THEOLOGICAL STATEMENT

We Believe

While we are a presbyterian congregation, every believer that has genuine faith in Christ is welcome here.*

Together, we all adhere to the Apostles’ Creed:

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived of the Holy Spirit, And born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; He descended to hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will 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.

**that is, the true Christian church of all times and all places.

VALUES

Gospel Trust

Life together at Koinonia begins and ends with the good news of Jesus Christ. We believe God the Father sent his Son in the flesh to restore a ruined world from death unto life. He walks with us still through the power of his Spirit. He has come to make all things new, breaking the power of sin to control us, the presence of sin to corrupt us, and the penalty of sin to condemn us. We trust in his steadfast love.

Healing Belonging

Jesus is a refuge for world-weary people. So we seek to create safety for one another. Safety for all who have been harmed and marginalized. Safety for all who are exhausted and discouraged. Safety for all who know too well that they cannot fix themselves. We are quick to listen. We embrace boundaries and repentance as essential to community. And we receive one another as the Beloved of Christ—for that is who we are. When everyone has a place at the table, we flourish together. 

Reimagined Power

The Lord of all Creation washed his disciples’ feet. He said, “The last shall be first.” He used his power to become a servant of all, proclaim good news to the poor, and give freedom to the oppressed. At Koinonia, we pursue his unexpected vision for the Kingdom of God. We practice leadership as responsible care. We elevate the needs, causes, and voices of those most overlooked, oppressed, and unheard. We protect the vulnerable. We seek to do the work of justice together.

Grace-Inspired Humility

Anything good in us is because of Jesus. He is all our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. It is only by his grace that our thoughts, words, and deeds begin to look more like his. At Koinonia, we remind ourselves and one another that we need him every moment. Remembering our reliance on his grace moves us to respond in gratitude and adoration toward God and humility and compassion toward our neighbors.

Spirit-Fueled Prayer

Jesus teaches us to pray to our Father, while the Spirit intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. In his complete knowledge of us, he welcomes us to “tell the truth on ourselves.” So we seek him in prayer, trusting him to catch our tears, receive our anger, calm our fears, guide our steps, and sustain our Gospel-born joy. He meets us. He convicts our spirit. He renews our hope. He reminds us of his truth. And he leads us, at last, to hearts of worship brimming with hallelujahs.

Cross-Cultural Equity

As a brown-skinned Jewish rabbi, Jesus knew both oppression and privilege. Yet, he did not live into the role expected of him. He brought a better Kingdom to earth and welcomed anyone willing to join him. Under his reign, those exalted by the world are humbled, and those humiliated by the world are exalted. So at Koinonia, we seek to follow Jesus in creating equity in our church and in our city. We honor the full identity and cultural heritage of one another and work toward advancing a more just society.