The Muscatine Vineyard offers heartfelt welcome, hospitality and inclusion to the LGBT community. This means everyone is welcome here. We also hold the orthodox theology regarding marriage, sexuality, and gender. This tension between Biblical teaching and cultural relevance means everyone should feel the challenge of the Gospel message.
The Vineyard is a safe place to explore the meaning of a relationship with Jesus Christ. Anyone, regardless of sexual orientation is welcome to worship with us. We are "welcoming and including" and we encourage everyone to follow Jesus wholeheartedly. We realize the church has been a source of hurt and woundedness for those in the LGBTQ+ community and, in general, has contributed to the homophobia associated with churches today. It is our posture to offer prayer, comfort, mercy, and compassion to those in the LGBTQ+ community and to extend grace. We do not attempt to change anyone's orientation, but rather to be accepting as Jesus commands us to be by caring for one another as though we are serving Jesus himself.
Because we hold to orthodox theology and praxis, we do not perform same-sex marriages and our leadership must commit to practicing traditional and biblical sexual ethics. Our pastors are not allowed to perform same-sex marriages whether in the church or another venue.
We make every effort to have a humble attitude toward hurting people regardless of their orientation. This will undoubtedly lead to uncomfortable tension for those who reject the LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters, we will encourage all to come to a mutual understanding, acceptance and love as Jesus demonstrated to all. We may sometimes disagree, but we are committed to loving everyone God loves and we will treat one another accordingly.
The Vineyard is a safe place to explore the meaning of a relationship with Jesus Christ. Anyone, regardless of sexual orientation is welcome to worship with us. We are "welcoming and including" and we encourage everyone to follow Jesus wholeheartedly. We realize the church has been a source of hurt and woundedness for those in the LGBTQ+ community and, in general, has contributed to the homophobia associated with churches today. It is our posture to offer prayer, comfort, mercy, and compassion to those in the LGBTQ+ community and to extend grace. We do not attempt to change anyone's orientation, but rather to be accepting as Jesus commands us to be by caring for one another as though we are serving Jesus himself.
Because we hold to orthodox theology and praxis, we do not perform same-sex marriages and our leadership must commit to practicing traditional and biblical sexual ethics. Our pastors are not allowed to perform same-sex marriages whether in the church or another venue.
We make every effort to have a humble attitude toward hurting people regardless of their orientation. This will undoubtedly lead to uncomfortable tension for those who reject the LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters, we will encourage all to come to a mutual understanding, acceptance and love as Jesus demonstrated to all. We may sometimes disagree, but we are committed to loving everyone God loves and we will treat one another accordingly.
