We, the members of the Philadelphia Church, believing the Bible to be the only inspired, infallible, and authoritative Word of God, must respond to the current AIDS crisis, ministering both spiritually and physically to all affected.
We believe that a personal relationship with Jesus Christ can deliver individuals from the power of sin and disease, and we believe that we must minister to all peoples, Christian and non-Christian, saint and sinner.
According to the most recent research published by the Institute of Medicine, National Academy of Sciences, and the American Red Cross, the AIDS virus spreads through infected persons to others by sexual intercourse, direct blood transfer, and intravenous drug use (IV). The virus can also be passed from infected mothers to their babies during pregnancy, at birth, or shortly after birth (probably through breast milk).
AIDS is caused by a virus that does not survive well outside the body. The virus is not spread by casual, nonsexual contact. This means you cannot catch AIDS from a simple kiss, hug, handshake, cough, or sneeze. Scientists have not found a single instance where the AIDS virus has been transmitted through ordinary nonsexual contact in a family, work, or social setting.
In light of this, we have instituted the following policies for our church.
AIDS education: Proper education can dispel fear, instill hope, and enhance ministry; therefore, we are committed to educating ourselves and our community regarding AIDS.
Premarriage testing: Because AIDS is transmitted sexually and because AIDS is passed on from mother to newborn infant, the pastors and counseling staff of the Philadelphia Church are advised to recommend that individuals coming from “high risk” backgrounds be required to take a test for AIDS and share those results with their prospective marital partners (i.e., pastors are authorized to require testing at their discretion).
Nursery: As is current policy, children with symptoms of illness are to remain with their adult guardians.
Because children from birth until toilet trained often share bottles and teething implements, those children in this category who have tested positive for the AIDS virus or antibodies are also to remain with their adult guardians, even though the likelihood of transmission is negligible. Older children testing positive are encouraged to participate fully in church activities.
Kitchen policy/Food preparation: All individuals who work directly with food preparation and serving must remove themselves from such tasks when there is physical evidence of illness or there are exposed lesions.
Individuals who test positive for the AIDS virus but do not evidence any symptoms of illness will be allowed to assist with food preparation and service.
Confidentiality: As in all personal matters, confidentiality will be maintained by all professional and lay members of the congregation.
Because of the unique nature of this disease, we must reaffirm our belief in celibacy outside heterosexual marriage, monogamy within marriage, and the honoring of the human body as the temple of the Holy Spirit.
Leadership Spring 1988 p. 98
Copyright © 1988 by the author or Christianity Today/Leadership Journal. Click here for reprint information on Leadership Journal.
