Philosophy of OneByOne
 
OneByOne firmly believes that Jesus, through his interactions with the woman caught in adultery (John 8), provided the Church with a model for responding to sexual sin. Imagine the scene: Jesus teaching in the temple courts, the audience listening intently with eager hearts. Suddenly, teachers of the law intrude upon their study. They drag in a woman, naked, whom they just caught in the act of adultery. Their question to Jesus is, "Do we stone her as the Law commands?"

Can you imagine? Naked, exposed in front of the religious leaders, strangers and friends alike and the Messiah Himself? Jesus' response was unexpected by all, and probably most of all by the woman. In silence, he began writing in the dirt. The Pharisees continued to badger him, demanding that he give a verdict. Finally, he spoke. "If any of you has never sinned, you may stone her." And, then he continued writing in the sand. I suspect that he was compiling a list, a long list of the sins, many of them sexual, that her accusers themselves had committed throughout their lives. None of them could condemn the woman. They all left in silence, until only Jesus and the woman were left. At this point, Jesus stood up, looked her in the eye and said, "If they do not condemn you, then neither do I. Go and sin no more."

The story speaks for itself. The Church is not called to condemn. The Church is not called to humiliate or shame. Neither is the Church to compromise Scriptural standards. The Church must respond with repentance and forgiveness for its own sins and the sins of others. The Church must continue to exhort its people to live holy lives. And, the Church must offer forgiveness and restoration to anyone, no matter how horrid we might consider the sin. Restoration is a free gift for all.

OneByOne affirms that sexuality is a precious gift from God expressed through both genders, male and female. The union of man and woman in marriage is God's plan for the family. God's gift of sexual intimacy between husband and wife is given for the purposes of pleasure, procreation and celebration of the oneness that reflects the mystery of Christ and the church.

OneByOne also recognizes the destructive consequences of the abuse of sexual intimacy including, but not limited to, fornication, incest, pornography, homosexuality, adultery and sexual immorality. However, we also affirm that the Gospel proclaims liberation from all sin, including sexual sin. In recognition of the sexual brokenness that exists within the church community and also in recognition of the redemptive power of Jesus Christ, we are committed to help equip the church to be a healing community, by proclaiming His transforming power and implementing Christ-centered ministries of restoration.

Finally, OneByOne recognizes that many churches today have a difficult time talking about homosexuality and other forms of sexual brokenness. These can be uncomfortable subjects, yet, historically the Church has responded to the issues within society. No one enters the church free from the sins of society. Sexual brokenness pervades our society. Therefore, we as the Body of Christ must give a redemptive response.