Pastoral Page

Many brothers and sisters have heard that the General Synod of the United Church of Christ, which is the biennial gathering of delegates from the 39 Conferences of the UCC - recently passed a resolution calling for "equal marriage rights" for all couples in committed relationships, regardless of gender. This resolution has put the controversial "gay marriage" issue into the limelight and inadvertently necessitated local churches and congregations to face this much debated issue. Both Pastor Dave and I, being the shepherds of God's flock under our care (1 Peter 5:2), feel that we must share with you God's truth in this matter as we understand it.

1. First and foremost, this resolution is not a policy or rule that UCC churches must follow. The beauty of the congregational church polity is that each church or local body of believers is autonomous. Each is independent in its beliefs and practices. Each local church is formed with its own constitution, by-laws, and church covenant of faith. When someone joins the local church as a member, he or she voluntarily enters into a covenant with all other believers of that church to embrace the same church covenant of faith.

2. The Church Covenant of The First Chinese Church of Christ, as contained in Article III of our Church Constitution, embraces the teaching of the Bible as our final authority on matters of faith and morals. The first part of our Church Covenant reads, "We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God, profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness." What the Bible teaches, we shall abide and follow as the Word of God.

3. The Bible clearly states that homosexual or same sex union is a sin and is forbidden by God (see Leviticus 18:22 and Romans 1:26-27). Likewise, heterosexual union outside of marriage, such as lust, fornication, adultery, promiscuity, and prostitution are also sins in God's eyes and are forbidden by God. Jesus Christ pointed out that "at the beginning of creation God 'made them male and female.' 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh' " (Mark 10:6-8). Jesus Christ teaches that marriage is to take place between one man and one woman; the commitment is for life as long as both parties shall live. Divorce is not permitted except for the reasons of marital unfaithfulness (Matthew 19:9) and abandonment (1 Corinthians 7:15).

4. The Bible teaches that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Through Jesus Christ, God is willing to forgive any and all repentant sinners. The Word of God has promised "There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1). However, God does not want us to sin repeatedly or remain in sin. Just as Jesus Christ told the woman caught in adultery, "Then neither do I condemn you,…go now and leave your life of sin" (John 8:11). The Church of God must share the Good News of God's forgiveness and new life through Jesus Christ. However, we must also help the repentant sinners to leave their sinful lifestyle or sinful habits, instead of 'normalizing' their sins out of an erroneous attempt to be inclusive and accepting. What God has clearly forbidden, we have no right to normalize and encourage.

From my understanding of the Bible, the Word of God clearly and explicitly forbids homosexual unions or practices, just as the Bible clearly condemns sexual immorality, idolatry, adultery, theft, greed, drinking, slandering and swindling (see 1 Corinthians 6:9-10). If we profess that the Bible is "the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God" as we state in our Church Covenant, then we must abide by the Word of God, and say no to "same sex unions".

Love for Christ Jesus,
Pastor Ling