Forward Church Official Statement on LGBTQIA+ Issues and Gender Identity

At Forward Church, we are committed to upholding the truth of God’s Word while expressing His love and compassion for every individual. We believe that every person is intrinsically valuable—not because of what they do or feel, but because of the price Jesus paid for them. Our church affirms the biblical view of marriage as a covenant between one man and one woman and upholds the truth that God created two genders—male and female—as stated in Genesis. We do not define people by their behavior or experiences, but by their God-given identity and the redemptive purpose He offers through Christ.

When a family comes to us with a child or loved one struggling with gender identity, we respond with both truth and care. We affirm God's love for them and explain that thoughts, feelings, and desires—no matter how strong—do not determine a person’s identity or truth. There is a difference between what someone may be experiencing and what Scripture reveals as truth. We compassionately engage in conversation, asking thoughtful questions to understand their journey, and if they are open to help, we walk with them on a path of renewing their mind in the Word of God. For those who are believers in Christ, we help them put on their true identity in Him—one rooted not in confusion, but in clarity, peace, and righteousness.

At Forward Church, we do not condemn. We care, we listen, and we lead people toward the freedom found in Jesus. Our mission is to speak truth boldly and love deeply, offering hope and restoration to every person willing to walk in the truth of God’s design.

Our Perspective

At Forward Church, we are committed to sharing the truth of God's Word in love. As a Bible-based church, we believe in traditional biblical values concerning marriage, sexuality, and gender. We also believe in treating every individual with dignity, compassion, and respect—regardless of their background, behavior, or beliefs.

1. God’s Love for All People

We begin with this foundational truth: God loves everyone. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to deliver all of humanity from sin and death (John 3:16, Romans 5:8). No one is excluded from the reach of His grace, and we believe that every person is welcome to encounter the life-transforming power of Jesus.

2. Intrinsic Value and Identity

We believe every person has intrinsic value, not because of what they do, but because of the price that Jesus paid for them (1 Corinthians 6:20).

We do not define people by their behavior, struggles, or identities. We define them by the love of God and the redemptive purpose He has for their lives.

3. Biblical View of Sexuality and Gender

We hold to a biblical perspective regarding sexuality and gender:

  • Marriage is a covenant between one man and one woman, as established by God in Genesis 2:24 and affirmed by Jesus in Matthew 19:4–6.

  • Biology determines gender, and we affirm that God created only two genders: male and female, as stated in Genesis 1:27.

  • We do not support gender transitioning, especially in children, as we believe it conflicts with the design and intent God established in creation.

4. Our Posture Toward Families and Individuals

We recognize that families may face complex and difficult situations related to gender identity and sexual orientation. Our response is guided by both truth and love:

  • We commit to walking alongside families with compassion and biblical wisdom.

  • We offer support, discipleship, and pastoral care for those navigating these challenges.

  • We seek to create a space where people can encounter God's grace, hear the truth of Scripture, and be empowered to live in the freedom and identity God offers through Christ.

At Forward Church, we are not here to condemn—we are here to call people forward into truth, healing, and transformation in Jesus Christ. We speak truth boldly, and we love deeply, because both are essential to representing Christ well.

Our Response to Families Navigating Gender Identity Issues

When a family comes to us with a child or family member struggling with gender identity, we respond with clarity, compassion, and biblical conviction.

1. Affirming Foundational Truths

We begin by affirming the values above:

  • God loves and values this individual unconditionally.

  • Their worth is not based on their behavior but on the price Jesus paid for them.

  • God created them intentionally as either male or female.

  • Their true identity is found in who God says they are—not in what they feel or what culture affirms.

2. Helping Separate Feelings from Truth

We then help the family or individual understand this key principle:
Desires, thoughts, and feelings do not define truth.

There is a difference between reality (what we may experience) and truth (what God has spoken).

A person may feel, with great conviction, that they are a different gender or were born in the wrong body. We acknowledge that those feelings can be powerful—but they are not the ultimate authority on identity.
We lovingly communicate that God’s Word is truth, and truth sets us free (John 8:32).

3. Asking Thoughtful, Compassionate Questions

With care and sensitivity, we enter into a deeper conversation, asking questions such as:

  • When did you first start having these thoughts or feelings?

  • Was there a specific event or moment that seemed to trigger them?

  • Have you experienced anything in your private life—emotionally or relationally—that may have contributed to these feelings?

  • Have you been exposed to any media or content that is sexual or confusing in nature?

We ask not to shame or pry, but to lovingly understand the journey they’re walking through.

4. Offering a Path to Truth and Renewal

If the individual or family desires help, we offer a biblical path of healing and renewal. For those who believe in Christ, we walk with them as they put on their new identity in Christ, according to the truth of Scripture:

“...put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” — Ephesians 4:24

We help them renew their minds through the Word of God (Romans 12:2), and discover their God-given identity—one that brings peace, stability, and truth.

At Forward Church, our desire is not to fix people, but to help them encounter the love and truth of Jesus, and walk in the identity He created them to live in. We believe that walking in biblical truth leads to freedom, and we are committed to walking that journey with anyone who desires it—with grace, patience, and love.

If you or someone you love is navigating these questions, we are here for you.

Clint and Sara's Connection with Andrew Wommack Ministries and Charis Bible College

Clint and Sara's Connection with Andrew Wommack Ministries and Charis Bible College

Forward Church is just south of Atlanta in Sharpsburg, GA. We focus on the New Covenant finished work of Jesus. We closely align with Andrew Wommack. Our Pastor, Clint Byars is a regular guest speaker at Charis Bible College. If you're looking for a church that balances grace and faith, teaches you that you already have everything you need in Jesus, and builds you up in God's love, check us out.

What Is Baptism of the Holy Spirit?

What Is Baptism of the Holy Spirit?

The baptism in the Holy Spirit is an endowment of power. It makes it possible for us to minister in the power of God instead of our own intellectual power. Jesus set the example of how we should minister. All that Jesus did, He did by the power of the Holy Spirit. Although he was God incarnate, he had emptied Himself of all His power. He had to do all He did as a man, full of the Holy Spirit. In so doing, he was the perfect example of how we can live and minister. This is why He said in John 14:12, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.”

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"In Christ" Identity Passages to Meditate On

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Use these passages as a tool for renewing your mind to the truth that you are seated with Christ in Heavenly places. Personalize these passages. See yourself through your new identity in Christ. Meditate on each one until you not just believe them but also feel them. While we don't live by feelings, we don't really believe a truth that we don't feel. Use these passages to become convinced of and confident in your new creation reality. All Scriptures are from the Amplified Version.

Vision and Mission 2019

We are committed to changing the way people see God, that’s the big picture vision for us. We don’t have some private interpretation we want people to believe, we just want to help people look at Jesus to understand God. The way we help people change how they see God is by helping them establish a new covenant lens in matters of life and faith. The new covenant must be the foundation of our doctrine. The resurrection of Jesus Christ and what that means for the believer is so simple yet it is still misunderstood at large in today’s church.

This is why Forward exists, to help people understand God through Jesus, become established in his love and allow his grace to transform them. Grace is God’s divine influence in our hearts that will shape every aspect of our lives for the better if we will let him. And we let him by renewing our minds to our new creation identity in Christ. As we get our minds in alignment with our new spiritual identity, it will shape our earthly existence.

Understand the Different Types of Covenants

Understand the Different Types of Covenants

This is a foundational series for Forward Church. We base everything we teach and all of our ministries on the finished work of Jesus through his death, burial and resurrection. Understanding our New Creation identity in him is the driving force of our path of discipleship. Understanding the sufficiency of the sacrifice of Christ and the establishment of the New Covenant in the blood of Jesus is absolutely vital to a successful life of liberty in Christ. We pray this series is a blessing to you. You can read articles related to each message on Pastor Clint’s blog.