As our society's understanding of sexuality has been shifting away from biblical truth, we at Ravencrest Chalet believe that it is necessary to have an official policy statement on sexuality. This is not for the purpose of bringing condemnation to any individual who is struggling or has struggled with sexual immorality, but rather it is intended to protect our community as we operate and make decisions based on biblical truth rather than secular morals. We recognize that as human beings we all struggle with sin and shame, and our desire is that this would be a community where we can walk with each other in a manner that points one another towards the Lord's holiness, but that also encourages one another to receive the Lord's grace.
As a Christian community, Ravencrest Chalet teaches and expects that all faculty, staff, interns and students will serve as examples of God-honoring excellence. This Policy Statement has been adopted by the acting Board of Directors of Ravencrest Chalet with that basic principle in mind and to emphasize that all faculty, staff, interns and students will be held to a standard of exemplary conduct in the area of human sexuality consistent with biblical standards.
These standards and principles are set forth in Scripture and include:
1. We believe that God wonderfully and unchangeably creates each person as male or female*. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God. (Gen 1:26-27; Psalm 139:13-14)
*We acknowledge the intersex condition, which we consider distinct from gender reassignment
2. We believe that biblical marriage refers to the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture. (Gen 2:18-25; 1 Tim 3:2, 15-16) 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; 7:2-25; Heb 13:4; Rom 1:26-27)
3. We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of marriage between a man and a woman. We believe that any form of sexual immorality (including adultery, fornication, LGBTQ+ [lesbian, homosexual, bisexual, transsexual] conduct, bestiality, incest, and pornography) is sinful. (Matt 15:18-20; 1 Cor 6:9-10; Lev 18:6; Lev 18:22-23)
4. We believe that in order to preserve the function and integrity of Ravencrest Chalet as part of the local body of Christ, and to provide a biblical role model to the Ravencrest students, friends, and the community, it is imperative that all persons at Ravencrest Chalet in any capacity, or who serve as volunteers, agree to and abide by this Policy Statement on Sexuality. (Matt 5:16)
5. We believe that every person should be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity. (Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31) Hateful criticism and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are unacceptable and not in accord with Scripture nor the policy of Ravencrest Chalet. We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and repent of their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. (Acts 3:19-21; Rom 10:9-10; 1 Tim 1:15-16)
For all Ravencrest Chalet faculty, staff, interns, and students, sexual intimacy must only be expressed within the context of marriage between one man and one woman. Violations of this policy include but are not limited to: sexual relations between unmarried persons or persons of the same sex, adulterous relationships, bestiality, and pornography. Failure to comply with this policy will be evaluated, and can result in getting help and accountability, disciplinary action, or termination from Ravencrest Chalet, and we would seek to provide accountability in this area.
**We understand the pervasive impact pornography is currently having on many in our culture, and likely upon many who read this document. If this is something you struggle with, our staff is available to walk with and pray for you.
In signing this Policy Statement, I hereby agree to abide by the standards and principles stated above.