The Creed of Piedmont Community Church (1910)
In 1910, a group of PCC’s founding members gathered together to compose a Creed. The words reflect both the inclusive vision and the enduring mission that have guided our church for over 100 years.
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We favor a sane, simple and earnest piety, free alike from cant and extravagance. We assume no right to dictate to another his creed, but with charity for one another’s individual peculiarities of belief, we unite on the broad basis of the Christian religion as expressed in the following statements:
God – We believe in God as the great Father of us all, who reveals Himself supremely in the person of His Son Christ Jesus our Lord, to whose life and character the Scriptures bear witness; and whose Holy Spirit continually upholds and guides all His children.
Ourselves – We believe in trying to realize within ourselves lives of goodness, beauty, strength, and peace; and that the noblest career is one of mutual trust and helpfulness, after the example of Him who “went about doing good.”
Others – But, besides believing that the principles of Christianity tend to the highest perfection of personal character, we hold that they make possible the greatest peace and happiness of communities, and that their hearty adoption would solve all the domestic and social problems of cities, states or nations.
The Past – We revere the past, but cannot fight again its battles. Our religion is not a thing of history, but a reality to be experienced now in fellowship with God and with one another.
The Future – We believe in a heaven hereafter and seek to anticipate it here and now by obedience to its laws and the appropriation of its spirit.
The Sacraments – We receive the sacraments of Baptism and Communion and hold that baptism should be administered in such mode as the applicant prefers, and that the privileges of the Lord’s Supper should be open to all who call themselves by His name.
We cordially invite all who sympathize with our aim, of whatever sect or of none and who are willing to cooperate with us in the spirit of Jesus for the help of one another and for the salvation of mankind, to join with us in our work and worship.