The following statement was written by Brian McLaren for The Emergent Convention held at Nashville, Tennessee, USA, in May 2004. Our church has adopted this statement not so much for the purpose of dictating what we as a congregation believe specifically, but to indicate the types of beliefs we hold generally.

Our intention for this statement is to use it as a way of inviting others to journey with us in exploring what Jesus means to us. For any journey to begin, it is always appropriate to have a clearly marked starting-point. This creed is our theological starting-point, as opposed to other possible starting-points.

You might be wondering to yourself, "If there are other possible starting-points, then why choose this one?" That's a good question, especially considering that we, as a church belonging to the international family of Churches of Christ, do not actually adhere to any creed at all.

Historically, Churches of Christ have eschewed the use of creeds believing that creeds tend to separate Christians from being in unity and fellowship — see Lyndsay and Lorraine Jacobs, "Characteristics of Our Churches" (World Convention of Churches of Christ; accessed 29/03/2008). We are using this creed then, not as a statement to which all of our members must agree and adhere, but as a means of expressing the faith and beliefs that tend to be taught and promoted by our leaders. To become a member of this community one need only be a baptised, confessing believer.

Feel free, then, to read and consider the following statement. We would love to hear your comments and discuss with you any questions that you may have. Contact us by e-mail or telephone, drop in for a coffee, or join us for worship on Sundays.

An outline of those things we believe

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 agonizing 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.

By Brian McLaren.
Used with permission.