...that all may have life, and have it abundantly...
As Christians, we often struggle with the call to social ministry that resounds within our tradition. What does it mean to be a Christian in contemporary society, and how are we to live out the true meaning of our beliefs? In the early part of the last century, church leaders in the United States grappled with these questions as we do now. In 1908, the Social Creed was written and endorsed by the Federal Council of Churches (now the National Council of Churches). It supported a vision of a church actively involved in the world, and participating vitally in efforts to bring about social justice.
In 2006, the Presbyterian Church (USA) asked the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy to work on updating the 1908 Creed for today's world. At the 218th General Assembly (2008) the PCUSA endorsed the resulting document. Drawing on the Spirit of its predecessor, this creed again calls for the church to be a prophetic voice on issues of social justice.
We are excited to be in conversation around this compelling document -- and we look forward in faith to a Church re-invigorated in mission, claiming once again its prophetic voice.
