Development and Values
The Falls Church (Episcopal) describes itself as "a welcoming group of believers whose message is one of trust in the hope-filled promises of Jesus Christ, love for one another, and service to the community." Identifying the Summary of the Law as its core value ("You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Mark 12:30), The Falls Church (Episcopal) seeks to be a community centered on the commandments of Jesus Christ.
Defining its theology as both "Orthodox and Open", they affirm their belief in Apostolic Christianity. Further, The Falls Church (Episcopal) affirms Orthodox Christian teachings, including:
The Holy Trinity as one God who exists eternally in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Trinity reveals itself to us through Scripture, Tradition, Reason, and by the experience of God as understood in community.
The Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the full revelation of God, being both fully God and fully human.
The Holy Scriptures. The canonical books of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God and contain all things necessary for salvation.
The Christian Church. The Church is the Body of Christ. Its members belong to Christ's new humanity and are called and sent to live in the world in the power of the Spirit, worshiping God, confessing His truth, proclaiming the Good News of Christ, supporting one another in love, and giving themselves in sacrificial service to others, especially those in need. Its great mission is to make disciples of all nations and peoples.
Spiritual Gifts and Ministry. All Christians are called to exercise their God-given gifts to work, witness and suffer for Christ. The particular call of ordained ministers is to preach, teach and provide leadership and pastoral care to equip God's people for His service and present them mature in Christ.
The Return of Christ. Our Lord Jesus Christ will personally return in glory at the end of this age for the resurrection of the dead for the glorification of His Church and for the renewal of the whole Creation.
Furthermore, The Falls Church (Episcopal) has affirmed the Historic Creeds of the Church (the Apostles Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed as authoritative definitions of Christianity, handed down throughout the centuries.
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