The Importance of a Doctrinally Sound Statement of Faith for a Church

Understanding the Role of a Statement of Faith

In the spirit of complete disclosure, I had AI write a solid part of this blog. I hadn't started out with that in mind, but as I was setting up the blog it asked if I wanted the article generated. I'm a geek and said, "Sure!" I was curious to see what would be generated. Overall, considering my input was merely the title, it did a good job of putting the overall structure and content together. And there are far fewer misspelled words!!! So I will add my own personal thoughts throughout the article. Hopefully my input will sound as smart as the AI.

A statement of faith is a foundational component for any church. It articulates the beliefs and doctrines that the church upholds, providing clarity and direction for both leadership and congregation. By outlining essential beliefs, it serves as a unified declaration that can be referenced in teaching, decision-making, and community life. Unfortunately, it also tends to be one of the overlooked components and safe guards of church.

We are going through the process of updating our Statement of Faith (SOF). After 25 years, we figured we know what we believe and seldom referenced the document. When we did take a look we noticed a 'softness' about many of our statements. Written in the 'seeker-friendly' era the language often reflected some of that ideology, which we reject. No heresy, but a few holes that could be used to distort sound doctrine. What was once understood by the original writers, now is less clear. Language and society have changed, and it is our duty to make sure we are not influenced by society to compromise our beliefs. For example, who would have thought 25 years ago we would need reinforce our language to clearly define marriage is between a man and a woman, and there are only two sexes and you don't get to chose. What was once obvious and didn't need stated, needs to be written in bold and highlighted.

A doctrinally sound statement of faith not only defines the church’s identity and affiliations but also safeguards it from potential theological errors. Few churches have considered, and probably would be surprised by what beliefs could agree with their SOF. As we looked at our old statement, we noticed several times that a person with an unorthodox belief could agree with one or another point. Our doctrinal safe guard needed to be strengthened and reinforced. No one would disagree that God is love, but is destroys doctrine and the church when it ignores God's holiness and justice. Who is Jesus? It is a depressing revelation when we see the various answers from surveys of the church. In a world with diverse interpretations of scripture, having a clear and accurate statement helps to maintain the integrity of the church's teachings. Orthodoxy has a large umbrella, but a diversity in some beliefs (Arminian/Calvinist, pre/post/amill) does not mean we have to have diversity in all beliefs. It acts as a compass, guiding the church through various challenges and ensuring that its doctrines are rooted in biblical truth.

A strong statement of faith fosters a sense of belonging among congregants. We may remember talking about the SOF during the membership class, but it now may get an occasional mention. When members of the body understand and accept (not just agree with a head nod) the fundamental beliefs of their church, they are more likely to cultivate a spirit of unity and collaboration. The SOF also determines who are the attenders, members and leaders. An attender is welcome in the body life, but may be unfamiliar with the SOF and the beliefs of the body and needs to be taught. Discipleship and training in the SOF should be the primary goal. You may accept someone into membership who demonstrates an understanding and agreement with the SOF, but might be granted some liberty being baptized as an infant, when the church believes in a believer's baptism. (Yes they can still be baptized) Teachers and leaders in the church should have a strong understanding of the SOF and promote, teach and share it. This shared understanding in what we believe about the Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the Church, sin, salvation and the church encourages growth and sanctification, active participation in church ministries and outreach, strengthening the overall body of believers. Only an understanding of sound doctrine allows that to happen. Additionally, visitors are provided with a clear understanding of the church’s beliefs, helping them to feel more comfortable as they navigate their own spiritual journeys. People will appreciate knowing up front what the church believes - especially in the non-negotiables. What we believe, and how we live out those beliefs, is more important than what we do or the programs of the church.

If you haven't really looked at your Statement of Faith lately, take a good look at it. Look at society and what is happening in the progressive church, is your SOF a safe guard? Can it effectively and clearly block and extinguish the flaming arrows of false doctrine fired at the church? It is not good enough that you know what it means, will others read it with the same meaning? Will you always be their to defend your sound interpretation? A doctrinally sound statement of faith is vital for any church aiming to uphold its beliefs and teach biblical truths effectively. People may not like it, people may leave, but those who hear it will grow and God will be glorified and honored. It should ensures clarity of doctrine, if four people read it, will they agree on the meaning? It protects against errant doctrines, How churches can twist obvious truths is a mystery (and demonic!).It promotes unity among the body, both as a congregation and the church at large, as we all hold up the same standard. Without a knowledge of the foundational truths, much of our teaching can be twisted or misunderstood. The bedrock of our faith causes us to grimace at statements like, "my god would never..." He is God, not the god of your imaginations, you don't get to determine what you want to believe and what you get to ignore. Churches that prioritize a well-crafted SOF, and regularly teach on it, not only reinforce their teachings but also create a protective and welcoming environment for all who seek to grow in their faith. And of course, it is our foundation for our faith, our worship and our lives, all for the glory of the God of Truth!