Austin, Texas
We Proclaim Jesus Christ and Promote Communities of Joy, Hope, Love, and Peace
|
Our
Local Community |
We are an international Christian church with 250,000 members in approximately forty nations. Our World Headquarters, including a Temple dedicated to the pursuit of peace, is located in Independence, Missouri. The church was organized in 1830 in New York State.
Our Mission
To proclaim Jesus Christ and to promote communities of JOY, HOPE, LOVE,
and PEACE.
We Offer
a community of people where the gospel of Jesus Christ is the focus of worship, learning, caring, and mission.
an opportunity for genuine spiritual growth and relationship with the Holy Spirit.
local congregations where deep friendships are established, individual
ideas are valued, and where those special needs find security, care,
and support.
a faith community that encourages the ministry of all people, including children and youth.
a global community with a worldwide mission that values all cultures and celebrates the rich diversity of human life.
meaningful opportunities to serve Jesus Christ by helping others and promoting peace.
Our Faith and Beliefs
Recognizing that the perception of truth is always qualified by human
nature and experience, there is no official church creed that must be
accepted by all members. However, through the years various statements,
such as those listed below, have been developed to present the
generally accepted beliefs of the church. All people are encouraged to
study the scriptures, to participate in the life and mission of the
church, and to examine their own experiences as they grow in
understanding and response to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
God
The one eternal, living God is triune: one God in three persons. The
God who meets us in the testimony of Israel is the same God who meets
us in Jesus Christ, and who indwells creation as the Holy Spirit. God
is the Eternal Creator, the source of love, life, and truth. God
actively loves and cares for each person. All things that exist owe
their being to God who alone is worthy of our worship.
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is "God with us," the Son of God, and the living
expression of God in the flesh. Jesus Christ lived, was crucified,
died, and rose again. The nature, love, and purpose of God are most
clearly seen in Jesus Christ, our Savior.
Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the continuing presence of God in the world. The
Spirit works in our minds and hearts through intelligence, comfort,
guidance, love, and power to sustain, inspire, and remake us.
Salvation
God loves us even though we are sinful. Through the ministry of Christ
and the presence of the Holy Spirit, we are able to turn to God and
receive the gifts of salvation and eternal life. Those who accept the
gospel are called to respond to Christ through baptism and committed
discipleship. As individuals exercise faith in Christ and follow his
example and teachings, they become new people.
The Church
Christian discipleship is most fully possible when it is pursued in a
community of committed believers. The church, as part of the body of
Christ, is the means through which the ministry of Christ continues in
the world today. It is a community of people seeking to bring God's
love to all through compassionate ministry, worship, the sacraments,
and witness.
Revelation
The process through which God reveals divine will and love is called
revelation. God continues to reveal today as in the past. God is revealed
to us through scripture, the faith community, prayer, nature, and in
human history.
Scripture
The scriptures provide divine guidance and inspired insight for life
when responsibly interpreted and faithfully applied. With other
Christians, we affirm the Bible as scripture for the church. In our
tradition, the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants are
additional scriptural witnesses of God’s love and Christ’s
ministry.
Sacraments
The sacraments express the continuing presence of Christ through the
church. They help us establish and continually renew our relationship
with God. Through them we establish or reaffirm our covenant with God
in response to God's grace. The sacraments of the church are baptism,
confirmation of membership, the Lord's Supper (Communion), marriage,
blessing of children, laying on of hands for the sick, ordination to
the priesthood, and the evangelist's blessing.
Human Worth
God loves each of us equally and unconditionally. All persons have
great worth and should be respected as creations of God with basic
human rights. The willingness to love and accept others is essential to
faithfulness to the gospel of Christ.
All Are Called
ll men, women, youth, and children are given gifts and abilities to
enhance life and to become involved in Christ's mission. Some are
called to particular responsibility as ordained ministers (priesthood)
in the church. The church provides for a wide range of priesthood
ministries through calling and ordination of both men and women.
FREE
AGENCY:
All people have freedom to choose. Our choices bring real consequences
- good and evil - to our lives, to the lives of others, and to our environment.
Commitment to Christ, sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, and participation
in the faith community help us to make responsible choices that enhance
human life and respect creation.
STEWARDSHIP:
All things are created by God and should be used for the purposes of
God. Stewardship is the wise management of gifts and resources to enrich
personal, family, congregational, and community life. Wise stewardship
of natural resources is a critical concern.
THE
KINGDOM:
God's kingdom is present wherever people acknowledge the lordship of
God over life, relationships, and creation. The full coming of the Kingdom
awaits the final victory over evil when divine rule is established and
justice, peace, and righteousness prevail.
ZION:
The "cause of Zion" expresses our commitment to pursuing God's
kingdom through the establishment of Christ-centered communities in
families, congregations, neighborhoods, cities, and throughout the world.
PEACE:
Because of our commitment to Christ and our belief in the power of community
and the worth of all people, we are compelled to spend ourselves in
the pursuit of justice and peace.
RESURRECTION:
God conserves and renews life. This truth is revealed in the resurrection
of Jesus Christ which is a sign of God's ultimate victory over death.
We find hope and courage for living through the resurrection of Christ.
By the power of God in Christ, people move from death into life. Through
resurrection, God transforms individuals, bringing them into the fullness
of eternal life.
JUDGEMENT:
Our eternal destiny is determined by God according to divine wisdom
and love, and according to our response to God's call to us. God's judgment
is just and is primarily concerned about the kind of people we have
become in relation to the potential of our lives.
ENDTIME:
God is acting in history to reconcile all aspects of creation to divine
purpose. The meaning and end to which history moves is revealed in Christ.
The ultimate victory of righteousness and peace over injustice, evil,
and sin is assured because of the unfailing love of God and the conviction
that Christ is coming again.
Countless people have found hope for their lives and encounter with the living Christ through the ministries, sacraments, teachings, and mission of the church. You are welcome to come and share with us as we respond to God's call to create communities of Christ throughout the world
You are invited to continue exploring the mission, faith, and beliefs of the church by visiting one of our local congregations. Countless people have found hope for their lives and encountered the living Christ through the ministries, sacraments, teachings, and mission of the church. Please contact Missionary Ministries for information regarding the congregation nearest you or if you have questions or would like to receive additional information about the church. A minister is available online to answer questions Sunday Evenings from 9 to 10 p.m. central time on our PathFinder website.