Statement of Faith

Belief and Unity

Knowing what we believe is important; our beliefs inform the way we live, the choices we make and how we view God. However, a faith rooted only in ‘believing the right things’ will not transform our hearts. Our lives must also be characterized by love and obedience; otherwise our beliefs are meaningless. Thus, a faith statement is one tool (among many) that helps us live lives characterized by love of God and others. Paul puts it this way, “And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.” (1 Cor. 13:13).

We understand that no person can fully understand the mystery and beauty of God, so we approach our statement of faith with humility and grace. As the Reformer Rupertus Meldenius wrote, “In the essentials we need unity, in the non-essentials we need freedom; but in all things we need love.” Love was Jesus’ highest value, and therefore, must be ours. Above all, we desire to be a community known by love and it is within this context that we express our statement of faith.

Our Statement of Faith

Our core beliefs are expressed in the Nicene Creed, written in the 4th century AD. This historic creed connects us with the long history of Christian faith, and we join with centuries of Christians in affirming these beliefs:

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made.

Who, for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets.

And I believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.