Our Mission and Beliefs

We believe that Christian marriage is a sacred institution ordained by God for the well-being and propagation of humankind. It is a covenant representing the spiritual and physical union into which one man and one woman may enter for the glory of God, symbolizing the relationship of Christ to his church. As the sign of this covenant, sexual activity is reserved exclusively for the marriage relationship. According to the scriptural ideal, marriage requires sacrificial love and faithfulness to each other for life.

Genesis 1:27-28; Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:1-12; Ephesians 5:21-33; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8; Hebrews 13:4.

The complexities of defining marriage in modern culture have continued to grow.  The complexities of defining marriage in modern culture have continued to grow. Court cases such as Obergefell v. Hodges of 2015, in which the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that the fundamental right to marry was guaranteed to same sex couples, have clouded the definition of marriage. However, we believe the definition of Christian marriage is determined by the word of God, not a human courts’ decision.   

Christian marriage is a sacred institution. It was God’s idea from the very beginning. His purposes for the couple include help, companionship, intimacy, spiritual growth, sexual enjoyment, and propagation of the human race. (Matthew 19:4-6, Mark 10:6-8, Eccl. 9:9, Genesis 1:27-28, 2:18, 2:24-5)  

Christian marriage is designed by God to be between one man and one woman. It is more than a social contract between two people. God designed man and woman for each other with complementary physiology and for complementary relationship that cannot be attained by any other combination. (Genesis 1:27, 31, 2:18, Romans 1:26,27)  

Christian marriage is a covenant. A covenant is a binding relationship that is meant to last a lifetime. The marriage covenant is intended by God to represent Jesus Christ’s relationship with the church, his bride. Marriage as a covenant requires faithfulness, perseverance, love, sacrifice and submission. (Mark 10:9, Ephesians 5:21-33, Genesis 2:24)  

 Christian marriage is exclusive. It is designed to be between one man and one woman for life. Sex was designed for the marriage bed alone and scripture admonishes us to keep the “marriage bed pure”. While scripture gives some potential allowances for divorce, this was not the scriptural ideal. (Matthew 19:9, Mark 10:9, Romans 7:2, 1 Corinthians 7:10, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8, Hebrews 13:4)  

Valley’s emphasis on Christian marriage is not new. It flows from our affirmations holding to the authoritative nature of the word of God, the reflection of marriage to the relationship of Christ and the church and the need for all believers to submit to the word (Christian conduct).  

Christian marriage is a sacred institution ordained of God for the happiness of mankind and the propagation of the race. It is a spiritual and physical union into which one man and one woman may enter for the glory of God and, according to the scriptural ideal, is to be broken only by death (Genesis 2:18, 24; Matthew 19:3-9; Romans 7:2).  

 Note: This statement is adapted from Converge’s Doctrinal Distinctive on Christian Marriage

We believe God created humankind immutably as male and female to reflect and bear His image. As such, human beings of every ethnicity, age, ability, as well as the pre-born deserve dignity, protection, honor, respect, and Christian love. Because of Adam and Eve’s free choice to sin, God’s image in all humankind has become distorted and relationship with God has become disrupted.

Genesis 1:26-27; Psalm 139:13-14; Romans 1:18-27; Romans 5:12; Colossians 3:12-14; Titus 3:1-5; Revelation 7:9.

We feel it is important to affirm a statement on the theology of humankind. This is a very common topic in the Affirmation of Faith for most churches and denominations. Our contemporary culture is wrestling with issues related to gender identity and racial conflict. It seems wise to express this conviction as a Closely Held Belief for our church body.

 All humankind bears God’s image. We believe that God created humankind in His own image as it clearly states in the Genesis account. Only people are described this way in the Bible. It distinguishes humans from the rest of creation, and it explains humankind’s special relationship with God. We bear God’s image in that it defines our very nature, that is, what it means to be human. People also reflect God’s image as the attributes of God, in a limited degree, can be seen in human action. (Genesis 1:26-28, Acts 17:28, Colossians 3:12-13)

Each person bears God’s image. Scripture says that both men and women are made in God’s image. It is not greater in one person than another. Furthermore, we believe that human gender and sex are a gift from God and should not be redefined or altered by anyone’s preferences. It is immutable. Even if someone were to behave like a different gender or have themselves surgically changed, it would never change how God created them to be. A person’s genetic makeup in the sex chromosomes remains the same. Even in rare cases involving genetic disorders, we affirm that God does not make mistakes. Each person is God’s workmanship, and by His will they were created and have their being. (Genesis 1:27, Deuteronomy 22:5 and 32:4, Ephesians 2:10, Revelation 4:11)

Each person’s value is based on bearing God’s image. God’s image also affects how we ought to treat our fellow human beings. We belong to God, and therefore all people are innately valuable. The sacredness of human life is an important principle in the Bible. God foreknows every person’s existence, and each life begins in the womb. Homicide is condemned specifically because people bear God’s image, and according to James, so is verbal abuse. Racism and injustice are evil because they deny people their God-given worth, and God is rescuing for Himself  people from every culture and nation. God’s image in humankind is the basis for the great commandment to love your neighbor as yourself. (Genesis 9:6, Psalm 139:13-14, Habakkuk 2:12, Luke 10:27, Romans 8:29, Ephesians 1:4, James 3:9, Revelation 7:9)

Our reflection of God’s image is currently marred by sin. The image of God in humankind has become corrupted by sin. Adam and Eve were the first people to disobey God by their own free choice. Since then, all people have exhibited the tendency to sin. Disobedience and sin have become part of human nature, and it separates people relationally from God and each other. Our sinful condition requires our salvation in Jesus Christ. (Genesis 3:6, Isaiah 59:2, Romans 5:12 and 7:18, Titus 3:1-5)

Valley’s emphasis on humanity is not new. It flows from our affirmations holding to the authoritative nature of the word of God, and the effect of fallenness on human relationships (regeneration and Christian conduct).

Note: This statement is adapted from Converge’s Doctrinal Distinctive on Humanity.

Every human being is created in God's image with inherent dignity and worth. God intentionally created humanity to reflect His glory -- expressed through our many races and ethnicities. However, sin corrupted our relationships—leading to violence and discrimination. We separated from one another and dehumanized and devalued one another based on distinctions like ethnicity and race. This is sinful and violates God’s just nature. Christ’s sacrifice tears down these walls, and in Christ all believers are united as one family by the Holy Spirit regardless of ethnicity or race. Following Jesus' example of crossing boundaries in love, we are called to repent of prejudice, forgive and love one another, and serve as ambassadors of reconciliation. Now we anticipate and hope to reflect God's future when people of every nation, tribe, and language will worship together as one redeemed people forever.

Genesis 1, 3, 11:1-11:9; Exodus 22:21; Amos 5:24; Micah 6:8; Matthew 6:14-15, 22:36-40, 28:19-21; John 4:1-30, 13:34-35, 17:20-23; Acts 10:28; 1 Corinthians 12:12-26; 2 Corinthians 5:14-21; Galatians 3:26-29; Ephesians 2:11-22; James 2:1-9; 1 John 4:7-21; Revelation 7:9-12

We feel it is important to affirm a statement on the theology of race. The Elders began exploring the theology of race in response to passionate discussions in the Church and society about racial tension and injustice. As we studied, we realized that these issues fit into the broader context of the doctrine of humanity and the history of ethnic divisions that predates our nation. Consequently, we have developed a theological statement we hope will begin to answer the question: What does the Bible say about race and ethnicity, and how might we equip Valley members and attendees to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with those of all different races and ethnicities both inside and outside the Church?

Each person has been singularly and exceptionally created in God’s image to uniquely bring glory to Him (Genesis 1:27). Therefore, each individual is of inestimable value (Matthew 10:29-31, 16:26), loved by God (John 3:16), and worthy of honor and respect (1 Peter 2:17).

Our Triune God filled creation with a wide variety of plants and animals, each reflecting His glory through their differences (Genesis 1; Psalm 104:24-30). Human beings are created with a variety of characteristics which reflect God’s gracious creativity (Genesis 5:1-3, 9:6; Acts 17:26-28).

Humanity was corrupted by sin at the Fall (Genesis 3). Sin is objective rebellion against God resulting in our falling short of His glory and righteousness. Every descendant of Adam inherits a sin nature that leads to sinful acts, which produce guilt and condemnation and alienate us from God and one another.  Having fallen, our love for others and respect for their intrinsic value as God’s image bearers was stunted (Genesis 4:8, 6:5-7; Matthew 24:12).

Consequently, human beings have separated from one another based on ethnicity—shared ancestry and culture expressed through language, customs, cuisine, religion, and more (Genesis 10:1-11:9). The concept of race emerged as an attempt to categorize natural variations among human beings—differences in traits such as skin tone, bone structure, hair texture, and facial features that developed across geographic regions. However, these categories were transformed into a hierarchy that was used to justify colonization, the slave trade, and other abuses. Such human-invented divisions contradict God’s design for human unity, even though some communities have claimed racial identity to express heritage and resilience.

Sinful tendencies like envy, lust for power and money, and prejudice have led groups of one kind to perpetrate hateful, unjust, and violent acts against other groups for millennia (Amos 5:24; Galatians 5:19-21; James 3:16). Race has been used to justify dividing, dehumanizing, exploiting, and discriminating against entire groups of people. This violates God’s just nature and His will that we live in just relationships (Leviticus 19:15; Psalm 89:14; Isaiah 58:1-9; Jeremiah 22:3).

Prejudice based on race or ethnicity is a failure to love our neighbors as ourselves (Exodus 22:21-23; Leviticus 19:17; Micah 6:8; Matthew 22:36-40; James 3:9). Churches and Christians have sometimes courageously stood against racism and ethnic prejudice and violence. At other times, Christians, congregations, and entire denominations have assented to, supported, and participated in racial and ethnic injustice. Racism and ethnic prejudice persist to this day. Such behavior is sinful.

But God the Father sent his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to die on a cross to pay for our sins. He Himself crossed ethnic, racial, and social boundaries, showing us God’s nature and setting an example for us (Matthew 1:1-21; Matthew 8:5-13; Luke 10:25-37). When we accept forgiveness made possible by Jesus’ atoning death, we are reconciled to God, which transforms our relationships with one another (John 4:1-30, 17:20-23; 1 Corinthians 1:10). Through Jesus’ sacrifice, dividing walls of hostility between people—such as Jew and Gentile—are torn down, uniting all who are “in Christ” (1 Corinthians 12:12-26; Galatians 3:26-29; Ephesians 2:11-22; Colossians 1:16-20, 3:11). In fact, being “in Christ” becomes our defining characteristic, ahead of all other identities such as ethnicity, social status, or nationality (John 17:20-23; Acts 10:28-35; Romans 8:12-17).

We must repent of any thoughts or actions that diminish our fellow human beings (Luke 13:1-9). To repent is to turn away from sin, change our mind, admit we were wrong, regret the pain we have caused, and turn to God in a new relationship of whole-life obedience. God’s will is for us to repent and be reconciled with our brothers and sisters (Romans 12:18; Ephesians 2:14). We must also forgive those who have perpetrated injustices—including those that are racially and ethnically motivated—against us (Matthew 6:14-15; Ephesians 4:32).

We are commanded to put away evil deeds, including judging one another by wrong motives or outward appearances (1 Samuel 16:7; Matthew 7:1-2; John 7:24; Romans 2:11; James 2:1-9). Instead, we must love one another, bear one another’s burdens, and show patience toward one another (Philippians 2:1-11; 1 John 4:7-12). By living this way, we demonstrate Christ’s sanctifying love and serve as a powerful witness to the world (John 13:34-35). We are now redeemed ambassadors of reconciliation to God and one another (2 Corinthians 5:14-21; Colossians 1:19-22).

We are called to share the Gospel with all nations—to proclaim it diligently to all people from our neighborhoods to the ends of the earth, including people of every race and ethnicity (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8). As we fulfill this mission, we anticipate the glorious day when people from every nation, tribe, and language will dwell together and gather in God’s presence to worship as one redeemed people forever (Revelation 7:9-12).