What We Believe, Teach & Confess
We accept the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the inspired living Word of God; the unchanging truth by which God’s faithful people live. (2 Timothy 3:16; 1 Peter 1:21)
We believe in the Holy Trinity: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28: 19)
We believe that God created all things, including man, holy and without sin. But man, of his own free will, fell into sin and thus brought sin upon the whole human race. (Genesis 1; Romans 5:12)
We believe that the punishment for sin is death, but God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son to redeem the world. (Romans 6:35; John 3:16)
We believe that Jesus Christ is true God, the eternal Son of the Father, that He died for our sins, that through Him alone we are forgiven, saved and made children of God, not by works but by grace. (John 1:1; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:8-9)
We believe in Holy Baptism as a means whereby God makes us his own apart from any merit or worthiness in us. (Titus 3:15; Matthew 28:19)
We believe in the Lord’s Supper as a means whereby God forgives our sins and strengthens our faith by giving us the true body and blood of the Lord Jesus (1 Corinthians 10:16; 1 Corinthians 11:26-28)
We are part of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod
For more information about the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod go to LCMS.org
STATEMENT OF BELIEF REGARDING MARRIAGE, GENDER, AND SEXUALITY and STATEMENT ON THE SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE
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.
We believe that the term marriage has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture (Gen. 2:18-25). We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other (1 Cor. 6:18; 7:2-5; Heb. 13:4). We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman.
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 to preserve the function and integrity of St. John Lutheran School as the local Body of Christ, and to provide a biblical role model to the St. John community, it is imperative that all persons employed by St. John Lutheran Church and School in any capacity agree to and abide by this Statement on Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality (Matt. 5:16; Phil. 2:14-16; 1 Thess. 5:22).
We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ (Acts 3:19-21; Rom. 10:9-10; 1 Cor. 6:9-11).
We believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity (Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31). Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with Scripture nor the doctrines of Redeemer.
We believe that all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Human life is of an estimable worth in all its dimensions, including preborn babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death. We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life.
Although St. John Lutheran School does not require parents or families to personally agree with St. John’s foundational statements of belief regarding marriage, gender, and sexuality, as well as, the sanctity of human life, St. John Lutheran School does require parents and families to agree that their children will be taught according to St. John’s foundational statements and avoid being vocally or openly in opposition to St. John’s foundational statements.
Parts taken from Protecting Your Ministry: A Legal Guide for LCMS Congregations, Schools, and Ministries