I believe in a God who is: God who was before the beginning and after the end; from everlasting to everlasting. God spoke all there is into being, breathed the breath of life into humanity, and will receive our last breath when this world comes to an end.
I believe God is sovereign in all things. In this sovereignty, God allows for free will. Therefore, we live in a broken and beautiful world. We are both saints and sinners. Evil exists in the world due to our human choices as well as the randomness of natural disaster and disease. Although the Enemy’s presence is active in the world, its end will come, subject to God’s sovereign love and power.
I believe God creates joy and beauty as displayed in a wonderful and diverse creation. This wonder is revealed in the spectrum of ethnicities, social backgrounds, languages, colors, and genders. God created us male and female but first created us human. Therefore, gender and sexuality are not limited to binary definitions. God’s first priority is love, which is to be the foundation of all human relationships. God sees it all and has declared it very good.
I believe God’s creation solely belongs to God and humans have been called to steward this gift. Therefore, hoarding resources or willfully ignoring the negative environmental impact our choices is sin. Although we have created boundaries to help order the world, they do not override our responsibility to the well-being of all people. Beginning in Genesis, people have moved throughout the world. When we deny these human rights, we are like the thief who comes to kill and destroy, denying the Shepherd’s gift of abundant life.
I believe Scripture is God’s revelation to humanity, inspired by the Holy Spirit but written by human hands and in human words. Despite human error, Scripture is infallible to communicate God’s will. Through Jesus, God has revealed — and continues to reveal — God’s self to us. The diverse revelation of God is always consistent with the character and word of the Triune God, providing authority and guidance in our relationship with God and with one another.
I believe the Sacraments are God’s gift to us, a physical manifestation of spiritual truth. While not a means of grace, they convey God’s grace to us and our participation in our adoption into the Body of Christ as well as nourishment as we continue our journey of faith and discipleship. Both call us into intimate relationship with God and one another; therefore, we celebrate the Sacraments in community. In baptism, we respond to God’s initiating act of love. Sealed by the Holy Spirit, we who are many are made one, belonging to one another in the name of Christ. At the table, Jesus ate with all people regardless of their faith; therefore, I believe the Lord’s table is open to all people who seek to eat with Jesus. In communion, we are joined together in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and with the lives of all believers.
I believe God redeems us in this life and the next through no merit of our own. I believe in the sovereign mercy of God. Therefore, I do not know the limits of this mercy. I will preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ because this is how I know salvation. However, I accept that others may know Jesus in a way I do not. I cannot limit the expressions of God’s love; it would be my heresy to do so. Therefore, I believe in the Triune God but cannot limit the ways God is known in the world.
I believe God sees me in the reality of who I am and the promise of who I can be. Despite both my desire and fear of being seen by divine perfection, I cannot hide. Like the woman in the crowd who bled for twelve years, I am seen, known, and loved.
I believe God is miraculous love — a love so miraculous that it pursues us even in the low and ugly places. God is a love that understands the fullness of human emotion and experience: rejoicing with us in our joy, participating in our suffering, and receiving our anger when we rage at injustice in the world or the random pain in our lives. Despite our failures and a broken world, God’s love remains steadfast, and for this, we should be thankful.
I believe the power of the resurrection is found in this life and the next. We are not saved only for some future eternity that is beyond our control and our ability to comprehend. I believe the Great Commission is found in Jesus’ words to “go and do likewise” and “feed my sheep.” In joyful response to who God is and God’s work in our lives, we are called to live with love, compassion, humility, and justice. We work out our salvation in fear and trembling as we join God’s mission in the world.
I believe the Church is the continued incarnation of Christ on earth. In her many instances, we are both many and one; we belong to one another. Seeking God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness before all else, we should outdo one another in showing honor and love our friends and enemies alike.
I believe we are called to live with the love of God, the grace of Jesus, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. The day will come when neither we nor Creation will suffer the labor pains of this present time for the fullness of the resurrection for all will be restored. It is in this hope we have been saved. Amen.
Rev. Michelle Henrichs
February 2025
