The Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand is working on a shared confession of faith, online at www.webelieve.org.nz. The “Focal Identity Statement” is designed to replace the Westminster Confession (1646), a task started back in 1999. The task group responsible for the process (Richard Dawson, Susan Jones, Bruce Hamill and Murray Rae) is seeking feedback from the wider Church on this and other alternatives being considered. You can submit your feedback online or by email.

Confession of Faith – Kupu Whakapono (First Draft)

From this land of Aotearoa New Zealand
we confess that we believe in and belong
to the one true and living God,
who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

We believe in God the Father ,
sovereign and holy
Love above all loves,
Creator and Nurturer of all,
Father of Jesus Christ
Sender of the Holy Spirit
and Judge of all the earth.

We believe in Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour,
truly human and truly divine.
He lived among us full of grace and truth,
was crucified for our forgiveness,
and by the power of God was raised from the grave,
setting us free and bringing to birth God’s new creation.
Now ascended, he calls us to repentance and faith,
and restores us to God and to one another.

We believe in God the Holy Spirit
who makes Christ known,
inspired the Scriptures
and transforms hearts and minds,
who gathers us into the community of Christ
and sustains the Church in worship and in mission.

We belong to this triune God,
who calls us to new life in Christ,
to be God’s own people, diversely gifted,
witnesses to God’s love in word and action,
servants of reconciliation,
and stewards of Creation.

Brought together in Christ,
from many nations,
women and men,
young and old,
nga iwi katoa,
we look forward in hope and joy
to the return of Christ,
to the new heaven and earth
in which evil and death will be no more,
justice and peace will flourish,
and we shall forever sing praise to the glory of God.

Some Thoughts

The language chosen here clearly is designed to align the denomination with much of the classic language of the people of God through the centuries, linking with the Nicene Creed, Apostles Creed, and picking up some of the flavour of the Reformation creeds. The Father Son and Holy Spirit formula has been retained for this reason I imagine. At least the Holy Spirit is not given gender.

I find it interesting that the confession of faith has little reference to the role of the Scriptures.

The section on the return of Christ needs some connection back to the current context in which we are inspired and empowered to participate in God’s growing kingdom. Eternity starts now.

And what’s this about singing forever in the last line? Is this some poetry that makes us feel good, or churchy, or good and churchy? Or do we really believe that we’re destined to become fulltime members of the heavenly choir in eternity? How about the people who do other things to express praise to the glory of God? We shall forever play cricket for the glory of God!