Belief, Worldview, a Statement of Faith
/Beliefs
Have you ever been asked what what you believe?
Now more than ever, I believe it is important to dig deeper as to the why the world and all its inhabitants exist and what is our purpose in life?
The pandemic pushed these intimate soul q’s to the surface. If we haven’t pondered it ourselves lately, we are involved with relationships that hopefully opens up doors for great conversations. This is based on a set of belief systems that are a set of principles or tenets which together form the basis of a religion, philosophy, or moral code. Some are Monotheists, Dualists, Polytheism, Atheists, Non-Theistic, Personal Development Movements among others. (To learn more about religions in general, visit sites like Learn Religions).
If you are new to this blog and don’t know me personally and am curious where I stand with my faith, personally ascribe to a monotheistic faith perspective from a Judeo Christian belief and experience.
“What is Your Statement of Faith?”
Ya. This can be more intimidating. Yikes, a formal statement? In this blogging world, I am sensing I need to be more public about my specific views as it can get lost in clicks. As I founded and formed two non profits here in my community and spoken at various events over the last 25 years interdenominationally, I have often been asked “ Jodi, what is your statement of Faith”? There are many reasons for leaders, pastors or people in general to ask such a question:
Some only associate with people we believe exactly like them. (I believe is sad as I know from experience that we learn much from one another’s beliefs in healthy dialogue).
Others may ask because they are practicing good stewardship and want to share that statement with their leader or board of elders before inviting a speaker to their event.
Others may be hyper sensitive to ‘false prophets or false teachers” and want to assure you aren’t “new age” or too far left or too far right. Even that statement is viewed through the lens of one’s one personal worldview experience as to what that really means or looks like.
You might be asking, what is a ”statement of faith?” At its core, a statement of faith is a simple description and explanation of your personal spiritual beliefs. It could be as simple as the “Golden Rule: Love Your Neighbour as Yourself”, or for Christians, the many creeds like the Apostles Creed or the Nicene Creed which I grew up memorizing. It wasn’t until I was 26 years old where it became more personal.
Fast forward to 2020 when I turned 50, I graduated from Seminary with my Masters. I wrote a paper on my personal statement of Faith as one of the required submissions in fulfillment of my degree.
If you haven’t thought critically about your personal beliefs or a statement of faith yet, I encourage you to journal your thoughts, experiences and feelings about life, morality and any underlying philosophical underpinnings in your life. Other q’s to ponder:
Do you believe in God (yes or no),
If yes, who is God to you?
What do you believe is your life purpose?
When does life begin?
Why is there suffering in the world?
What about evil?
Do you believe there is life after death?
Heaven? Hell? Angels and demons?
What spiritual practices (if any) are meaningful/ fruitful for you? etc. And then ask yourself what is the basis for that belief? …
Let this process help steer you in owning your convictions to grow in greater health, joy and peace in life.
World View
Another question in today’s culture is “What is your worldview?”
A worldview then is a particular philosophy of life or conception of the world. It’s the guide that each of us uses to categorize knowledge and thoughts in order for them to make sense. My faith informs my worldview, but so does my own unique experiences, travels and relationships I have made on my journey. This is where it gets really interesting. Our worldview, our religious perspectives, our interpretation of sacred texts is as unique as the DNA we have been given. Some God given, and others (in my opinion), as a result of the Fall of mankind which is all redeemable and can be restored by the power of Christ Jesus and His finished work on the cross.
If you haven’t thought about your own personal worldview, I invite you to journal and start reflecting on your life experiences and you’ll see common threads that can be seen as healthy or unhealthy in how you interpret the world around you. For additional help, seek out mentors, classes, spiritual advisors to sharpen your understanding of the world around you and your part in it.
Forming My Personal Statement of Faith
I believe we were created to have healthy relationships both vertically and horizontally. I believe our soul was created for a relationship with God our Creator. We were designed to be connected with other people to fulfill the greatest commandment as based on the SHEMA as penned in Deuteronomy 6:4-7. This is a precept to the ‘greatest commandment’ which is a life long journey:
“You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
I am a daughter, wife, mother, sister, aunty, grandma, friend- who is a passionate visionary- communicator- peacemaker and mentor who’s foundations are based on the principles of Jesus Christ. I am a truth seeker and grace giver.
I grew up Lutheran, (my husband grew up in a Ukrainian Catholic Church.) I memorized the Apostles and Nicene Creed as we’d recite it at most services. Little did I know the rich statements that my young impressionable mind was saying, but not fully knowing at the time. We are currently members at a Mennonite Brethren Church in Saskatoon SK, but serving interdenominationally- I have been exposed to a variety of denominational “Flavours” or perspectives and have come to appreciate the diversity in the Church, the Body of Christ. As imperfect and broken as she is, we follow the only One who was perfect and is perfect who walked the face of this earth: Jesus Christ himself.
As I plugged away at my degree through the years while raising daughters and serving in our community, the daunting task of writing a detailed personalized statement of faith upon graduation was at first a gruelling task, and in the end I appreciated the push to defend or state what I believe and why. We were to take a detailed statement of faith from a church or denomination that we are currently associated with.
The syllabus asked that I write a statement on God (who He is, e.g., Trinity; and what He does) the person and work of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit , the human condition , salvation (justification and sanctification) , the nature and work of the church (including statements on baptism and the Lord’s Supper) , Scripture and last things.
I was involved with confirming a statement of faith for the first organization I founded (Women’s Journey of Faith) in its formative stages in 1999 with other likeminded believers from different denominations. The second organization I founded was also birthed from a Christ centered focus with a faith statement and core values based on scripture as it formed in 2015 with an even more diverse group of men and women believers. Hope Restored Canada has needed to shift to more broad based Philosophy statement in its guiding principles as it addresses sex trafficking/ sexual exploitation from a humanitarian lens involving people from various belief systems. How organizations continue with leaders coming and going- it is important for them to revisit the founding premise and keep leaders accountable to the “why” they exist. Otherwise, the mission can become a slavedriver and vision and values are lost in busywork without passion and purpose.
Going through the highs and lows of organizational development- working with diverse perspectives, gifts, talents- I too went through my own dark night of the soul as a leader and worked with a coach to develop my own personal vision, mission, values statements as to “Who is JodI” with or without an org to lead or associate with.
Why is This important?
It’s important to know who you are, what you believe and why. This helps us to navigate the terrain of life and all the complex issues we face personally, as a family, in our relationships and in our world. The old saying “If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything” is so telling. What is your root system for your beliefs? Is it bearing good fruit in your life? When our soul has an anchor, we can weather the storms of life with greater confidence. For me, that anchor is Jesus Hebrews 6:19) and as I attempt to follow Christ and be led by God’s Spirit, I have peace in knowing Jesus has already overcome the world. (John 16:13). Now that’s good news to my soul. How about you?
If you’d like to read my assignment for that class, I am open to sharing it upon request.
My statement of faith is based on the foundation of God’s Holy Word and my own personal experiences and current worldview. Do I understand the Bible in full? No. But by Faith, I accept it as one of the primary ways God speaks to His creation. (The other ways being Creation itself, people, spiritual disciplines, Jesus, The Holy Spirit/signs and wonders, and our personal experiences). Here’s some key verses to reflect on the importance of God’s word as the bases of a statement of faith if you are a follower of Christ:
John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
John 1:14 “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
2 Timothy 3:16 -” All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness”
Isaiah 55:11 -” So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”
Romans 10:17 - “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
Matthew 24:35 - “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”
Hebrews 4:12-14 -” For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
I hope you found this helpful in learning about statement of faiths and world-views. This blog was simply a way to help share my own views on the journey thus far with hopes to help you grow in your own. Reach out if you have any questions about this post or others! If this topic is just too heavy for you at this time, let the words of this song “I Will Carry You” minister to your soul:
