified into a blanket policy, but requires prudence, patience and pastoral sensibility.

The elders affirm that all forms of abuse —including physical, emotional, verbal, economic, spiritual and sexual abuse — of one’s spouse or children are egregious evils because they are a desecration of the divine image of God in a person. We acknowledge they may be considered grounds for divorce as a breach of the marital covenant and/or desertion of the marriage, since stopping the abuse may require physical separation. 

We believe every human being is created in the image of God regardless of gender, socio- economic status, class, language, ethnicity, or nationality (Genesis 1:26–27). Therefore, every human being is created with equal dignity and value and deserves equal honor and respect. Although there are different ethnicities, there is only one race: the human race (Acts 17:26). Therefore, we reject and condemn any form of ethnically-based discrimination, partiality, superiority, and hatred. These are sins against both God and His image-bearers, whether it is expressed by individuals, groups, or systems. Conversely, God commands us to treat all people without partiality or favoritism, as His image-bearers (James 2:1; 8-9, Matthew 22:35-40).

We believe every human being, except for Jesus Christ who is both God and man, has inherited from Adam both his sinful nature and his guilt, and therefore every human being, except for Jesus Christ, stands condemned before the Only True Living God. Sin is humanity's fundamental problem (Romans 5:12). Ethnically-based discrimination, partiality, superiority, and hatred are expressions of sin and are the result of living in a fallen and cursed world. This has sadly been committed in countless times and places in human history. Like all sin, it must be acknowledged, confessed, and repented of.

We believe every human being from every tribe, tongue, and nation can be reconciled to God through faith in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 5:17- 22). Having been reconciled to God through the same Lord and Savior, all believers of every time, place, language, and ethnicity are reconciled to one another in Jesus. Having been reconciled to one another, believers are now one new humanity united across all worldly divisions for all eternity (Ephesians 2:11-22; Galatians 3:28). Ethnically-based discrimination, partiality, superiority, and hatred in the church are therefore a denial and contradiction of the Gospel of Jesus (Galatians 2:11-21). The redeemed and reconciled church is called to live out what we already are: a unified people made up of every tribe, tongue, and nation that will eternally live together in heaven, who are now to witness to God’s power, grace, peace, love, and glory here on earth (Romans 12:1-18; Revelation 5:9–10; John 17:20-23).

Therefore, 

(1) To those guilty of ethnically-based discrimination, partiality, superiority, and hatred in either thought, word, or action, we implore you to acknowledge, confess, and repent of these sins. The only way you can be forgiven by God, cleansed of your sin, and renewed to a life of love here on earth, is through faith in Jesus Christ; 

(2) To those who have suffered from ethnically-based discrimination, partiality, superiority, and hatred, we grieve with you, and we stand with you. Jesus sees and understands your struggle and your tears, and He protects, comforts, and strengthens all of the brokenhearted who trust in Him.