What We Believe
We believe that the Scripture (the Holy Bible) came to us through the inspiration of God. For many generations God has used it to reveal himself to the human family. We believe that the Bible tells the story of God’s relationship with human beings.
The story begins with the creation of all things. God, who has always existed in communal relationship with himself –Father, Son and Holy Spirit– is the creator, and everything he created was good. Human beings were created in the image of God and his intention was for people to live in relational communion with him and one another. Satan, the enemy of God and humanity, tempted human beings to rebel against their creator and sin entered the world. Consequently, our relationship with God, with others, with creation and with ourselves was broken. All of creation now longs to be redeemed.
We believe that God did not give up on his creation. He chose to invite one man, Abraham, to follow him. Through him and his descendents God would reveal himself to all the nations of the world. Israel was to be a kingdom of priests, a holy nation, a light to the Gentiles. In time the nation was enslaved in Egypt but God delivered them and led them to Mount Sinai where he renewed his covenant with them and gave them a special identity through the law of Israel. God brought the nation of Israel to the Promised Land where they were to live out their calling.
Over time the nation repeatedly rebelled against God. Instead of living out their missional calling, they worshiped the gods of neighboring nations. Instead of caring for the poor they ignored or mistreated them. Instead of seeking justice for the oppressed they were often the oppressors. Prophets revealed God’s heart for the poor and marginalized, but Israel ignored their invitation to repent and embrace God’s purposes.
In their rebellion they were sent into exile under the Assyrian and Babylonian empires. There they remembered God’s vision for the world and longed for a time when God would bring redemption.
We believe that redemption came through Jesus the Messiah. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin, God in the flesh. He came announcing the new arrival of the kingdom of God. He preached good news to the poor, healing for the brokenhearted and freedom for captives. In short, he offered restoration for a broken world. He was rejected by the religious establishment and the oppressive empire of Rome. Consequently, he was executed by crucifixion.
We believe that mysteriously, through his suffering, crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection, Jesus has brought healing and forgiveness to all creation. He is the only one who has brought reconciliation between God and human beings. Those who trust him live in peace and harmony with one another, their creator and his creation. The Spirit of God lives within those who trust Jesus. Those who follow the way of Jesus are called the church. They live out their relationship with Jesus Christ through Baptism, the practice of spiritual disciplines and the ritual celebration of the Lord’s Supper. The church is empowered by God’s Spirit to share the way of Jesus with others through missional living. We seek to embody the resurrected Christ through love, peace, sacrificial service and generous giving.
We believe that Jesus will return to judge the world. He will bring final justice and restoration to God’s creation. God will live with human beings and we will enjoy a completely renewed creation; a new heaven and a new earth. God will wipe away all tears and there will be no more death, or mourning, or pain. In that day the old order of things will pass away. Peace will reign, evil and injustice will cease and all things will be made new.
We believe that we are called to live out this new reality now. We believe that we are called to share this new reality with others.
The story begins with the creation of all things. God, who has always existed in communal relationship with himself –Father, Son and Holy Spirit– is the creator, and everything he created was good. Human beings were created in the image of God and his intention was for people to live in relational communion with him and one another. Satan, the enemy of God and humanity, tempted human beings to rebel against their creator and sin entered the world. Consequently, our relationship with God, with others, with creation and with ourselves was broken. All of creation now longs to be redeemed.
We believe that God did not give up on his creation. He chose to invite one man, Abraham, to follow him. Through him and his descendents God would reveal himself to all the nations of the world. Israel was to be a kingdom of priests, a holy nation, a light to the Gentiles. In time the nation was enslaved in Egypt but God delivered them and led them to Mount Sinai where he renewed his covenant with them and gave them a special identity through the law of Israel. God brought the nation of Israel to the Promised Land where they were to live out their calling.
Over time the nation repeatedly rebelled against God. Instead of living out their missional calling, they worshiped the gods of neighboring nations. Instead of caring for the poor they ignored or mistreated them. Instead of seeking justice for the oppressed they were often the oppressors. Prophets revealed God’s heart for the poor and marginalized, but Israel ignored their invitation to repent and embrace God’s purposes.
In their rebellion they were sent into exile under the Assyrian and Babylonian empires. There they remembered God’s vision for the world and longed for a time when God would bring redemption.
We believe that redemption came through Jesus the Messiah. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin, God in the flesh. He came announcing the new arrival of the kingdom of God. He preached good news to the poor, healing for the brokenhearted and freedom for captives. In short, he offered restoration for a broken world. He was rejected by the religious establishment and the oppressive empire of Rome. Consequently, he was executed by crucifixion.
We believe that mysteriously, through his suffering, crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection, Jesus has brought healing and forgiveness to all creation. He is the only one who has brought reconciliation between God and human beings. Those who trust him live in peace and harmony with one another, their creator and his creation. The Spirit of God lives within those who trust Jesus. Those who follow the way of Jesus are called the church. They live out their relationship with Jesus Christ through Baptism, the practice of spiritual disciplines and the ritual celebration of the Lord’s Supper. The church is empowered by God’s Spirit to share the way of Jesus with others through missional living. We seek to embody the resurrected Christ through love, peace, sacrificial service and generous giving.
We believe that Jesus will return to judge the world. He will bring final justice and restoration to God’s creation. God will live with human beings and we will enjoy a completely renewed creation; a new heaven and a new earth. God will wipe away all tears and there will be no more death, or mourning, or pain. In that day the old order of things will pass away. Peace will reign, evil and injustice will cease and all things will be made new.
We believe that we are called to live out this new reality now. We believe that we are called to share this new reality with others.
