posted
Not sure if this is where this question belongs, but it bears some resemblance to leagalism for me. In our house church, about 1 year old, some are talking that we need to come with a statement of faith, how we worship, and a vision statement. Does anyone else have any of these? thanks
I would be very open to hearing such statements read and considered but would resist them as if they are meant to be binding upon the conscience of another. As you know, some personality types have the need to write down things, classify them, summarize, etc. This is ok as I believe that it's part of our humaness. You'll recall that Adam gave names to all the animals.
A creed is what we believe - written down or not. Some brethren would maintain that they have no creed yet usually have an "unspoken" creed that would fill a book. Lol.
Some brethren also maintain that for a person not to subscribe to their creed gives the them the right to disfellowship with the group. I say no. Our true unity is in Jesus Christ not in precise doctrinal agreement on every point which is seldom attained.
Over the centuries, creeds have been to shown to be erroneous and incomplete. I take the view that ALL SCRIPTURE is profitable for doctrine, reproof, etc. 2 Tim 3:16.
Sometimes the thing which we think will bring unity brings disunity. I've seen several house churches with long statements of faith crash and burn - certainly not all. Nor would I maintain that a group doesn't have the liberty to have a statement of faith as long as it wasn't mandatory
I must add that most all the older denominations in the US have utilized creeds as a protection against error yet today these same churches are filled with errors of every kind. The same downward path, btw, was followed by the great institutions of higher learning
May the Lord direct your paths and those of each member of the group.
posted
Thank you for your encouragement. I believe we are on the same page. My concern is that we do not go so far as to make it a plum line by which others will be measured. It could become a means by which one can draw a line of inclusive and exclusive. And that is where much of my conern is. Along with, limiting the movement of God in our midsts.
posted
I like the "Obedience to Christ's Commands" concept much better than a "statement of faith":
Jesus said, "Teaching them all I have commanded you..." and "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." So we look for the word "command" and for clear directives by Jesus and we find they fall under these seven, easily understood, easily remembered commands:
The Seven Commands of Christ are : 1) Repent, believe, and receive the Holy Spirit (conversion, regeneration), Mark 1:15; John 3:16; 20:22 2) Be baptized and live the new life it initiates, initiating ongoing transformation, Matthew 28:18-20; Romans 6:1-14 3) Love God, neighbour, fellow disciples, the needy in a practical way and enemies (forgive), Matthew 22:36-40; John 13:34-35, Luke 10:25-37; Matthew 5:43-48 4) Break bread (Communion, related to all that we do to worship), Matthew 26:26-28; John 4:24 5) Pray (private and family devotions, intercession and spiritual warfare), John 16:24 6) Give (stewardship of our time, treasure and talents), Luke 6:38 7) Make disciples (witness for Christ, shepherd, apply the Word, train leaders, send missionaries), Matthew 28:18-20
So, we teach "simple, loving obedience to Jesus".
Since these things are, by definition, what it means to be a Christian, and yet are easy to apply to daily life, easy to transport across cultures and even the youngest baby Christian can do them, I'd advocate for them instead!
Any time you start having a "statement of faith", you are talking about "closing the circle" "we four no more" clubs" - and we are instantly not obeying command # 7 - to make disciples, we are instead trying to "keep the disciples we already have."
My 2c. Blessings, Laurie Ann PS: These come from George Patterson, Brian Hogan and others with success in planting self-reproducing movements to Christ.
-------------------- You & Me and Jesus. We are enough!
posted
Laurie Ann, thank you very much for your input. I am going to print this out a bring it to the group. Using the K.I.S.S. motto has been my creed for most of my life. Have a blessed rest of the week.
posted
As was mentioned, there are at least two points that are against statements of faith:
1. Most importantly, there is no biblical precedence for a statement of faith. As Laurie Ann said, teach simple obedience to the commandments of our Lord.
2. History is filled with volumes of groups where a statement of faith absolutely did no good in protecting the group from false doctrine.
If it is not commanded and has proven to be ineffective, why do it?
Email this page to someone.
