Postures

We make every attempt possible to live from a faith identity, regardless of sexual orientation. Our heart is that each of us, in following Jesus, would grow to live, love, and be more like Jesus daily. Our posture of affection, for us to be clear, is not that anyone would become like us but that we would all be more like Jesus.

When we see war/conflict our hearts are moved, especially in protecting people, helping churches, and pursuing transformation.

As religious beliefs shift Canada is seeing a transfer of once held religious beliefs transfer to the political sphere. "Politicalism" or the idea that things will only be made right when government x gets it right is on the rise. Our conviction is that the church is at its best when it is both personal and prophetic (holding Biblical absolutes) in our nation

Male and female are created in the image of God, therefore men and women have equal status and dignity before God. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit empowers both men and women for the mission of God, as the Book of Acts testifies.

At Lifecentre, we make every attempt possible to live from a faith identity, regardless of sexual orientation. Our heart is that each of us, in following Jesus, would grow to live, love, and be more like Jesus daily. Our posture of affection, for us to be clear, is not that anyone would become like us but that we would all be more like Jesus.

The way of Jesus calls us to key distinctives in how we relate to our sexual formation. We believe that living in the way of Jesus means embracing His vision of faithfulness in sexuality.  This practically looks like abstaining from all sexual relationships outside of the historic vision of Christian marriage expressed in whole life covenantal union between a man and woman, avoiding pornography, inappropriate relationships that compromise our witness and pursuing life-giving holiness by the grace of God. 

We are committed to seeking to understand and address the deep heart issues of identity and experience which draw some people into the LGBTQI+ practice; to reach out with love, compassion, and justice of Christ, and to reject and condemn all forms of hatred, verbal or physical abuse, and victimization of LGBTQI+ people.

In Jesus, we see grace and truth, engaging and abstaining, a call to obedience and a warning against disobedience. Various theories, beliefs, and identities regarding human sexuality intersect with our Statement of Faith and Biblical convictions.

Our Posture of Affection is not a statement of faith but articulates convictions regarding human sexuality and the Scriptures. It is also a response for clarity from the LGBTQI+ community, for us to better articulate our beliefs and clarify levels of desired church inclusion and where a difference of belief can create conflict.

The LGBTQI+ community is large and diverse, as is any community. Within the global church, local church communities adhere to a diverse spectrum of beliefs. Accordingly, Lifecentre has beliefs based on the Bible, which we call convictions. These convictions shape us as Lifecentre and, as such, have implications for membership, leadership, and staffing.

We have done our best to be transparent regarding our convictions, which have interwoven relationships with our absolutes. We believe inclusion/exclusion at Lifecentre is based on faith and belief of both absolutes, or our Statement of Faith and our convictions. We will not discriminate based on sexual identity. All who surrender to Jesus and walk in alignment with our shared Statement of Faith and convictions, even at different points of belief along the spectrum, experience no exclusion. Yet those who disagree with our SOFET (Statement of Faith/Fundamental Essentials and Truths) or convictions based on belief may experience felt exclusion at Lifecentre at higher levels of commitment where alignment is critical.

a) We believe covenantal marriage is the union between two sexually different persons (biological males and biological females) from different families and that God intends for his people to engage in sexual relations within the context of marriage. All sexual behaviour outside this context of marriage is considered sinful. We believe cohabitation is not equal to a covenant marriage.

b) We believe sexual behaviour is not essential for human flourishing and following Jesus. That is, marriage and sex are not rights given to all humanity but are gifts given to those who are called to marriage. We honour single heterosexual and LGBTQI+ followers of Jesus engaging in discipleship from a place of abstinence.

c) We believe God created humans as male and female and that our bodies are an essential aspect of our God-given identity. While this might take a lifetime, God intends for biological males to identify as males and biological females to identify as females. If not possible due to surgical transition, we trust God to work in each and every heart.

d) We are committed to seeking to understand and address the deep heart issues of identity and experience which draw some people into the LGBTQI+ practice; to reach out with love, compassion, and justice of Christ, and to reject and condemn all forms of hatred, verbal or physical abuse, and victimization of LGBTQI+ people.

e) We at Lifecentre gladly welcome the joyful opportunity to love, care for, and live in community with people who experience gender dysphoria, same-sex attraction, or identify as queer.

f) Lifecentre welcomes anyone, Christian or not yet a Christian, regardless of marital status, sexual orientation, or gender identity, to worship and grow in following Jesus together. Our Sunday services are genuinely open to all, and we have no moral expectations of people who attend our worship services. Felt exclusions based on belief may be experienced at the volunteer, membership, staffing, Pastor’s Council, and leadership levels of Lifecentre.

g) We, as Lifecentre, make a firm distinction between struggling with sin, which is part of being a Christian and calling sin righteousness, which is contrary to the Christian way of life. Our desire is to hold the same standard for same-sex and heterosexual sinful behaviour.

A Word on Conversion Therapy

The following is used with permission from our friends from the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, Canadian Council of Christian Charities, and Christian Legal Fellowship.

Lifecentre does not believe in or practice Conversion Therapy. It has proven damaging and abusive towards our LGBTQ+ family and friends. God does the work of transformation in all our lives. In any area, including sexuality, when by force we attempt to change one another, we only do harm.

We trust the moving of the Holy Spirit to start, continue, and bring to completion the sanctification work in each life. On behalf of the wishes of parents/guardians, we do not pray for minors in the area of sexual orientation.

Conversion therapy bans have been passed or proposed at all levels of government: municipal, provincial and federal. Many people who have experienced conversion therapy describe despair and suicidal ideation as a consequence. Initiatives to ban conversion therapy arise from a desire to protect Canadians from such damaging effects. We share these concerns. Coercive/involuntary efforts to “change” sexual orientation have no place within our communities. 

Still, many in the Christian community are deeply concerned about efforts to put conversion therapy bans in place. Why? The definition of conversion therapy in many of these bans is very broad. It expands beyond discredited practices – which are rightly condemned – to include “any practice … that seeks to change sexual orientation or gender identity, or eliminate or reduce sexual attraction or behaviour between persons of the same sex.” 

Broadly worded conversion therapy bans could impact freedom of expression and the ability of Canadians to live according to their religious conscience or personal convictions in the following ways: 

1. Effectively prevent people from freely accessing the help and support they voluntarily seek to live out their identity, including the teaching and practice of traditional Christian beliefs regarding gender and sexuality. Canadians must be free to order their sexual lives following their religious conscience, faith identity and personal convictions and voluntarily access support from their faith community, pastoral care, and other supports in doing so.

2. Limit or prohibit those within churches and faith-based communities, and even within families, from praying, encouraging discipleship and engaging in religious instruction concerning human sexuality, and offering pastoral care to those who voluntarily seek support on this matter.

3. Restrict the diagnosis and treatment offered by a medical professional to a patient with gender dysphoria so that the only acceptable treatment option is affirmation and support to transition. This would prevent medical professionals from using their professional judgment to best treat the patient before them.

When the government undertakes initiatives to prohibit any harmful activity, it should always be narrowly focused on the specific activity. It should not overreach. In this case, the focus is and should remain on abusive and coercive practices.

How Can We Engage Wisely

Canada’s current conversations around conversion therapy create unique opportunities for Christians to thoughtfully reflect on how we can improve our witness and meaningfully engage with political leaders. Our goal is to seek the well-being of our land (Jeremiah 29:7) and to live out the gospel call to love our neighbour (Matthew 22:39). 

As we engage on this difficult issue, it is important that we do so with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15). This is an opportunity for constructive dialogue. It is an opportunity to demonstrate love and grace to LGBTQ+ people in our communities and for the love of Christ to be known. We must, then, be prayerful and wise in our communications with elected officials. 

Once again, we affirm: All people are created in God’s image and are loved by God, having equal dignity and worth. Coercive or abusive practices to “change” sexual orientation have no place within our communities. As followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to first love God and then to love all our neighbours as ourselves. God’s design for sexuality, as taught in the Bible, recognizes to our sorrow that the church has not always responded with grace when dealing with matters of sexuality.

Lifecentre will remain focused on keeping the gospel our main thing. As Canadians this does not mean we are apolitical, it means Lifecentre is not partisan  -  we do not affiliate with any political party.

As religious beliefs shift Canada is seeing a transfer of once held religious beliefs transfer to the political sphere. "Politicalism" or the idea that things will only be made right when government x gets it right is on the rise.

Our conviction is that the church is at its best when it is both personal and prophetic (holding Biblical absolutes) in our nation. As this is a conviction and not an absolute, there can be kind disagreement or discussion surrounding our posture. Unity is learning how to be loving toward one another, especially in disagreement. How we disagree matters. It affects our testimony.

We do encourage personal and prophetic engagement regarding decisions, bills, or amendments with whomever holds office; whether it be at the municipal, provincial or federal levels of government. 

If you also choose to engage politically, below are what Scriptures teach us and a three helpful guidelines. Outside of participating in our democracy, which includes voting in municipal, provincial, or federal elections, we do encourage personal and prophetic political engagement.

Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction.  (2 Tim. 4:2)

It is reasonable, fair and appropriate to disagree with comments from others, including our political leaders. This includes disagreement regarding policies, bills, laws, worldviews, and visional direction for cities, provinces, and our country. Expressing deep concern can be a way to show care. However, deep concern can also quickly turn towards ugliness, threats, insults, or slurs which are never effective, nor the way of the gospel.

We are called to live out the fullness of Scripture – which has much to say about how we communicate, and our responsibility as followers of Jesus in this regard. Our words matter. What we engage is vital; how also affects our testimony. The aim is not people-pleasing as it is not often possible. What is possible is to be clear and charitable. Never easy, but worth caring about. We are greatful the Scriptures give us guidance in how to be both clear while remaining charitable.

The Bible tells us, as ambassadors of Jesus:

a) We shouldn’t let any unwholesome talk come out of our mouths, but only speak what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (Eph. 4:29)

b) That we should be humble and gentle. (Eph. 4:2)

c) That we are to be subject to rulers and authorities and not to slander anyone, but to be peaceable, considerate and gentle (Titus 3:1-2).

d) Finally, it also instructs us to let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. (Colossians 4: 6)

• Pray prior to engagement. Ask the Lord for His heart towards both the policy/person with whom you are engaging.

• Engage respectfully and with understanding. You do not have to become an expert on everything, but a clear understanding of what you are engaging is essential. Respectful engagement includes online as well as in person. Do not demonize others with whom you disagree, even if you hold passionate disagreement. Remember how we communicate publicly matters.

• Keep your hope rooted in Jesus. Whether your engagement leads to change, conversations, or it fails, God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He reigns. In everything keep your hope anchored in Jesus. His love alone never fails.