Our Beliefs
Wanting to define ourselves by what we are for rather then by what we are against, we at Mission Year have chosen to attempt to outline our common theological center, rather then drawing boundaries around our theological edges. We have looked to early church history for common creeds that have been used for thousands of years by many different denominations. In doing so, we have followed the rule of St. Vincent of Lerins who advocated, “…we hold that which has been believed everywhere, always, and by all.” By defining our center, we hope to reflect the oft repeated phrase, “In essentials, unity. In non-essentials, liberty. In all things, charity.”
First Creed
The first creed we subscribe to at Mission Year is the Nicene Creed, which was the first official doctrinal statement of the whole Church. Developed in the 4th century and adopted by the Council of Chalcedon in 451, it is the only creed accepted and used by all three of the major branches of Christendom: Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Protestant. As the most ecumenical of creeds, it is a good place for a non-denominational organization like Mission Year to start.
Nicene Creed (Modern Wording)
We believe in one God, The Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father [and the Son].
With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. AMEN.
Second Creed
The second creed that we use to define ourselves at Mission Year is the Apostle’s Creed, which was developed between the 2nd and 8th centuries but reflects the theological formations of the first century Church. It has been the most widely used confessional statement in the Western Church for the past 1200 years.
Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord:
Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
The third day He arose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty , whence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.
Amen.
Philosophy of Ministry
- We are Jesus-centered in our theology and practice. (John 12:32)
- We believe in an incarnational & relational approach to ministry. (John 1; Phil. 2:5-7)
- We value the ethnic and cultural differences of the body of Christ. (Col. 3-11; Rev. 7:9)
- We believe that the neighborhood comes first. Therefore, we will seek the interests of our neighbors before our own. (Matt. 6:33; Phil. 2:3-4)
- We respect and partner with indigenous people, churches, organizations and neighborhoods. (Gen. 1:26-27)
- We seek to do justice and love mercy because Jesus’ special concern for the poor and oppressed. (Micah 6:8; Deut. 10:17-19; Deut. 15; Isaiah 58; Luke 4:14-21; James 1:27)
Where to Go Next...
Where Mission Year team members spend their year.
Those that join us in the work of Mission Year.
How this whole Mission Year thing got started.
