Getting Started
We try not to complicate faith by getting caught up in the weeds of theological statements, litmus test issues and popular hot button issues. With that in mind, we do have core beliefs and those foundational beliefs inform our faith and the practice of it. We choose to use The Apostles' Creed (a basic statement of Christian faith used by Christians for `1,600 years) as a good source for anchoring, building and communicating what we believe. This statement of faith is built upon the witness of people of faith over thousands of years through scripture, songs, testimony and shared experience. Take your time and read over these core beliefs and feel free to be in touch with any questions you might have.
We believe in God the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth,
Our faith begins with the first person of the Trinity, God Almighty, the Father and Creator of all. God is above all and stands as the ultimate authority in all things and yet God has chosen to offer all creation love and grace, blessing and abundance.
We believe in Jesus Christ, his only son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, who suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried, descended into hell, rose again from the dead on the third day, ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty, who will come again to judge the living and the dead.
This second part of The Apostles' Creed is about Jesus, the second person of the Trinity. Jesus is not only the messiah but also our Lord and Savior. In addition to Jesus' identity, his life, death and resurrection reveals his purpose to save all of creation and ultimately to return as judge of all humanity. We take seriously Jesus identity as both fully human and fully God. We believe he actually lived, taught and was put to death by Rome and the religious leaders of his time. His actual resurrection from the dead proved his claims and stands as a foretaste of what is to come for all who place their faith in him.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
This final section of The Apostles' Creed affirms the Holy Spirit, the Church (all over the world, as it has, does and will exist throughout all time) and the core of the good news that Christians believe and freely have to offer to all people. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity and serves to empower, inspire and mobilize followers of God throughout space and time. We see the Church as the body of Christ empowered by his Spirit tasked with offering hope and good news to a hurting and broken world. Ultimately community, forgiveness and true life without end, stand at the heart of the gospel (good news) and we believe we are given the privilege and responsibility to share that good news with all people.