Statement on God’s Design for Marriage, Gender, and Human Sexuality

Authority

We believe in the plenary, verbal inspiration of the whole Bible and that it is the supreme and final authority in faith and life (2 Timothy 3:16–17; 2 Peter 1:20–21). The Bible speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and human conduct, and it is the ultimate source for all that we believe.

The responsibility for Cadence International’s doctrine, policies, conduct, and discipline rests with the Cadence Board of Directors in coordination with the Cadence Executive Leadership Team. The Cadence Statement of Doctrine can only be modified by a three-fourths vote of Cadence career staff. The teaching of Scripture is entrusted to Cadence staff in their locations.

Marriage and Family

We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person male or female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God (Genesis 1:26–27).

We believe marriage is intended to be an enduring covenantal relationship between one man and one woman. God created marriage to be a sacred, lifelong union of Christlike attributes: love, honor, understanding, headship, sacrifice, and submission (Genesis 2:22–24; Matthew 19:4–6; Mark 10:6-9; 1 Corinthians 6:19–20, Ephesians 5:21–33). 

We acknowledge that Cadence staff may have differing perspectives in their understanding and application of headship and submission. Our primary focus and expectations are for each married couple to have a healthy, God-honoring relationship that reflects the specific biblical passages on marriage as well as the whole of Scriptural teaching on relationships. 

Cadence staff display respect and gospel-unity with fellow staff members who hold differing convictions on this matter (John 17:20–23; Ephesians 4:1–6; Colossians 3:13–15).

Biblical Boundaries on Sexual Practices

God’s design for human sexuality as revealed in Scripture is that sexual intimacy is a gift from God and is intended to be a meaningful expression of love and commitment between a man and a woman within the covenantal relationship of marriage (Genesis 2:24; Ephesians 5:22–33; 1 Corinthians 7:1–5; Hebrews 13:4).

Participating in, promoting, or nurturing the lust for premarital, extramarital, or homosexual behavior is sinful  (1 Corinthians 5:1–13; 6:9–11; 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8).

Affirming and building on the moral law of the Old Testament (Leviticus 18:22; 20:13), the New Testament includes homosexual behavior in the lists of behaviors that are sexually immoral from which believers are to abstain and avoid (Romans 1:25–27; 1 Corinthians 6:9–11; 1 Timothy 1:9–11). 

Sexual celibacy is a worthy state for single men and women. Unmarried people who abstain from sex are just as pleasing to God as persons who are sexually faithful in marriage (Matthew 19:12; 1 Corinthians 7:1, 8).​

Ministry Posture

Cadence staff are committed to reaching out with the love and grace of Jesus without either compromising the truth of the Bible or displaying attitudes of condemnation or contempt for those to whom we minister who struggle in these areas. We will seek to love with both grace and truth (Ephesians 4:14–16; 2 Thessalonians 2:13–17; John 1:14–17; 2 John 1:3).