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Pastor's Page

Posted on July 13, 2004 ...

This week the United States Congress is considering the Federal Marriage Amendment Act. This legislation proposes adding the following wording to our nation’s constitution:

Marriage in the United States shall consist only of the union of a man and a woman. Neither this Constitution, nor the constitution of any State, shall be construed to require that marriage or the legal incidents thereof be conferred upon any union other than the union of a man and a woman.

The patriots who established our founding documents wisely saw to it that our constitution could not be easily amended. A proposed amendment requires the approval of two-thirds of both houses of congress. It then must be ratified by 38 state legislatures. While the Federal Marriage Amendment Act is in the early stages of this long legislative process, it is important to express our support of this nationwide definition of marriage.

Of course, the Federal Marriage Amendment is in reaction to efforts to define “same sex unions” as “marriages”. Historically and Biblically, marriage is a union between one man and one woman. Yet, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court recently said that marriage is an evolving paradigm. Passage of the Federal Marriage Amendment will establish a national definition of marriage as the traditional union between one man and one woman.

Some people endorse leaving this question up to the individual states. And many states governments, including Tennessee, are indeed in the process of placing wording defining marriage in their state constitutions. However, this “leave it to the States” approach is not functional in the long term. What happens when a homosexual couple “married” in a state allowing same sex marriages moves to another state that only recognizes opposite sex marriages? What legal rights do they keep or lose? Simply leaving the decision up to individual states creates a legal quagmire. A national standard is necessary.

Both our Tennessee Senators and our local representatives in the U.S. House of Representatives have indicated their support for the Federal Marriage Amendment. I hope you will join me in taking time to thank them for their support and assure them of your prayers.

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Slump Buster Update

With six Summer Sundays behind us, there are 254 people still eligible to be designated as Slump Busters. Remember, all those present in Bible Study at least eight of the ten Summer Sundays will receive a book or a music CD.

The younger singles class, Ones In Christ, lead the way as the best Slump Bustin’ class. They have exceeded their average attendance six out of the past six weeks. Close behind is The Seekers who have exceeded their average for five of the six weeks. Many others are still within reach. The best Slump Bustin’ class will be served Sunday morning breakfast by members of the staff.

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This Sunday night, there will be an information meeting regarding a Mission Trip to Crofton, Maryland over the Labor Day Holiday. We will be giving assistance to David Tucker in his new church start. Folks interested in participating will meet in the Annex at 8:00 p.m.