Deputies to the convention of the Diocese of Florida, meeting Jan. 25-27 in Jacksonville, clarified their interpretation of marriage and restated their commitment to the biblical tithe principle.

The text of a successful resolution titled the Sanctity of Christian Marriage noted that some have expressed confusion in the church's interpretation of marriage following passage of Resolution D039 at General Convention last summer in Denver.

"Some have construed the words of D039 to be tacit acceptance of non-marital homosexual and heterosexual relationships," the text said. The Jacksonville convention affirmed the Book of Common Prayer statement that "Christian marriage is a solemn and public covenant between a man and a woman in the presence of God," and added "...we prayerfully and pastorally support all individuals who seek to follow Jesus in the context of his church. We do not, however, affirm, bless or encourage any relationship other than marriage that includes sexual intimacy."

In addition to clarifying a diocesan understanding of marriage, convention also restated its commitment to the biblical tithe principle as the minimum level of support for ministries that are shared in common. Commitment to the tithe principle was the bedrock foundation for a series of goals known collectively as a Stewardship of Excellence. The Rt. Rev. Stephen Jecko, diocesan bishop, described those goals in detail during his address.

"At a minimum, individuals are expected to tithe to their congregation, congregations are expected to tithe to diocesan common ministries, and the common ministry budget tithes to common ministries of the General Convention," Bishop Jecko said.