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What We Believe |
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A Protestant Church of the Moravian denomination serving North-West Calgary |
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Good Shepherd is part of the Moravian Church, a world-wide Protestant denomination that dates back over 550 years.
A Basic Motto In accepting other creeds of the Christian Church (such as the Apostles’ Creed, Nicene Creed, the Augsburg Confession) and in its practice, the Moravian Church has always stood by its motto:
What is the Moravian Church?
Rather than concentrating on divisive doctrines, the Moravian Church preaches the basics of the faith, which all Christians share in common. Moravians are encouraged to live out their faith through service to those in need. Our mission work has concentrated on the poor and the powerless, and groups largely unreached by other denominations.
The Moravian Church was organized in 1457 by the followers of the martyr John Hus, as the Unity of Brethren. The denomination came to be known as the "Moravian" Church many years later, in the Eighteenth Century, because most of its members came from the province of Moravia, now the Czech Republic. The Moravian Church has often stood at the forefront of the Protestant world. The denomination was among the first to publish the Bible in the common language, and the first to print common language hymnals. They were early in their emphasis on educating women as well as men; and they were pioneers of the Protestant mission movement. Moravians have worked for Christian unity throughout their history, and are founding members of the World Council of Churches and the National Council of Churches.
For more on what is the Moravian Church, click here.
What We Believe
The Moravian Church has stood for basic religious principles for more than 550 years. Through these years the Church has often put into written form the precepts of its faith and practice in what is know as the “Covenant for Christian Living.” Moravians recognize the example of Christ’s life and proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord. Living the Christian life depends not only on our own effort, but upon God our Father, who in Jesus Christ accepts us as heirs of God and strengthens and sustains us.
The Sacraments The Moravian Church recognizes the sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion. In Baptism we are united with Christ in His death and resurrection, so we have died to sin and should walk in newness of life. We realize that our Christian faith must continually be nourished if it is to remain living and vital. Therefore, we desire to grow in our Christian lives through family devotions, personal prayer and study, and the opportunities for spiritual development offered by the Church.
We deem it a sacred responsibility and genuine opportunity to be faithful stewards of all God has entrusted to us: our time, our talents, and our financial resources. We view all of life as a sacred trust to be used wisely.
Realizing that God has called us from many and varied backgrounds, we recognize the possibility of disagreements or differences. Often these differences enrich the Church, but sometimes they divide. We consider it to be our responsibility to demonstrate within this congregational life the unity and togetherness created by God who made us one. How well we accomplish this will be a witness to our community as to the validity of our faith.
Moravians support collegial experiences with children of God in other Christian churches, and carefully avoid all disputes, respecting opinions and ceremonies peculiar to one or another church. We recognize that through the grace of Christ different denominations have received many gifts and that the Church of Christ may be enriched by these many and varied contributions. It is our desire that we may learn from one another and rejoice together in the riches of the love of Christ and the manifold wisdom of God.
We welcome every step that brings us nearer the goal of unity in Him. In this fellowship we cooperate with other churches in the support of public charities or Christian enterprises, which have a just claim upon us as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ.
For more on what we believe, click here.
A strong commitment to a Biblical faith inherited from ancient Unitas Fratrum and a zeal for mission work that came with the eighteenth century renewal of the Church remain as hallmarks of the Moravian Church today.
Education has always played a vital part in Moravian church life. Moravian schools and some colleges are found in Germany, England, and the United States as well as in mission fields. Strong Christian educational programs are an integral part of each congregation’s life. Camps, conferences, and retreats are held in each area of the church for children, youth, and adults.
Worship in the Moravian tradition has strong emphasis on a rich musical heritage. The liturgies of the Church follow the seasons of the Church Year. The Moravian Lovefeast is a service of song with simple sharing of some elements of food. The Christmas Eve candle service and the Easter Dawn worship are annual highlights for congregational worship. A personal devotional guide called The Daily Texts has been published for over 270 years.
Mission activity remains a strength for the Moravian Church. Moravian work is found on all major continents except Australia (and the Church pioneered mission endeavors on that continent). The worldwide Moravian Unity binds together those areas once known as mission fields with the North American, British, and Continental (European) provinces (Church regions). Strong international ties are fostered through the Unity Synod which meets every 7 years.
Social reforms have been a continuing concern for the denomination as it has championed the cause of oppressed peoples and has sough for other reforms along with many other religious groups. Care for the aging is evidenced by modern well-equipped homes, which have been established in each region of the Church.
Ecumenical cooperation with other faiths is a strong practice of the Church. The Moravian Church is a charter member of the World Council of Churches.
Parish life of each congregation is the mainstay of the Moravian Church. Its churches seek to serve the communities in which they are located with vital programs for children, youth, and adults. The Church stands ready to be of help to any who would seek its ministry in a needy world.
For more information about our denomination, please go to:
Moravian Church in North America
Contents © 2001-2011 The Moravian Church in North America |
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Sunday Worship 10:00am Our Address: Church Admin, Rentals |
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The Moravian (Advent) Star The 26-point lighted stars, symbolizing Christ as the Light of the world, are hung in Moravian churches and homes. Their beauty is universal and they also appear in non-Moravian homes and establishments. The stars most likely originated in a Moravian school in Niesky Germany in the 1850's. |
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The Moravian Seal The seal is of the Moravian Church. The image at the center dates back to the 1500s, and is referred to as the Agnus Dei — Latin for “Lamb of God.” The lamb, who represents Jesus Christ, holds a staff with a banner representing victory. |
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