​Statement on Gender, Marriage, and Sexuality
We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God. (Gen 1:26-27.) Rejection of one’s biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person.
 
SHEEP believes that every person is created in the image of God, that human sexuality reflects that image in terms of intimate love, communication, fellowship, subordination of the self to the larger whole, and fulfillment. God’s Word makes use of the marriage relationship as the supreme metaphor for His relationship with His covenant people and for revealing the truth that that relationship is of one God with one people. Therefore God’s plan for human sexuality is that it is to be expressed only in a monogamous lifelong relationship between one man and one woman within the framework of marriage This is the only relationship that is divinely designed for the birth and rearing of children and is a union made in the sight of God, taking priority over every other human relationship. This is validated by Gen. 1:27–28; 2:18, 20, 23–24; Isa. 54:4–8; 62:5b; Jer. 3:14; Ezek. 16; Hosea 2; Mal. 2:14; Matt. 19:4–6; Mark 10:9; John 2:1–2, 11; 1 Cor. 9:5; Eph. 5:23–32; 1 Tim. 5:14; Heb. 13:4; and Rev. 19:7–8.
 
We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage. We believe that any form of sexual immorality (including adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, and use of pornography) is sinful and offensive to God. (Matt 15:18-20; 1 Cor 6:9-10.)
 
We believe that in order to preserve the function and integrity of SHEEP as a Christian ministry, and to provide a biblical role model to the SHEEP families, it is imperative that all persons employed by SHEEP in any capacity, or who serve as contractors or volunteers, agree to and abide by this Statement on Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality. All who attend SHEEP must agree to this statement as well. (Matt 5:16; Phil 2:14-16; 1 Thess. 5:22.)