Community of Christ in Canada
  • Learn
    • Values
    • Mission in Action
    • Lived Experience >
      • The Congregation
      • The Mission Centre
      • The World Church
    • Theology >
      • Enduring Principles
      • Mission Initiatives
      • Sacraments
      • Statement on Scripture
      • Principles of History
      • Generosity
      • Basic Beliefs
    • History & Heritage
  • Connect
    • Congregations >
      • What to Expect
    • Meetup Groups
    • Blog
    • Social Media
    • Partners
    • Contact a Minister
  • Give
    • Giving Tuesday
  • Canada West
    • CWM Dashboard
    • Events Calendar
    • CWM Gatherings
    • News & Updates
    • Staff Directory
    • Congregations
    • Connection Groups
    • Campgrounds
    • Training Courses
    • Forms & Resources
  • Canada East
    • CEM Dashboard
    • Events Calendar
    • CEM Camping 2022
    • CEM Conference
    • News & Updates
    • Staff Directory
    • Congregations
    • Campgrounds
    • Connection Groups
    • Training Courses
    • Forms & Resources
  • Learn
    • Values
    • Mission in Action
    • Lived Experience >
      • The Congregation
      • The Mission Centre
      • The World Church
    • Theology >
      • Enduring Principles
      • Mission Initiatives
      • Sacraments
      • Statement on Scripture
      • Principles of History
      • Generosity
      • Basic Beliefs
    • History & Heritage
  • Connect
    • Congregations >
      • What to Expect
    • Meetup Groups
    • Blog
    • Social Media
    • Partners
    • Contact a Minister
  • Give
    • Giving Tuesday
  • Canada West
    • CWM Dashboard
    • Events Calendar
    • CWM Gatherings
    • News & Updates
    • Staff Directory
    • Congregations
    • Connection Groups
    • Campgrounds
    • Training Courses
    • Forms & Resources
  • Canada East
    • CEM Dashboard
    • Events Calendar
    • CEM Camping 2022
    • CEM Conference
    • News & Updates
    • Staff Directory
    • Congregations
    • Campgrounds
    • Connection Groups
    • Training Courses
    • Forms & Resources

Blog

A Moment with CWM Mission Centre President (Part 8 in a Series)

10/28/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
Black Lives Matter
Indigenous Lives Matter
Lives of People of Colour Matter


This is the 8th in a continuing series on the “We Share…” theme. For background, see the first entry in the series here: We Share #1
 
Today, “We Share… Basic Beliefs.” Basic Beliefs are “comprehensive, rational explanations of what the church holds to be true, arranged in categories that are part of the broader Christian tradition. In contrast, “Enduring Principles” (covered last week) “are the underlying truths and affirmations that shape the personality of the church.” (Sharing in Community of Christ, p. 26)
 
“The good news of Jesus Christ is at the center of the faith and beliefs of Community of Christ.” (Sharing …, p. 33) This is of primary importance. We hold firmly to our belief in God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. These are the most basic beliefs that connect us to the two millenia of history of the Christian church. Statements of other basic beliefs draw on these foundations and the complementary foundations of scripture. Each member’s experience of these beliefs will be different. Our beliefs are an “open invitation to all to embark on the adventure of discipleship,” to “seek God’s continuing guidance,” and to “encourage all people to study the scriptures and think about their experiences as they engage in the life of the church.” (Sharing …, p. 33)
 
Statements of our Basic Beliefs are made under the following headings:
  • God
  • Creation
  • Salvation
  • Scripture
  • Ministry
  • Resurrection and Eternal Life
  • Jesus Christ
  • Humanity
  • The Church
  • Sacraments
  • The Reign of God
  • Judgement
  • The Holy Spirit
  • Sin
  • Revelation
  • Discipleship
  • Peace
  • End Time

It may seem like a long list. Without a statement in each area there would be a lack of comprehensiveness in the total description of our beliefs. Each statement can be seen to build on others which creates a basic “systematic theology.” Members will find that they will give more importance to some statements than to others. What will be particularly meaningful to one person’s faith may be less important in another’s faith. Thus, we have a church with diversity of opinion, thought, and belief that is fully acceptable within the overall unity of the teachings and example of Jesus Christ.

Full statements of each belief may be found on the Community of Christ website and in the book Sharing in Community of Christ, pp. 33-38. In future weeks we will write specifically about our beliefs in Jesus Christ, the Sacraments, and Scripture. (Next week: “Stewardship”) If you would like me to address any other Basic Belief in detail, please send me an email and I will be happy to respond.
 
For more information about our Basic Beliefs, contact the writer or a congregation near you. Material for this column is drawn primarily from the book, available online, Sharing in Community of Christ: Exploring Identity, Mission, Message, and Beliefs.
 
I pray for you God’s blessings of joy, hope, love, and peace in these challenging times.

Steve Thompson
Canada West Mission Centre President
steve@communityofchrist.ca
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    October 2019
    April 2019

    Categories

    All
    All Voices
    Announcements
    Apostle Art Smith
    BLM
    COVID-19
    Racial Justice
    Vlog

    RSS Feed

Quick links

Make a Donation
Canada East Mission Centre
  • Upcoming Events
  • Staff Directory
Canada West Mission Centre
  • Upcoming Events
  • Staff Directory

External links

  • All Voices - Testimony Tapestry
  • Community of Christ World Church
  • Creating Connection
  • Community Place+
  • Community of Christ Mobile App for Android
  • Community of Christ Mobile App for iOS
  • World Accord
  • Encounter World Religions
  • Peace and Justice Committee

community of christ

355 Elmira Road North, Unit 129
Guelph, ON N1K 1S5 Canada
Canada West Mission: 877-411-2632
Canada East Mission: 888-411-7537
Picture

Canada West Social media

Canada East Social Media

Search Communityofchrist.ca

Site powered by Weebly. Managed by Community of Christ
Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Report a Website Issue