The marriage policy of St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, a member congregation of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, is and always has been consistent with the Synod’s beliefs on marriage.  We believe that marriage is a sacred union of one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24-25), and that God gave marriage as a picture of the relationship between Christ and His bride the Church (Ephesians 5:32).  The official position of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, as set forth in 1998 Res. 3-21 (“To Affirm the Sanctity of Marriage and to reject Same-Sex Unions”), is that homosexual unions come under categorical prohibition in the Old and New Testaments (Leviticus 18:22,24; 20:13; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; 1 Timothy 1:9-10) as contrary to the Creator’s design (Romans 1:26-27).  These positions and beliefs can be found on the LCMS website, along with other statements, papers and reports on the subject of homosexuality and same-sex civil unions and “marriage”.  Our pastors will not officiate over any marriages inconsistent with these beliefs, and our church property may not be used for any marriage ceremony, reception or other activity that would be inconsistent with our beliefs and this policy.