The fair treatment and inclusion of LGBTQ people in the church is a matter of justice—one of our foundational values—and we pledge to work to reconcile injustice against LGBTQ people in the greater church and outside it. Sexual orientation and gender identity must not be barriers to those seeking access to God’s love, grace, and growth in Christ’s church. As followers of Jesus, we are called to break down dividing walls and welcome all people.
We affirm broad historical orthodoxy as outlined in the consensual creeds of Christianity. We embrace the Evangelical Covenant Church’s foundational ethos as expressed in Covenant Affirmations1, notably the affirmations of the centrality of the Word of God, freedom in Christ, and a conscious dependence on the Holy Spirit. We celebrate the ECC’s history of finding a third way in controversies about non-essential matters such as infant baptism2, just war theory3, and many others.
We humbly recognize that we hold a minority view on human sexuality within our denomination4. Artisan values and joyfully welcomes all LGBTQ persons, whether they are single, in relationship, or called to celibacy. In order to persist in fellowship and remain in good standing within the ECC, we are currently unable to officiate or host same-sex weddings5; however, we have partnerships with local pastors and churches who can, and we will provide references as requested.