First new draft

Confession of Faith

Kupu Whakapono

From this land of Aotearoa New Zealand
we confess that we believe in and belong
to the one true and living God,
who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

We believe in God the Father ,
sovereign and holy
Love above all loves,
Creator and Nurturer of all,
Father of Jesus Christ
Sender of the Holy Spirit
and Judge of all the earth.

We believe in Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour,
truly human and truly divine.
He lived among us full of grace and truth,
was crucified for our forgiveness,
and by the power of God was raised from the grave,
setting us free and bringing to birth God’s new creation.
Now ascended, he calls us to repentance and faith,
and restores us to God and to one another.

We believe in God the Holy Spirit
who makes Christ known,
inspired the Scriptures
and transforms hearts and minds,
who gathers us into the community of Christ
and sustains the Church in worship and in mission.

We belong to this triune God,
who calls us to new life in Christ,
to be God’s own people, diversely gifted,
witnesses to God’s love in word and action,
servants of reconciliation,
and stewards of Creation.

Brought together in Christ,
from many nations,
women and men,
young and old,
nga iwi katoa,
we look forward in hope and joy
to the return of Christ,
to the new heaven and earth
in which evil and death will be no more,
justice and peace will flourish,
and we shall forever sing praise to the glory of God.

ALTERNATIVE WORDING OFFERED (with alternative words in blue)

From this land of Aotearoa New Zealand
we declare that we believe in and belong
to the one true and living God,
who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

We believe in God the Holy Spirit
who makes Christ known,
inspired the Scriptures
transforms hearts and minds,
gathers us into the community of Christ
and empowers/strengthens/ nourishes/enlivens/equips the Church in worship and mission.

We belong to this triune God
who calls us to new life in Christ,
to be with Israel God’s own people, diversely gifted,
witnesses to God’s love in word and action,
servants of reconciliation,
and stewards of Creation.

Brought together in Christ,
from every nation,
women and men,
young and old,
nga iwi katoa,
we look forward in hope and joy
to the return of Christ,
to the new heaven and earth
in which evil and death will be no more,
justice and peace will flourish,
and we shall forever sing praise to the glory of God.