Holiness and Leadership Statement
Adapted by Session (February 14, 2002)

Members of the church of Jesus Christ are called to live holy lives before God by demonstrating life-giving practices and avoiding behavior that opposes the clear teaching of scripture and the Reformed Theology of the church.

Holiness is more than the avoidance of sin: it is the positive affirmation in our individual and corporate lives of God’s plan and care for us in a fallen world. We affirm God’s special care for the poor and outcast, and His paramount concern for justice, fidelity, and accountability in relationships. Likewise, we affirm God’s guidance regarding sexuality. We give thanks for the holy gift of sexual intimacy which is to be honored and enjoyed only in marriage between a man and a woman, which God intends to be a permanent and faithful partnership of love and mutual care.

Accordingly, we acknowledge, confess and repent of our sins, which draw us away from God, such as: bigotry, covetousness, greed, lust, materialism, pride, and sexual activity outside of marriage. We believe that the only appropriate response to any sin is confession and repentance. We follow a God who offers us grace and forgiveness, and asks us to do likewise.

Leaders at Bethany must be willing to affirm in their actions these principles, and be willing to honor this teaching at Bethany in accepting or continuing in positions of leadership such as pastors, elders, deacons, staff, teachers, youth leaders or those leading in worship.