Christianity is the revelation of God in Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ is proclaimed as Savior by the Christian

Church. This Network is founded in the interest of offering a home to all who confess and believe.
Our faith is based upon the principles outlined in the Apostles and Nicene Creeds. We also recognize that the
revelation of God and Gods grace continues to be on-going. Our Narrative Theology Statement embeds our
beliefs in context, perpetually inspiring our Network to participate in what God is doing in our world.
A. Statement of Faith
a. We believe the Bible was written by people guided by Gods Spirit and affirm what it says it is:
authoritative, inspired, illumined by the Spirit and useful for teaching, correcting, and wisdom.
(Psalm 119.105-112; John 16.12-14; 17.17; 2 Timothy 3.16-17).
b. We believe in the one true Creator God, who shows Gods self through self-giving love in a
communal relationship of oneness displayed in three persons:
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
(Genesis 1; Matthew 3.1617; Mark 1.1011; Luke 1.35, 3.22; John 1.32; Hebrews 9.14; Acts
7.55; Romans 8).
c. We believe God created all things good and all people in Gods image for relationship with
God, each other, ourselves, and creation. (Genesis 1-2; 1 Timothy 4.4).
d. We believe peoples rebellion against God broke their relationship with God and continues to
perpetuate sin, death, brokenness, and destruction in our world. (Genesis 3.15; Romans 5.12;
Colossians 1.21).
e. We believe God has not abandoned creation, and in love, sent to earth Gods one and only Son
Jesus, fully God and fully human, born of a virgin and without sin to redeem all creation.
(Matthew 1.28-55; John 1; John 3.16-17; Romans 8.19-25; Colossians 1.15-20).
f. We believe Jesus came proclaiming a new arrival of the Kingdom of Goda reality marked by
love, grace, peace, and joy. Through his life, death, and resurrection, Jesus defeated sin and
death inaugurating a new creation that offers all people eternal life now. Jesus is the only way to
access the free gift of grace, renewed peace, and reconciliation with God.
(John 1.29; Romans 3.22-26; 5.1-9; Mark 4.26; Romans 14.17; 1 Corinthians 4.20; 2
Corinthians 5.17; Hebrews 1.1-3; Revelation 21.5).
g. We believe Jesus Christ sends the Holy Spirit to dwell in the hearts of believers, empowers
them with gifts, convicts, guides, comforts, counsels, and leads us into truth through a
communal life of worship and a missional expression of our faith. (John 14.26; 20.21-23;
Ephesians 1.17-19; Acts 1.8).
h. We believe Jesus calls people to be his disciples in all areas of life, exhibiting our faith in him
by social and personal practices, which brings glory to Gods name. (Matthew 5.14-16; 22.3640; Colossians 3.17; 1 Peter 4.11-12; 2 Peter 3.18).

B. Sacraments
The Anthem Network embraces three Sacraments:
1. Baptism by water and the Spirit, as recorded in the Scriptures, shall be a sign of the dedication
of each life to God and Gods service. Through the words and acts of this sacrament, the
recipient is identified as Gods own child.
2. Holy Communion is the partaking of blessed bread and fruit of the vine in accordance with the
words of Jesus, our Sovereign, This is my body...this is my blood (Matthew 138 26:26-28).
All who believe confess and repent and seek Gods love through Christ, after examining their
consciences, may freely participate in the communal meal, signifying their desire to be received
into relationship with God in Jesus Christ and to commit their lives anew to the service of God
in Jesus Christ.
3. Ordination is the setting apart of duly qualified persons for the professional, vocational ministry
of this Church. It is evidenced by the laying on of hands by authorized ordained clergy,
pursuant to these Constitution and Bylaws.
C. Rites
The Rites of the Church as performed by its duly authorized clergy and shall consist of the following:
1. The Rite of Membership in a Local Faith Community/Church shall be conducted by the Clergy or
Lay Minister before a Local congregation at any regular worship service. Each local faith
community may determine the instruction process needed for membership.
2. The Rite of Holy Union or Rite of Holy Matrimony is the spiritual joining of two persons in a
manner fitting and proper by a duly authorized Clergy or Lay Minister of the faith community.
After both persons have counseled and apprised of their responsibilities one toward the other, this
rite of conferring Gods blessing may be performed.
3. The Rite of Funeral or Memorial Service is to be fittingly conducted by Clergy or Lay Minister of a
local church for the deceased.
4. The Rite of Laying on of Hands or prayer for healing of the sick in mind, body or spirit is to be
conducted upon request by the minster of the Church at their direction.
5. The Rite of Blessing may be conducted by the Clergy or Lay Minister for persons, things and
relationships, when deemed by the Pastor. This includes the dedication of a faith community
building or other property to the glory of God.
6. The Rite of Installation of Lay and/or Clergy Pastors shall be undertaken by the local faith
community to celebrate the beginning of a recognized ministry as clergy or lay minister. This Rite
shall include the public recognition the clergy or lay minister to be inducted in an appropriate
service of worship.