Our members and leaders have all different takes on many significant, contemporary life issues, including sexuality. On controversial issues, instead of taking one side or another, we seek a “third way” - creating space for people to “agree to disagree” on disputable matters that are not core to the central tenets of the gospel.

This approach means we welcome all persons into the life of our church, including LGBTQ+ persons and their families, respecting their discernment of God’s calling, whether to marriage or celibacy. LGBTQ+ persons may participate as members, volunteers, leaders, and staff.

There are different views on marriage within our congregation. We recognize that both “traditional” and “affirming” biblical interpretations place the marriage covenant at the heart of a sexual ethic. So we affirm that sexual intimacy finds its home in mutual promises of love and faithfulness that mirror and point to Christ’s covenant love for the church. 

We support the discernment of our pastors regarding matters of officiating and praying at same-sex wedding ceremonies.

We are committed to making space for one another and walking alongside all persons – across differences in race, ethnic or national origin, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, economic status, education, marital status, and stations in life.

Since our founding as a church, we have celebrated the leadership and contributions of women at every level. Women will preach, teach, lead worship and serve on our  leadership team as called and gifted by God. We will encourage and support any woman or girl who senses a call from God to ministry, while also encouraging the whole church to benefit from a female perspective on faith and the interpretation of the scriptures.

Rather than promote a legalistic percentage-based giving, we encourage generosity in all believers. We ask people to give as an act of worship to God, cheerfully, and without feeling forced to do so. We recognize that some people may not be able to give and we pray for God’s provision in their lives until they reach the point where they can give freely to the mission of the church.

As a “third way” community we make space for different convictions about how to interpret scripture’s call to baptism. In addition to baptizing adults who come to faith in Christ, we will baptize infants, and encourage parents to raise their children in the faith eventually seeking confirmation as a teen. We will also honor those who choose to dedicate their child, supporting those parents in raising their children in a life of faith until they come to a point later on where they freely respond to the call of baptism.