Spirit of the Moravian Church
There are 5 characteristics which we hold dear in the Moravian Church. They make us unique as we do not consider ourselves liberal or conservative, rich or poor. All beliefs are welcome, so long as the most important part is that you continue to grow in your faith.
Simplicity: A focus on the essentials of faith and a lack of interest in the niceties of doctrinal definition. One of our denominations important early leaders once remarked: "The Apostles say: 'We believe we have salvation through the grace of Jesus Christ...' If I can teach only that concept, I have made that person a divinity scholar for all time." From simplicity flow secondary qualities of genuineness and practicality.
Happiness: The natural and spontaneous response to God's free and gracious gift of salvation.
Unintrusiveness: Based on the Moravian belief that God positively wills the existence of a variety of churches to cater for different spiritual needs. There is no need to win converts from other churches. The source of Christian unity is not legal form, but everyone's heart relationship with Jesus.
Fellowship: Based on this heart relationship; the Moravian ideal has been to gather together kindred hearts... Where there are 'Christian hearts in love united', there fellowship is possible in spite of differences of intellect and intelligence, of thought, opinion, taste and outlook.
The Ideal of Service: This is the happily having the attitude of a servant. This shows itself partly in faithful service in various roles within congregations, but more importantly in service of the world by the tireless service in the needs of others. Historically, this has been evident in educational and missionary work.
Simplicity: A focus on the essentials of faith and a lack of interest in the niceties of doctrinal definition. One of our denominations important early leaders once remarked: "The Apostles say: 'We believe we have salvation through the grace of Jesus Christ...' If I can teach only that concept, I have made that person a divinity scholar for all time." From simplicity flow secondary qualities of genuineness and practicality.
Happiness: The natural and spontaneous response to God's free and gracious gift of salvation.
Unintrusiveness: Based on the Moravian belief that God positively wills the existence of a variety of churches to cater for different spiritual needs. There is no need to win converts from other churches. The source of Christian unity is not legal form, but everyone's heart relationship with Jesus.
Fellowship: Based on this heart relationship; the Moravian ideal has been to gather together kindred hearts... Where there are 'Christian hearts in love united', there fellowship is possible in spite of differences of intellect and intelligence, of thought, opinion, taste and outlook.
The Ideal of Service: This is the happily having the attitude of a servant. This shows itself partly in faithful service in various roles within congregations, but more importantly in service of the world by the tireless service in the needs of others. Historically, this has been evident in educational and missionary work.
