The IPHC Executive Committee of the Council of Bishops (ECCOB) calls the church to pray for the Supreme Court and their upcoming ruling on same-sex marriage. With this in mind, the ECCOB has issued the following statement:
“Likely the end of this week or early next week the United States Supreme Court will announce its decision regarding same-sex marriage. Many western nations have already abandoned the historic understanding of marriage and sexuality. We are asking the IPHC family to take time this week to pray for the United States in this matter.
While many view this as a civil rights issue, we view this as an issue of God’s purposes in creation for men and women. The National Association of Evangelicals has rightly stated, “We acknowledge that marriage is the foundation of the family where children are raised by a mother and father together.” We view this in light of Christ’s love for His church, the Bride, manifesting the wisdom and righteousness of the Creator to this lost world.
The IPHC stance on this issue is very clear in our Manual. Homosexuality is a sin regardless of shifting cultural opinions. IPHC ministers can only perform weddings or other celebrations of that nature between a man and a woman. IPHC local church properties, institutional/conference/denominational properties can only be used for weddings and related ceremonies between a man and a woman.
In taking this stance, we are motivated by our duty to love God and our neighbor. This love extends to those who disagree with us on this issue. It is love that compels us to “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15). It is love that compels all of us to follow the command of Jesus and “Repent, and believe in the gospel,” for the kingdom of God is at hand (Mark 1:15).
Regardless the Court decision, let us be people who speak the truth, love all who are lost in sin, stand for righteousness, and intercede with faith, hope, and love.”