THE SHANDON CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH 

God created all that exists, and created everything in such a way that it is good. Along with creation, God made humans in His own image—fearfully and wonderfully made—to be stewards of His creation and to be givers of life.

In their freedom as images of God, humans gave birth to sin and evil in the perversion of their goodness. While still essentially good, humans have the capacity for great evil even in their best intentions. The flourishing of sin, evil, and pride in the world have rendered the world fallen and bound to the chains of its own making; in the absence of goodness, injustice thrives, dehumanization reigns, and humans are in dire need of a Savior.

The role of clergy is not to be a referee of doctrines, but a midwife of biblical wisdom; to come alongside the parishioner in their exploration of biblical truths and the ways of Christ. The minister is to equip people with the tools and knowledge necessary to travel on their spiritual journey at their own pace, and to cultivate spaces and a community where such growth can abound. The essential component to this journey is a conviction that faith precedes understanding.