What we believe — and how we hope to love every person who reads this.

A word before you read

This page is meant to be honest. The questions of marriage, gender, and sexuality are among the most painful and contested in our culture today, and we know that some of you reading this carry deep wounds tied to those questions — wounds from the world, wounds from the Church, and sometimes wounds we've inflicted on ourselves.

So we want to be clear about two things at once.

First, we believe what we believe because we believe the Bible. We are committed to the convictions below not because they are easy or popular, but because we are convinced they reflect what God Himself has said and done for the good of His people and the glory of His name.

Second, every person who reads this page is made in the image of God, loved by Him, and worthy of compassion, kindness, respect, and dignity. Wherever you are, whatever you've done, however you've been hurt — you are welcome to read on, to ask hard questions, and to talk with us.

What we believe

Marriage

We believe marriage is a covenantal, sexual, procreative, lifelong union of one man and one woman, as husband and wife, designed by God to reflect the covenant love between Christ and His Church (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4–6; Ephesians 5:22–33).

We do not believe marriage is a human contract, redefinable at will. We do not believe God designed marriage as a homosexual, polygamous, or polyamorous relationship. And we do not believe any feeling, attraction, or commitment — however sincere — justifies sexual activity outside of marriage so defined.

Gender

We believe God created human beings in His image as male and female (Genesis 1:26–28). Our sex — male or female — is a gift of God and a fundamental part of who we are as His image-bearers. The differences between men and women are intentional, good, and not the result of the Fall.

We believe God disapproves of and forbids any attempt to alter one's gender (Genesis 1:26–28; Deuteronomy 22:5; Matthew 19:4). We also believe those born with a physical disorder of sex development are equally created in the image of God, equally loved, and equally welcome to follow Jesus.

Sexuality

We believe God's revealed will for all people is chastity outside of marriage and fidelity within marriage (1 Thessalonians 4:3–8; Hebrews 13:4).

We therefore believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, transvestism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, and pornography are sinful distortions of God's good gift of sex (Genesis 2:24; Leviticus 18; Romans 1:26–29; 1 Corinthians 5:1; 6:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8). These are not arbitrary prohibitions. They are God's loving fence around something He designed to be life-giving and Christ-reflecting.

What this means practically

For employees and volunteers. All persons employed by Light House Church in any capacity, and all who serve as volunteers, agree to and abide by these convictions (Matthew 5:16; Philippians 2:14–16; 1 Thessalonians 5:22). Violation of any part of this statement constitutes good cause to terminate employment or volunteer status.

For our members. Our Membership Commitments include the pursuit of holiness in how we speak and live (1 Peter 1:14–16) and the willingness to receive church discipline as a mercy from God when we fall (Matthew 18:15–20). This applies to sins of sexuality as it does to sins of anger, greed, gossip, and pride — none of us is exempt, and the goal is always repentance and restoration, not condemnation.

For everyone who walks through our doors. Compassion. Love. Kindness. Respect. Dignity. Always (Mark 12:28–31; Luke 6:31).

Hateful or harassing behavior or attitudes toward any individual, on any grounds, are not in accord with Scripture and are not the way of Light House Church. We reject and repent of any way we have ever, by word or deed or silence, failed to love any person made in God's image.

What we believe about hope

Here is the gospel we preach.

We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to everyone who confesses and forsakes their sin and seeks His mercy through Jesus Christ (Romans 10:9–10; 1 Corinthians 6:9–11; 1 John 1:9).

"And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."— 1 Corinthians 6:11

The grace of God in Christ is sufficient to forgive every sexual sin. It is also sufficient to give power for holiness to every believer who feels drawn into sexual sin (1 Corinthians 10:13; Titus 2:11–14).

The Lord's arm is not too short to save. No one is beyond His reach.

If any of what's on this page touches a wound you carry — whether you agree with us or disagree, whether you've been hurt by the Church or hurt others, whether you are struggling to follow Jesus in this area or wondering if Jesus could love you in this area — please reach out. We would love to listen, to pray with you, to point you to Jesus, and, where it's helpful, to walk with you.

Read more

Talk with us