DALLAS — GuideStone Financial Resources is studying the Supreme Court’s decision that legalizes same-sex marriage in all 50 states,” Guidestone officials said in a prepared statement today (June 26). We join with the vast majority of Southern Baptists and other conservative Christians in strongly disagreeing with the Supreme Court’s decision to redefine judicially what we believe God has defined perfectly for all time, and which has been the building block of every decent society for thousands of years.
“We find ourselves much like Peter and the apostles in Acts 5 as they told the leaders of their day, ‘We must obey God rather than men,’” said GuideStone President O.S. Hawkins. “GuideStone Financial Resources continues to recognize that marriage is a God-ordained institution of one man and one woman united for life.”
“Any other definition is unacceptable.”
The Supreme Court’s decision, which now redefines marriage, will have lasting ramifications. GuideStone will work with internal and external counsel to determine its impact. It will likely take weeks to determine next steps.
In the meantime, churches should work with their legal and accounting advisors to determine whether their governing, employment, building use and other documents or policies need to be reviewed in light of the expanding definition of marriage. Our co-laborers at the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission have created a free handbook, Protecting Your Ministry, which may be useful for churches, available on their website, ERLC.com.
“The cultural and legal landscape, which has been shifting for some time, has made a radical change with this ruling, perhaps as large or larger a shift than Roe v. Wade,” Hawkins said. “GuideStone remains committed to advocating for the churches, ministries and pastors we serve during these days and will share information to help churches remain compliant in their health care and retirement plans.”
Missouri Baptist Convention's Official News Journal
