Please read the Christian Family Care Guiding Principles and Religious Belief Statements and click NEXT at the end to return to the Intern Onboarding page. You may also download a copy HERE.
CFC (Christian Family Care) Statement of Faith
- We believe the Bible alone (the 66 books of the Old and New Testament) to be the inspired, authoritative word of God, without error in the original manuscripts (2 Timothy 3:15; 2 Peter 1:21).
- We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Genesis 1:1; Matthew 28:19; John 10:30).
- We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ (John 10:33), in His virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:35), in His sinless life (Hebrews 4:15; 7:26), in His miracles (John 2:11), in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood (1 Cor. 15:3; Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 2:9), in His bodily resurrection (John 11:25; 1 Corinthians 15:4), in His ascension to the right hand of the Father (Mark 16:19), and in His personal return in power and glory (Acts 1:11; Revelation 19:11).
- We believe that all human beings are lost and sinful by nature. For their salvation, regeneration by the Holy Spirit, and (for all who have the mental capacity) personal faith in Jesus Christ are absolutely essential. Justification is by faith alone, in Christ alone, and is not based on any human works or doctrine (John 3:16-19; 5:24, Romans 3:23; 5:8-9, Ephesians 2:8-10, Titus 3:5).
- We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life (Romans 8:13-14, 1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19-20, Ephesians 4:30; 5:18).
- We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ. The true Church is the body of Christ of which He is the head (John 17:23, Ephesians 1:10; 4:11-13, Galatians 3:26-28, 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, Romans 8:9).
- We believe in the resurrection of the saved unto eternal life and the lost unto eternal condemnation
(Matthew 25:31-46, John 5:28-29).
Code of Christian Conduct
Christian Family Care is a community of believers who have joined together to strengthen families and serve at-risk children in the name of Jesus Christ. Our organization requires behavior consistent with the Holy Scriptures. Consequently, when joining Christian Family Care, paid or volunteer staff or associated caregiver (defined as any person in partnership with Christian Family Care that represents the mission of Christian Family Care such as a foster parent, adoptive parent, host family, mentor, etc.) freely and willingly agree to the standards of behavior outlined in this policy. The standards included in this policy are not exhaustive; rather, they provide a guideline of conduct we believe is in accordance with biblical standards. As representatives of Christian Family Care, it is imperative that our actions are above reproach in all things. Consequently, the following standards of conduct shall apply to all employees, volunteers, and associated caregivers. Violations of these standards are regarded as a serious breach of integrity and could result in discipline, up to and including termination (or in the case of foster parents, transfer of license).
God’s Word teaches us that certain attributes are desired, including love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-24). These attributes are
to be sought, encouraged, and demonstrated in our relationships. Scripture teaches there is absolute equality in value and dignity regardless of gender, race, or social status (Gal 3:28; Col 3:11).
Scripture further teaches us that certain behaviors should be avoided, including theft, lying, dishonesty, gossip, slander, backbiting, profanity, vulgarity, drunkenness, and immodesty of dress (Galatians 5:20-21), and sexual sins including promiscuity, adultery, premarital sex, use or distribution of pornography, homosexual behavior, or any sexual immorality (Leviticus 20:13, Galatians 5:19), inconsistent with CFC (Christian Family Care) Statement of Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES AND RELIGIOUS BELIEF STATEMENTS
Occasionally, loving confrontation may be necessary when an employee, volunteer, or associated caregiver is in violation of scriptural norms. Our purpose in such a confrontation is not to condemn but “to present everyone complete in Christ” (Col. 1:28). We approach each situation with caution and humility, realizing that each of us is subject to the same temptations (Gal. 6:1). However, when the conduct is believed to be in violation of the standards of Scripture or could compromise Christian Family Care’s reputation or its ministry, Christian Family Care may initiate disciplinary action up to and including termination (or in the case of foster parents, transfer of license).
Statement on Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality
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 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 Christian Family Care as the local Body of Christ, and to provide a biblical role model to the community, it is imperative that all persons employed by Christian Family Care in any capacity, or who serve as volunteers, or associated caregivers 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 Christian Family Care.
Statement on the Sanctity of Human Life
We believe that all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born 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.
Statement on Natural Family and Raising Children
The following Statement on Natural Family and the Raising of Children is reflective of our concern that the disintegration of the family is fracturing the moral and social well-being of America, is increasing the burden of government to raise children; and our sincere religious belief that God intended the natural family to be the foundational social unit for the well-being of children and society. We further believe that, as Christians, we have a religious obligation to, whenever possible, place children in families that reflect God’s intention. This statement reflects our firm religious beliefs that the way to a vibrant and healthy society for all peoples is to recognize our individual and corporate frailties; be people who give and accept the gift of God’s grace; and adopt in acts of obedience the moral guiding principles of Christianity and the Bible. This Statement should be read in context with our Statement of Faith and Code of Conduct
We believe that the Bible teaches that the family is of divine origin and purpose. As a result, our hope is for every child to be loved and nurtured in a Christ-centered family.
We believe the natural family first established when God made a man and woman, unites them as “one flesh” in a lifelong covenant of marriage and blesses them with the exhortation to “be fruitful and multiply” is intended as the foundational social unit, inscribed by God, for the well-being of society (Genesis 1:27-28; 2:23-24).
We believe that the natural family was designed by God to be the very best and most important social structure for satisfying the longings of the human heart to give and receive love; welcoming and ensuring the full physical and emotional development of children; sharing a home that serves as the center for social, educational, economic, and spiritual life; building strong bonds among generations to pass on a way of life that has transcendent meaning; and extending a hand of compassion to individuals and households whose circumstances fall short of these ideals. (Genesis 2; Song of Solomon, Ephesians 5:28-29; Deuteronomy 11:19; Proverbs 22:6; Psalm 127:3; 1Timothy 5:8)
We believe, as Christians, we serve a God who is full of grace and rich in mercy. God’s Word teaches us to look after the orphans and widows in their distress (James 1:27) and to serve those who are considered the “least of these” (Matthew 25:40) – the abused, abandoned, and neglected children and their distressed families. Many children are growing up with added challenges because of the absence of a married father and mother in their lives. Healthy Christian natural families must reach out to serve these children and families with unconditional love and guidance – not only to prevent children from following in their parents’ footsteps, but most importantly, to help point them toward God, the Father who will always be there for them (Mark 10:13-16, 43-45; Matthew 18:2-6, 14).
Because we believe that God desires us to make every effort to place children in homes where they will be loved and nurtured in Christ-centered families our preference is always to place children in foster and adoptive homes of married couples, where a mother and father who are married (as defined in the Statement on Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality) can work together to properly teach, train, discipline, and provide a worthy example for living (Deuteronomy 6:6-7; Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 6:4; 2 Timothy 1:5; 2 Chronicles 26:3-4).
Although we believe that God’s ideal design is for children to be raised in two-parent families, we also believe that God commands all Christians to serve at-risk children and families. Therefore, we will sometimes, when no two-parent family is available, or when the abuse suffered by a child requires a single-parent, recommend children be placed in single-parent families where the parent accepts their biological sex and whose life exemplifies Christian moral conduct. In no circumstances, however, will we knowingly place children with one whose lifestyle does not exemplify Christian moral conduct, because we believe that our doing so would be offensive to God.
In the case of foster care, when the placement of children is outside the authority of Christian Family Care, we will advocate for the placement of children in two-parent married couples, where a mother and father who are married (as defined in the Statement of Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality), accept their biological sex and whose lives exemplify Christian moral conduct. If the State of Arizona chooses to place in a single-foster parent home, we will advocate that a single-foster parent has a consistent relational support structure around the foster child that includes a two-parent married family.
Statement of Final Authority for Matters of Faith and Conduct
The CFC Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of humanity, is the sole and final source of all that we believe in. For purposes of Christian Family Care’s faith, doctrine, practice, policy, and discipline, our Board of Directors is Christian Family Care’s final interpretive authority on the Bible’s meaning and application.