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A clear, theologically grounded statement of faith is one of the most important documents your ministry can have. It tells the world what you believe, why you exist, and how your convictions shape your work.
But in today’s cultural and legal environment, a general or vague statement of faith may not be enough, especially if it doesn’t speak directly to the issues most likely to lead to conflict.
Whether you’ve recently revised your statement of faith or it’s been collecting dust for 20 years, here are three topics you don’t want to leave out.
Your statement of faith should clearly affirm a biblical understanding of marriage as the exclusive union of one man and one woman. Marriage-related questions often show up in the context of employment policies, church membership, facility use requests, or even staff conduct.
Without clearly stating what your ministry believes about marriage, you may lack a consistent foundation to explain why you set certain boundaries or expectations. Including a brief, theologically rooted position helps ensure alignment and clarity across your organization.
Questions around sexuality and gender identity are at the center of our cultural moment. If your statement of faith is silent on these issues, it can create confusion for your staff, volunteers, and the people you serve.
Clarifying your ministry’s beliefs about God’s design for human identity — that we are created immutably male and female and in His image — helps ensure your practices align with your convictions.
This is especially important for ministries that manage school athletic programs, overnight camps, or housing accommodations like rescue missions, dormitories, and shelters. Whether you’re determining room assignments, staff policies, or student eligibility, a clearly stated belief about sexuality and identity gives your ministry a solid foundation to apply your values faithfully.
Your ministry may not focus directly on pro-life advocacy, but affirming the sanctity of human life is still essential for any Christian ministry. A clear statement that life begins at conception and is sacred through natural death helps anchor your policies in biblical conviction.
This becomes especially important when dealing with employee benefit plans, where ministries may face pressure to cover abortion or related procedures. Including this belief in your statement of faith strengthens your ability to align internal policies like hiring, benefits, and program decisions with your religious mission.
These aren’t distant issues. They’re the very places where churches and ministries are feeling cultural and legal pressure today. Whether it’s a biological male seeking accommodations at a women’s shelter, a same-sex couple asking to use your wedding facility, or pushback over abortion coverage in employee benefits, how you respond starts with what’s written in your statement of faith.
When your statement clearly addresses marriage, sexuality, and the sanctity of life, your ministry can move forward with confidence, grounded in a foundation that supports your decisions.
If your statement doesn't yet address these areas, now is the time to strengthen it.
Learn how ADF attorneys can help review your statement of faith through the ADF Church & Ministry Alliance membership program.
The Ninth Circuit recently affirmed a Christian ministry’s freedom to control the hiring of employees who perform vital religious functions.
