Christ Lutheran Church - DeForest, Wisconsin
In the same way that the Holy Spirit calls, gathers, enlightens, and
sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth (Small Catechism, Luther) so is
Christ Lutheran Church called as a member of this body of Christ to proclaim
that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God (Matthew 16: 18). Although composed of
individuals, eachwith unique
abilities to
contribute and
different needs to be fulfilled, this congregation unites with Christ as its
head (Ephesians 4:4) in dedication to His truth, in exhibiting the forgiveness
and love of God, and in sharing in the joy of the Gospel.
Being so unified, Christ Lutheran Church acknowledges its mission to
reach out in ministry to and with those around us to proclaim God's grace and
judgment to all people in every corner of the world and in every condition of
life. Knowing that we are led by the example of Jesus Christ, and guided by the
imperatives of Holy Scriptures, the Confessions, and the power of the Holy
Spirit, we shall recognize and accept:
1. Our responsibility to Christ as His brothers and sisters in the Kingdom to spread
His Gospel and proclaim His love.
2. Our responsibility to fellow members of Christ Lutheran Church. We shall nurture each other's
faith through the sharing of our beliefs, and enliven the spiritual life within
our congregational family by providing a meaningful worship. We shall promote
trust and individual growth, exhibit sensitivity and support to one another in
life's troubles, share leadership responsibilities, and strive to reconcile and
heal the trauma of human divisiveness.
3. Our responsibility to fellow citizens of our community. We
shall welcome into our congregation all who desire Christian fellowship and
worship regardless of race, sex, economic class, and other cultural
distinctions. We shall witness to our community through a commitment to
neighborhood ministries, community agencies, and local government. We shall
remain ever mindful of a society with changing needs in the effort to establish
justice for all. Where able, we shall promote our mutual ministry with other
community churches.
4. Our responsibility to fellow members of our area ministry,
synod and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. We shall support and
encourage the efforts of the ELCA in its local geographic divisions and in the
national sense in its widespread ministry through our benevolence support of
programs, our prayers, and through the attainment of understanding and
knowledge of the work of the Church in communities beyond our own.
5. Our responsibility to fellow citizens of God's whole creation. We
shall, where possible, cooperate and urge governments including our own in
meeting the needs of people and establishing justice for all. Due to God's
command to love our neighbor, WE SHALL seek to alleviate through individual,
congregational and governmental action such tragedies as poverty, hunger and
injustice.
Although the Gospel itself is rooted in eternity, the human expressions
of the Gospel have historically changed. Therefore, we as members of Christ
Lutheran Church shall remain open and willing to consider changing approaches
in expression of our Christian ministry as we undertake the MISSION of Christ's
faith within our lives.