Inclusion

Inclusivity Statement

1. Stony Stratford Community Church believes that all people are loved by God. We welcome and serve people of all ages, genders, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, physical and mental abilities, neuro diversities, education, classes, economic status or political outlooks.

2. We welcome all who seek to follow Jesus to participate fully in church life. Opportunities such as believers’ baptism, membership, child dedication, ministry and leadership remain open to all, without exception, following our usual processes of preparation and discernment.

3. We will warmly receive same sex couples into our community to participate in all church life. Recognising our differing convictions on the nature of marriage we are unable to conduct same sex weddings, though we affirm their love and commitment and encourage them in their walk with Jesus.

4. We commit ourselves to living graciously together in the community of Christ regardless of differences on these matters and call each of us to the love and grace which are fundamental aspects of the Christian community.*

Note:

* We affirm the Bible as the authoritative Word of God and Jesus Christ as the final authority in all matters of faith and practice, while recognising in line with our Baptist tradition that faithful Christians and churches may interpret Scripture differently. Even where such differences arise, we believe they need not break our covenant relationships, and that by God’s grace it is both possible and desirable to continue in joyful fellowship with those who, through sincere reflection, prayer, and openness to the Spirit, reach conclusions that differ from our own.