An Affirmation - We are a Pilgrim People
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
We proclaim Jesus Christ, the crucified and risen One,
confessing him as Lord to the glory of God the Father.
In the fellowship of the Holy Spirit,
we acclaim Jesus as the Lord of the Church,
the Head over all things, the beginning of a new creation.
We acknowledge that we live and work
between the time of Christ’s death and resurrection
and the final consummation of all things which he will bring.
We are a pilgrim people,
always on the way towards a promised goal;
on the way Christ feeds us with word and sacraments,
and we have the gift of the Spirit
in order that we may not lose the way.
We will live and work within the faith and unity
of the one holy catholic and apostolic Church,
bearing witness to that unity which is both Christ’s gift and his will.
We affirm that every member of the Church
is engaged to confess the faith of Christ crucified.
Together with all the people of God,
we will serve the world for which Christ died.
And we await with hope the day of the Lord Jesus.
Adapted from the Basis of Union of the Uniting Church in Australia
from Uniting in Worship 2
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
We proclaim Jesus Christ, the crucified and risen One,
confessing him as Lord to the glory of God the Father.
In the fellowship of the Holy Spirit,
we acclaim Jesus as the Lord of the Church,
the Head over all things, the beginning of a new creation.
We acknowledge that we live and work
between the time of Christ’s death and resurrection
and the final consummation of all things which he will bring.
We are a pilgrim people,
always on the way towards a promised goal;
on the way Christ feeds us with word and sacraments,
and we have the gift of the Spirit
in order that we may not lose the way.
We will live and work within the faith and unity
of the one holy catholic and apostolic Church,
bearing witness to that unity which is both Christ’s gift and his will.
We affirm that every member of the Church
is engaged to confess the faith of Christ crucified.
Together with all the people of God,
we will serve the world for which Christ died.
And we await with hope the day of the Lord Jesus.
Adapted from the Basis of Union of the Uniting Church in Australia
from Uniting in Worship 2
A further statement drawn from the Basis of Union
We believe in God,
sovereign in grace and love,
maker of all things.
We believe in Jesus Christ,
the eternal Word of God,
the firstborn of a new creation.
We believe in God’s eternal Spirit,
pledge and foretaste of the future,
given that we may not lose the way,
who has endowed us with a diversity of gifts.
We are a pilgrim people
on the way to the promised goal.
On this way,
we are called to live and work within the faith and unity
of the one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
In this unity,
we offer our worship, witness and service
and receive one another in love and joy.
We are being led to the free obedience
of the children of God,
and so we look with yearning and hope
to the final reconciliation of humanity with God,
and the renewal of all creation.
Alleluia. Amen.
sovereign in grace and love,
maker of all things.
We believe in Jesus Christ,
the eternal Word of God,
the firstborn of a new creation.
We believe in God’s eternal Spirit,
pledge and foretaste of the future,
given that we may not lose the way,
who has endowed us with a diversity of gifts.
We are a pilgrim people
on the way to the promised goal.
On this way,
we are called to live and work within the faith and unity
of the one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
In this unity,
we offer our worship, witness and service
and receive one another in love and joy.
We are being led to the free obedience
of the children of God,
and so we look with yearning and hope
to the final reconciliation of humanity with God,
and the renewal of all creation.
Alleluia. Amen.
A New Creed
We are not alone,
we live in God's world.
We believe in God:
who has created and is creating,
who has come in Jesus,
the Word made flesh,
to reconcile and make new,
who works in us and others by the Spirit.
We trust in God.
We are called to be the Church:
to celebrate God's presence,
to live with respect in Creation,
to love and serve others,
to seek justice and resist evil,
to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen,
our judge and our hope.
In life, in death, in life beyond death,
God is with us.
We are not alone.
Thanks be to God.
United Church of Canada, http://www.united-church.ca/beliefs/creed
we live in God's world.
We believe in God:
who has created and is creating,
who has come in Jesus,
the Word made flesh,
to reconcile and make new,
who works in us and others by the Spirit.
We trust in God.
We are called to be the Church:
to celebrate God's presence,
to live with respect in Creation,
to love and serve others,
to seek justice and resist evil,
to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen,
our judge and our hope.
In life, in death, in life beyond death,
God is with us.
We are not alone.
Thanks be to God.
United Church of Canada, http://www.united-church.ca/beliefs/creed
An Affirmation of Faith from Aotearoa
Christ Jesus,
Child of Mary, God with us,
King and Suffering Servant,
High Priest and Lamb of God,
Teacher and Word,
living, suffering, dying and rising again,
you challenge, redeem and restore us.
Holy Spirit,
Breath of life,
Counsellor and Comforter,
Fire of God,
you inspire, sustain, and purify us.
Forming us in the nature of Christ,
transforming us with your gifts,
you bind us together in one body, your church.
God of all creation,
made known to us in Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit,
your boundless love exposes our rebellion and greed.
A mother who will not abandon her child,
a father who welcomes the prodigal home,
you forgive, accept and embrace us
and call us into loving communion for ever.
In life and death we belong to you,
everlasting God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
(Adopted by 1993 General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand)
Child of Mary, God with us,
King and Suffering Servant,
High Priest and Lamb of God,
Teacher and Word,
living, suffering, dying and rising again,
you challenge, redeem and restore us.
Holy Spirit,
Breath of life,
Counsellor and Comforter,
Fire of God,
you inspire, sustain, and purify us.
Forming us in the nature of Christ,
transforming us with your gifts,
you bind us together in one body, your church.
God of all creation,
made known to us in Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit,
your boundless love exposes our rebellion and greed.
A mother who will not abandon her child,
a father who welcomes the prodigal home,
you forgive, accept and embrace us
and call us into loving communion for ever.
In life and death we belong to you,
everlasting God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
(Adopted by 1993 General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand)
An Affirmation of Christian Unity
We believe in God the creator,
who is always creative
and invites us to affirm and explore who we are,
with all our differences;
and who is the source of our faith.
We believe in God the Saviour
revealed in the world as Jesus the Christ
who died and is risen,
the one Lord of the church.
We believe in God the Reconciler,
the Holy Spirit,
who is always with us bearing witness with our spirits
that we are the children of God.
We believe that our smallness
can never diminish God’s vastness;
that our frailties can never overcome
God’s will for wholeness;
that our sin can never crush God’s power for new life
even in the face of death.
We believe, and in this belief, we need one another,
as a choir needs every voice and every part
for the harmony to be complete.
We believe - that in the Holy Spirit,
in Jesus Christ and in the love of God -
we are one!
We believe -
And may our lives reflect our belief.
Ian Tozer (1997 UCA Assembly)
who is always creative
and invites us to affirm and explore who we are,
with all our differences;
and who is the source of our faith.
We believe in God the Saviour
revealed in the world as Jesus the Christ
who died and is risen,
the one Lord of the church.
We believe in God the Reconciler,
the Holy Spirit,
who is always with us bearing witness with our spirits
that we are the children of God.
We believe that our smallness
can never diminish God’s vastness;
that our frailties can never overcome
God’s will for wholeness;
that our sin can never crush God’s power for new life
even in the face of death.
We believe, and in this belief, we need one another,
as a choir needs every voice and every part
for the harmony to be complete.
We believe - that in the Holy Spirit,
in Jesus Christ and in the love of God -
we are one!
We believe -
And may our lives reflect our belief.
Ian Tozer (1997 UCA Assembly)
Your kingdom come | Social Justice Affirmation
We believe in God, creator of the world and of all people;
and in Jesus Christ, incarnate among us, who died and rose again;
and in the Holy Spirit, present with us to guide, strengthen, and comfort.
We believe. Lord, help our unbelief.
We rejoice in every sign of God’s kingdom:
in the upholding of human dignity and community;
in every expression of love, justice, and reconciliation;
in each act of self-giving on behalf of others;
in the abundance of God’s gifts
entrusted to us that all may have enough;
in all responsible use of the earth’s resources.
Glory to God in the highest, and peace to God’s people on earth.
We confess our sin, individual and collective,
by silence or action:
through the violation of human dignity
based on race, class, age, sex, nation, or faith;
through the exploitation of people
by greed and indifference;
through the misuse of power
in personal, communal, national, and international life;
through the search for security
by military and economic forces
that threaten human existence:
through the abuse of technology
which endangers the earth and all life upon it.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
We commit ourselves individually and as a community
to the way of Christ;
to take up the cross;
to seek abundant life for all humanity;
to struggle for peace with justice and freedom;
to risk ourselves in faith, hope, and love,
praying that God’s kingdom may come.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.
15th World Methodist Council, Nairobi, Kenya, 1986
and in Jesus Christ, incarnate among us, who died and rose again;
and in the Holy Spirit, present with us to guide, strengthen, and comfort.
We believe. Lord, help our unbelief.
We rejoice in every sign of God’s kingdom:
in the upholding of human dignity and community;
in every expression of love, justice, and reconciliation;
in each act of self-giving on behalf of others;
in the abundance of God’s gifts
entrusted to us that all may have enough;
in all responsible use of the earth’s resources.
Glory to God in the highest, and peace to God’s people on earth.
We confess our sin, individual and collective,
by silence or action:
through the violation of human dignity
based on race, class, age, sex, nation, or faith;
through the exploitation of people
by greed and indifference;
through the misuse of power
in personal, communal, national, and international life;
through the search for security
by military and economic forces
that threaten human existence:
through the abuse of technology
which endangers the earth and all life upon it.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
We commit ourselves individually and as a community
to the way of Christ;
to take up the cross;
to seek abundant life for all humanity;
to struggle for peace with justice and freedom;
to risk ourselves in faith, hope, and love,
praying that God’s kingdom may come.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.
15th World Methodist Council, Nairobi, Kenya, 1986
The ‘Mustard Bush’ statement of faith
We believe in God,
holy Source of all that is.
We believe in God,
who has spoken the eternal Word in Jesus Christ.
We believe in God,
ceaselessly breathing the Spirit into creation.
We trust in God’s love and wisdom:
fully revealed in the humanity of Jesus Christ,
present to us through the Spirit’s working
in the Church and beyond.
We believe that God is calling the whole creation
into a future of justice and peace.
We share in Christ’s risen life,
and commit ourselves today to receive
the coming reign of God.
To the only God, Three yet One,
be all honour and glory and praise
now and for ever. Amen.
holy Source of all that is.
We believe in God,
who has spoken the eternal Word in Jesus Christ.
We believe in God,
ceaselessly breathing the Spirit into creation.
We trust in God’s love and wisdom:
fully revealed in the humanity of Jesus Christ,
present to us through the Spirit’s working
in the Church and beyond.
We believe that God is calling the whole creation
into a future of justice and peace.
We share in Christ’s risen life,
and commit ourselves today to receive
the coming reign of God.
To the only God, Three yet One,
be all honour and glory and praise
now and for ever. Amen.
A short statement of faith
We believe in God who created us,
who loves us and makes us whole.
We believe in Jesus Christ, God’s Son,
whose death and resurrection
is our salvation
and our example.
We believe in the Holy Spirit of God
who calls us to abundant life. Amen.
who loves us and makes us whole.
We believe in Jesus Christ, God’s Son,
whose death and resurrection
is our salvation
and our example.
We believe in the Holy Spirit of God
who calls us to abundant life. Amen.
The Jesus Creed
We have confidence in Jesus
who healed the sick, the blind, and the paralysed.
And even raised the dead.
He cast out evil powers
and confronted corrupt leaders.
He cleansed the temple.
He favoured the poor.
He turned water into wine,
walked on water, calmed storms.
He died for the sins of the world,
rose from the dead, and ascended to the Father,
sent the Holy Spirit.
We have confidence in Jesus
who taught in word and example,
sign and wonder.
He preached parables of the kingdom of God
on hillsides, from boats, in the temple, in homes,
at banquets and parties, along the road, on beaches, in towns,
by day and by night.
He taught the way of love for God and neighbour,
for stranger and enemy, for outcast and alien.
We have confidence in Jesus,
who called disciples, led them,
gave them new names and new purpose
and sent them out to preach good news.
He washed their feet as a servant.
He walked with them, ate with them,
called them friends,
rebuked them, encouraged them,
promised to leave and then return,
and promised to be with them always.
He taught them to pray.
He rose early to pray, stole away to desolate places,
fasted and faced agonising temptations,
wept in a garden,
and prayed, ‘Not my will but your will be done.’
He rejoiced, he sang, he feasted, he wept.
We have confidence in Jesus,
so we follow him, learn his ways,
seek to obey his teaching and live by his example.
We walk with him, walk in him, abide in him,
as a branch in a vine.
We have not seen him, but we love him.
His words are to us words of life eternal,
and to know him is to know the true and living God.
We do not see him now, but we have confidence in Jesus. Amen.
The Jesus Creed was first used at the Emergent Convention, Nashville, May 2004. © Brian McLaren
who healed the sick, the blind, and the paralysed.
And even raised the dead.
He cast out evil powers
and confronted corrupt leaders.
He cleansed the temple.
He favoured the poor.
He turned water into wine,
walked on water, calmed storms.
He died for the sins of the world,
rose from the dead, and ascended to the Father,
sent the Holy Spirit.
We have confidence in Jesus
who taught in word and example,
sign and wonder.
He preached parables of the kingdom of God
on hillsides, from boats, in the temple, in homes,
at banquets and parties, along the road, on beaches, in towns,
by day and by night.
He taught the way of love for God and neighbour,
for stranger and enemy, for outcast and alien.
We have confidence in Jesus,
who called disciples, led them,
gave them new names and new purpose
and sent them out to preach good news.
He washed their feet as a servant.
He walked with them, ate with them,
called them friends,
rebuked them, encouraged them,
promised to leave and then return,
and promised to be with them always.
He taught them to pray.
He rose early to pray, stole away to desolate places,
fasted and faced agonising temptations,
wept in a garden,
and prayed, ‘Not my will but your will be done.’
He rejoiced, he sang, he feasted, he wept.
We have confidence in Jesus,
so we follow him, learn his ways,
seek to obey his teaching and live by his example.
We walk with him, walk in him, abide in him,
as a branch in a vine.
We have not seen him, but we love him.
His words are to us words of life eternal,
and to know him is to know the true and living God.
We do not see him now, but we have confidence in Jesus. Amen.
The Jesus Creed was first used at the Emergent Convention, Nashville, May 2004. © Brian McLaren
A Trinitarian Creed
We believe in one God,
who gave birth to the cosmos and to us,
creating, out of nothing but God’s own will,
a world of rocks, plants and human longing;
whose eyes will not fail to cry for it all.
We believe in one God,
who redeems the waste of all things good,
weaving, from the griefs of our freedom,
new and unhoped-for things;
whose mercy will not fail to heal it all.
We believe in one God,
who lives among all people in all places,
calling us from our despair and sleep
to live out Easter in our generation;
whose love will not fail to hold us all.
Sophie Churchill, from 'Dare to Dream': A Prayer & Worship Anthology from Around the World.
who gave birth to the cosmos and to us,
creating, out of nothing but God’s own will,
a world of rocks, plants and human longing;
whose eyes will not fail to cry for it all.
We believe in one God,
who redeems the waste of all things good,
weaving, from the griefs of our freedom,
new and unhoped-for things;
whose mercy will not fail to heal it all.
We believe in one God,
who lives among all people in all places,
calling us from our despair and sleep
to live out Easter in our generation;
whose love will not fail to hold us all.
Sophie Churchill, from 'Dare to Dream': A Prayer & Worship Anthology from Around the World.
Affirmation of peace and justice (Indonesia)
All:
I believe in God, who is love and who has given the earth to all people.
I believe in Jesus Christ, who came to heal us, and to free us from all kinds of oppression.
I believe in the Spirit of God, who works in and through all who are turned towards the truth.
I believe in the community of faith, which is called to be at the service of all people.
I believe in God’s promise to finally destroy the power of sin in us all,
and to establish the kingdom of justice and peace for all people.
Group A:
I do not believe in the right of the strongest,
nor the force of arms,
nor the power of oppression.
Group B:
I believe in human rights,
in the solidarity of all people,
in the power of non-violence.
Group A:
I do not believe in racism, nor the power that comes from wealth and privilege,
or in any established order that enslaves.
Group B:
I believe that all men and women are equally human,
that order based on violence and injustice is not order.
Group A:
I do not believe that war and hunger are inevitable and peace unattainable.
Group B:
I believe in beauty and simplicity, in love with open hands, in peace on earth.
All:
I do not believe that suffering needs to be in vain, that death is the end,
that the disfigurement of the world is what God intended.
But I dare to believe, always and in spite of everything,
in God’s power to transform and transfigure,
fulfilling the promise of a new heaven and a new earth where justice and peace will flourish.
(adapted from a creed from Indonesia, in Dare to Dream: A Prayer & Worship Anthology from around the world)
I believe in God, who is love and who has given the earth to all people.
I believe in Jesus Christ, who came to heal us, and to free us from all kinds of oppression.
I believe in the Spirit of God, who works in and through all who are turned towards the truth.
I believe in the community of faith, which is called to be at the service of all people.
I believe in God’s promise to finally destroy the power of sin in us all,
and to establish the kingdom of justice and peace for all people.
Group A:
I do not believe in the right of the strongest,
nor the force of arms,
nor the power of oppression.
Group B:
I believe in human rights,
in the solidarity of all people,
in the power of non-violence.
Group A:
I do not believe in racism, nor the power that comes from wealth and privilege,
or in any established order that enslaves.
Group B:
I believe that all men and women are equally human,
that order based on violence and injustice is not order.
Group A:
I do not believe that war and hunger are inevitable and peace unattainable.
Group B:
I believe in beauty and simplicity, in love with open hands, in peace on earth.
All:
I do not believe that suffering needs to be in vain, that death is the end,
that the disfigurement of the world is what God intended.
But I dare to believe, always and in spite of everything,
in God’s power to transform and transfigure,
fulfilling the promise of a new heaven and a new earth where justice and peace will flourish.
(adapted from a creed from Indonesia, in Dare to Dream: A Prayer & Worship Anthology from around the world)
A South African statement of faith
We believe in one God who created all the world,
who will unite all things in Christ
and who wants all people to live together in one family.
We believe in God the Son who became human:
died and rose in triumph to reconcile all the world to God,
to break down every separating barrier of race, culture or class
and to unite all people into one body.
We believe in God the Spirit, the pledge of God’s coming reign
who gives the Church power to proclaim the good news to all the world,
to love and serve all people, to strive for justice and peace:
to warn that God judges both the individual and the nations;
and to summon all the world to accept God’s reign, here and now. Amen.
From One Great Sunday of Sharing, 2004, adapted from ‘Declaration of Faith’, Presbyterian Church, South Africa
who will unite all things in Christ
and who wants all people to live together in one family.
We believe in God the Son who became human:
died and rose in triumph to reconcile all the world to God,
to break down every separating barrier of race, culture or class
and to unite all people into one body.
We believe in God the Spirit, the pledge of God’s coming reign
who gives the Church power to proclaim the good news to all the world,
to love and serve all people, to strive for justice and peace:
to warn that God judges both the individual and the nations;
and to summon all the world to accept God’s reign, here and now. Amen.
From One Great Sunday of Sharing, 2004, adapted from ‘Declaration of Faith’, Presbyterian Church, South Africa
An African Creed
We believe in the one High God,
who out of love created the beautiful world and everything good in it.
God created people and wanted people to be happy in the world.
God loves the world and every nation and tribe on the earth.
We have known this High God in the darkness,
and now we know God in the light.
God promised in the book of the Word, in the Bible,
that God would save the world and all nations and tribes.
We believe that God made good this promise by sending the son, Jesus Christ,
a human in the flesh, a Jew by tribe, born poor in a little village,
who left his home and was always on safari doing good,
curing people by the power of God,
teaching about God and humanity,
showing that the meaning of religion is love.
He was rejected by his people,
tortured and nailed hands and feet to a cross, and died.
He was buried in the grave, but the hyenas did not touch him,
and on the third day, he rose from that grave.
He ascended to the skies.
He is the Lord.
We believe that all our sins are forgiven through him.
All who have faith in him must be sorry for their sins,
be baptized in the Holy Spirit of God,
live the rules of love,
and share the bread together in love,
to announce the good news to others
until Jesus comes again.
We are waiting for him.
He is alive. He lives.
This we believe. Amen.
The Maasai Creed, composed around 1960 by Western missionaries to the Maasai people. (adapted)
who out of love created the beautiful world and everything good in it.
God created people and wanted people to be happy in the world.
God loves the world and every nation and tribe on the earth.
We have known this High God in the darkness,
and now we know God in the light.
God promised in the book of the Word, in the Bible,
that God would save the world and all nations and tribes.
We believe that God made good this promise by sending the son, Jesus Christ,
a human in the flesh, a Jew by tribe, born poor in a little village,
who left his home and was always on safari doing good,
curing people by the power of God,
teaching about God and humanity,
showing that the meaning of religion is love.
He was rejected by his people,
tortured and nailed hands and feet to a cross, and died.
He was buried in the grave, but the hyenas did not touch him,
and on the third day, he rose from that grave.
He ascended to the skies.
He is the Lord.
We believe that all our sins are forgiven through him.
All who have faith in him must be sorry for their sins,
be baptized in the Holy Spirit of God,
live the rules of love,
and share the bread together in love,
to announce the good news to others
until Jesus comes again.
We are waiting for him.
He is alive. He lives.
This we believe. Amen.
The Maasai Creed, composed around 1960 by Western missionaries to the Maasai people. (adapted)
Creed used by Women in Theology group
O God, the source of our being and the goal of all our longing,
we believe and trust in you.
The whole earth is alive with your glory
and all that has life is sustained by you.
We commit ourselves to cherish your world and to seek your face.
O God, embodied in a human life,
we believe and trust in you.
Jesus our brother, born of the woman Mary,
you confronted the proud and the powerful,
and welcomed as your friends those of no account.
Holy Wisdom of God, firstborn of creation,
you emptied yourself of power,
and became foolishness for our sake.
You laboured with us upon the cross,
and have brought us forth to the hope of resurrection.
We commit ourselves to struggle against evil and to choose life.
O God, life-giving Spirit, Spirit of healing and comfort,
of integrity and truth, we believe and trust in you.
Warm-winged Spirit, brooding over creation,
rushing wind and Pentecostal fire,
we commit ourselves to work with you and renew our world.
Amen.
Used with permission © 2008 St. Augustine by-the-Sea
we believe and trust in you.
The whole earth is alive with your glory
and all that has life is sustained by you.
We commit ourselves to cherish your world and to seek your face.
O God, embodied in a human life,
we believe and trust in you.
Jesus our brother, born of the woman Mary,
you confronted the proud and the powerful,
and welcomed as your friends those of no account.
Holy Wisdom of God, firstborn of creation,
you emptied yourself of power,
and became foolishness for our sake.
You laboured with us upon the cross,
and have brought us forth to the hope of resurrection.
We commit ourselves to struggle against evil and to choose life.
O God, life-giving Spirit, Spirit of healing and comfort,
of integrity and truth, we believe and trust in you.
Warm-winged Spirit, brooding over creation,
rushing wind and Pentecostal fire,
we commit ourselves to work with you and renew our world.
Amen.
Used with permission © 2008 St. Augustine by-the-Sea
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