The theme of the California Pacific Methodist Conference was "I See a New Church." This morning, I feel led to begin working on a new creed. Here is my first draft. You are the first to see it, and I ask you to prayerfully consider it, knowing it is in its first stage.
I believe in God, The Creator, The Ground of all being, everywhere present, transcendent and imminent. I believe in The Presence of God, The Holy Spirit, personal and indwelling. I believe in Jesus who became The Christ, illumined and inspired, awake and connected to The Presence so fully he became aware that he was the child of God and called us to do likewise. I believe in The Way taught by Jesus, The Way to live as he lived, full of love, forgiveness, and compassion. I believe in life eternal, always lived in God's loving Presence.
Furthermore, I believe each is called to live The Way so fully, so congruently that what we believe is shown in thought, word and deed, letting God's Light shine, so. that others are drawn to The Way. I believe Jesus taught us how to live and gave us the task to bring The Way into hearts and minds of all humanity, thereby initiating spiritual awakening and peace on earth.
This is my calling.
I, too, was thinking of creeds this morning, wondering which creed in the Methodist communion ritual circa 1967 it was, that caused me to exit the sanctuary mid-communion. I found my old hymnal, and it was the Apostles' Creed. I must say, Marlene, that yours is an improvement!
ReplyDeleteThe 1960 hymnal also offered A Modern Affirmation that this then-13-year-old wouldn't have found offensive.
For me, though, the question about your new creed is, are you working on it primarily to find an appropriate reflection of your own beliefs, or as a welcoming creed for those who find church off-putting?
Thank you. First, it is a statement of my belief, something I can say with my integrity intact. Secondly, I sent it to Pastor Rick for his opinion/input. Thirdly, when I feel satisfied with it, I will offer it to the bishop. Since my blog is read in many countries, the draft is out there. Will see what happens.
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