Resolution on Gender Identity and Transgenderism
We affirm the Triune God as Holy Love, the Creator who reveals His intended purposes for humanity through creation and Scripture. God created human beings in His image as male and female (Genesis 1:26–27), declaring this binary sexual design “very good” (Genesis 1:31). The human body is good, a temple of the Holy Spirit, and must be used to glorify God (1 Corinthians 6:19–20).
The Fall has corrupted every aspect of human nature, including perceptions of gender and sexuality, leading in some to gender dysphoria—a felt incongruence between biological sex and internal sense of gender. We recognize the complexity of such experiences are often intertwined with brokenness, abuse, shame, or other factors. We view all persons regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation with compassion, humility, and holy love (Galatians 6:2; 2 Timothy 2:24–26).
We deny that gender is merely a social construct or that adopting a transgender self-conception aligns with God’s purposes in creation and redemption. Biological sex is an essential, God-ordained reality, and men and women are called to live in accordance with their birth sex. Rare cases of intersex conditions (disorders of sexual development) do not negate this binary design. Such persons, too, are image-bearers to be supported toward wholeness in Christ.
Sexual intimacy is reserved for the covenant of marriage between one biological man and one biological woman, reflecting God’s faithfulness and intention to unite Christ and His church (Ephesians 5:31-32; Revelation 19:7-9). All sexual activity falling outside the biblical norm is contrary to God’s will and constitutes sin when willfully pursued. No person may maintain membership or take leadership in any form in the Church if appropriate counsel and admonition fail to bring about repentance and reformation.
We welcome all who experience gender dysphoria into the fellowship of the church as sinners redeemable by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Desires or temptations are not sin in themselves, but must be brought under the lordship of Christ. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, sanctification transforms disordered desires, enabling obedience and joyful discipleship—whether in biblical marriage or celibacy. Sexual fulfillment is not essential for human flourishing; ultimate joy is found in union with God.
We also oppose all laws, regulatory controls, or executive orders that force individual Christians, as well as Christian institutions and Christian-owned private businesses, to choose between being sanctioned for noncompliance and violating their own strongly held biblical principles and religious conscience. We affirm the right of churches and Christian institutions to maintain policies and practices consistent with our biblical understanding of human sexuality and gender, including the use of sex-based facilities, dress codes, pronouns, housing, sports, and leadership qualifications based on biological sex. We will support our members and institutions who, in good conscience, cannot comply with directives that violate Scripture, even when such noncompliance results in legal or financial penalties.
The Evangelical Methodist Church commits to:
-Loving all persons, regardless of their sense of gender identity, in Christ, working for
their physical well-being, their emotional healing, and their spiritual transformation.
Offering patient, informed pastoral care and accountable community to all who struggle.
-Supporting reversible, biblically-consistent, and non-harmful means of addressing
distress (such as counseling, prayer, or modest changes in appearance that remain
consistent with one’s biological sex), while firmly opposing irreversible medical
interventions, hormone therapies, surgeries, cross-dressing, or any form of cross-gender
presentation.
-Honoring biblical marriage while cultivating deep, same-sex friendships and genuine
belonging for all.
-Proclaiming that all can be saved, sanctified, and made whole in Christ, who redeems
every aspect of our sexuality (Romans 5:20; 1 Corinthians 6:9–11).
-Where cultural values and ideologies contradict the clear teaching of Scripture — our final
authority — we will humbly yet resolutely proclaim the transformative grace of our Lord Jesus