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We, the members
and adherents of Central United Church, covenant before God and with one
another, committing ourselves to pursue the following vision:
1. In Evangelism: To communicate the gospel of Jesus Christ so as to
move individuals to accept Christ as Lord. We will welcome and include all who
respond and join with us, assuring them they are loved and valued as part of
our congregation.
2. In Outreach: To respond to Christ's calling, we will reach out to a
suffering world -- internationally, nationally, and locally (with a special
focus upon those in need in the area of our church and within our city). We
also recognize the great need for Christian moral and family values, and commit
ourselves to promoting faithful and wholesome lifestyles within our community.
3. In Worship: To engage in public worship that is relevant, inspiring,
and centered in the Lordship and Gospel of Jesus Christ. Worship is our
response to God, and an irreplaceable way for us to hear and understand God's
word. When we worship, we renew our relationship with Jesus Christ, and are united
with other Christians -- past, present, and future. With this relationship in
mind, we commit ourselves to maintaining the integrity of the faith, and to
pass this on, in a worshipping community, to future generations. To do this, we
recognize that change in worship is necessary, but it must be done with
integrity. Not all past worship practices will be continued, but not all new
trends will be accepted.
4. In Christian Education: To provide appropriate Christian education to
all who are part of our congregation (children, youth, and adult) and to rank
Christian education as a high priority. We will provide opportunities and
encouragement for parents and confirmation candidates to fulfill baptismal
vows, and we will accept the challenge of providing relevant Christian
education for teens and young adults. All Christian education at Central United
shall have as its goal encouraging faith in Jesus Christ, as defined by our
ecumenical creeds (Nicene and Apostles') and the Basis of Union (doctrine) of
the United Church of Canada.
5. In Community Building: To foster a respect for our differences in
many areas (age, cultural and national heritage, racial origins, social and
political perspectives) while seeking also to express our unity in Jesus
Christ. We welcome the formation of many small groups among us which appeal to
the friendship and fellowship needs of our people. We would ask all groups,
however, to encourage a loyalty to the broader congregation, and invite all
those participating in small groups to join in the worship, life, and work of
Central United Church.
We commit ourselves to fostering stewardship within our congregation so that
all may faithfully offer time, talent, and tithing, in service to Jesus Christ.
A part of the service rendered shall be reaching out to the faithful within our
congregation who are suffering from adversity, sickness, bereavement,
confinement, or crisis. We shall make a significant effort, utilizing both
clergy and lay volunteers, to provide pastoral care, counseling, friendly
visits, and other ministry as needed.
We define ourselves as a distinct congregation within the United Church of
Canada, and commit ourselves to creating and maintaining links to other United
and non-United Church congregations, as well as the courts of the United Church
of Canada, as we deem faithful and appropriate to our Christian calling.