Missional Creed

A liturgy of worship can shape the witness and mission of the people as they gather for worship in order to be sent. This creed has been read in unison in a variety of settings including my Missional Church course at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.  A recent post reported that it was used in a service of St. David's Cathedral in Australia. This creed, based on the ancient symbols, is written to affirm the gospel and to prepare the readers for mission in the world:

We believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, who sent his Son into the world, and who now sends us into the world, as witnesses to his reign in heaven and on earth.

We believe in Jesus Christ, who was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and became man, the Light of Light who entered our darkened world, to proclaim good news to the poor, to heal the sick, and to set the oppressed free. For us and for our salvation, he suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried.  On the third day he rose as victor from the dead.  He ascended into heaven where he is head of his body, the church, and will come again in glory and judgment, and reign in his triumphal kingdom.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the giver of life, who leads us, the people of God, on the mission of God, to join in the work of the kingdom of God. In this, we are called as Christ’s holy and apostolic church, to bear witness to God’s love, mercy and justice, to proclaim good news in word and deed, to make disciples of all peoples, for the redemption of all creation, to the glory of God’s holy name.  Amen.

dmg 2014