What we believe
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What we believe
A statement of faith for churches and ministries that want to say plainly what they believe without sounding like a legal document. It opens with a short summary, covers God, Jesus, the Spirit, the Bible, grace, the church and hope in brief sections, explains which questions the church holds with open hands, and finishes with an invitation to talk. Written for a broadly Christian, non-denominational church, it is easy to adjust: rewrite each section in your own tradition's words and keep the short, readable format.
What we believe
Grace Harbor Church is a non-denominational church, which means we're not part of a larger denomination, but we stand in the long tradition of Christians who have followed Jesus for two thousand years. Here is what we believe, in plain words.
We believe God made the world in love, came to us in Jesus to bring us home, and lives among us by the Holy Spirit, so that ordinary people can be made whole and learn to love their neighbors.
God
We believe in one God who exists eternally as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God is the maker of everything that is, and is good, holy, just and full of love. Nothing in the world is outside God's care, including you.
Jesus
We believe Jesus of Nazareth is God come among us as a real human being. He lived a life of perfect love, taught us what God is like, welcomed outsiders, healed the sick and challenged the powerful. He died on a cross, giving himself for the sin and brokenness of the world, and on the third day he rose from the dead. Because he lives, death does not have the last word.
The Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit is God present with us now: comforting, guiding, convicting and giving gifts to every believer for the good of others. The same Spirit who raised Jesus is at work in us, slowly shaping us to look more like him.
The Bible
We believe the Bible is inspired by God and is trustworthy for teaching us who God is and how to live. We read it together, in its full story and context, with humility and with each other, expecting God to speak through it. That's why our Sunday teaching works through whole books and passages rather than single verses.
Grace and new life
We believe every one of us falls short of the love God made us for, and that none of us can fix that on our own. God's forgiveness is a free gift, received by trusting Jesus, not earned by being good enough. Grace is where the Christian life begins, and it is also how it continues.
The church
We believe the church is not a building but a people: everyone who follows Jesus, across every nation, culture and generation. We practice two sacraments Jesus gave us: baptism, as a sign of new life, and communion, which we share on the first Sunday of every month and which is open to anyone who trusts in Jesus.
We believe women and men are equally called and gifted to serve and lead in every part of church life.
Our hope
We believe Jesus will return, and that God will one day put the whole world right: ending suffering, injustice and death, and making all things new. That hope gives us courage to work for good in Savannah now, because we know how the story ends.
In essentials, unity. In non-essentials, liberty. In all things, love.
Open-handed questions
Followers of Jesus who love the Bible sincerely disagree about some things. On these, our members hold a range of views, and we would rather learn from each other than divide:
Baptizing children
We baptize believers of any age and also offer a service of dedication for babies and young children.
How creation happened
We agree God is the creator of all things. Members hold different views on how and how long.
The end times
We agree Jesus will return. We don't spend much time arguing about the timetable.
What this means for everyday life
- We try to love God with our whole lives, not just on Sunday mornings.
- We welcome everyone, whatever they believe or doubt, wherever they come from.
- We serve our neighbors in Savannah, especially people who are struggling.
- We tell the truth, forgive each other and keep showing up.
Good. Questions are welcome here. Rev. Angela Brooks runs a four-week Exploring Faith class every season, and any of our pastors would be glad to meet you for coffee. Email hello@example.com to set it up.
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