Dr. Lee’s Statement of Faith

I place my life and trust in the one triune God who exists eternally as Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. God created the world and breathed life into humankind, imparting in every person a reflection of the divine. God extended relationship with the world through these creative acts and delighted in creation, calling it “very good.” Humanity’s relationship to God was broken by sin, by our will to live according to what is right in our eyes. Though we have turned away, God extends mercy and desires our return.

Jesus is the incarnation of God’s mercy. I believe in Jesus Christ, God in human form, who was born into the world to reconcile humanity to God. Dwelling among people, Jesus proclaimed the kin-dom of God: preaching good news to the poor and release to the captive, forgiving sinners, healing the sick and raising the dead. Yet, the world did not recognize him and condemned him for blasphemy. Jesus was crucified on the cross, and he gave his sinless life for the sins of the world. Jesus rose from the dead, breaking the power of sin and death. Through Jesus Christ we are welcomed into a new covenant of grace. We no longer need to strive toward God fearfully obeying the demands of the law. God has come toward us, loving us first, while we were still sinners.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, who gives the gift of faith to respond to God’s mercy with thanksgiving and sanctifies us to live as God’s people. The Holy Spirit gives us courage to pray, joy in worship, and gifts for service. The Holy Spirit dwells in me, sustaining me with comfort and counsel in this life and with hope for life eternal.

The Holy Spirit equips the Church to participate in Christ’s ongoing life and work. As the body of Christ, the Church is sent to bear witness to the good news of God’s reconciling love, offering to all the grace of God at font and table, inviting all people to discipleship in Christ, devoting to peacemaking and justice-seeking work.

I believe the Church is universal, and it exists where the Word is faithfully proclaimed, and the sacraments rightly administered. I believe that Scripture is the inspired divine written revelation of God’s nature and will. I trust in the authority of Scripture and seek to make meaning of my life with Scripture’s guidance. In reading and hearing of the scriptures, the Church relies on the Holy Spirit to illumine our hearts to encounter Jesus Christ, the Living Word.

I believe that the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are visible signs of God’s grace. Baptism seals our identity as God’s beloved, and we are called to a new way of life as Christ’s disciples. The Lord’s Supper is a gift extended to believers for the strengthening of our faith. When we receive the bread and wine, we are united with Christ by the work of the Holy Spirit. With great thanksgiving, we join the communion of saints at this joyful feast.

Trusting in God’s grace, with the help of the Spirit, I will follow Christ to love all people.