Open and Affirming Statement
The Park Church, called by God to uphold Christian principles of love
and respect for one another, has built a rich history of challenging oppression,
working for justice and peace, and striving to eliminate prejudice in
ourselves and others.
We, the members of the Park Church congregation, recognize and affirm
the worth and dignity of every child, woman and man. We embrace people
of every ethnic origin, race, class, age, ability, gender and sexual orientation.
We welcome into Christian worship, membership, leadership, friendship
and employment all who covenant with us to seek God's truth and to follow
Christ's example.
We affirm our support and celebration of the lives and relationships
of each member of our church and will continually study and address prejudice
and lack of understanding which compromise the life, worth, dignity and
civil rights of any individual.
Adopted October 29, 2000
Mission Statement
Our purpose is to build and nuture our faith by worshipping God together,
by actively welcoming all, by growing in Christian understanding and
acceptance of the diversity of God’s creation, and by a mutually
sustaining community of caring people.
We will live our faith by sharing our gifts and talents, by identifying
and ministering to human needs, and by working for peace and justice
in our community, in our nation, and in the world.
Statement of Faith
The Statement of Faith adopted in 1992 by the Church is set forth as
follows:
We affirm our need and dependence on God.
We believe that God's love for the world is demonstrated in the life,
death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and that through Him we have eternal
life.
We acknowledge the graceful and healing work of the Holy Spirit within
our community. As children of God, we seek to follow God's call and to
share our journeys with one another.
We look to the Old and New Testaments for instruction, inspiration, and
spiritual guidance.
We observe the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper as outward,
corporate expressions of faith.
We commit ourselves to Christ's mission of peace and justice through
service to our local and world communities.
We believe in the importance of seeking knowledge, wisdom, and faith
through study of the Scriptures, prayer, education, and the free exchange
of information and ideas.
We practice the congregational form of governance as the means through
which individual conscience is expressed and decisions are made concerning
the life of The Park Church.
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