Congregationalists historically have subscribed to no creeds and adhered to no statements of belief. However, because many people ask what is significant and unique in the Congregational Way, the following general outline of Christian beliefs is presented. The Congregational Churches are wholly autonomous and self-governing, therefore no two will be exactly alike.
1. We believe in God, the Father, infinite in wisdom, goodness, and love.
2. We believe in Jesus Christ, the Son, our Lord and Savior, who for us and our salvation lived and died and rose again and lives forever more.
3. We believe in the Holy Spirit, who takes the things of Christ and reveals them to us, renewing, comforting, and inspiring the souls of men and women.
4. We recognize the Bible as the sufficient rule of Christian faith and practice.
5. We hold that living in accordance with the teachings of Jesus Christ is the true test of church membership.
6. We believe that each member of the Arena Congregational Church shall have the undisturbed right to follow the Word of God according to the dictates of his or her own conscience under the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit.
7. We are united in striving to know the will of God as taught in the Holy Scriptures, and in our purpose to walk in the ways of the Lord made known or to be made known to us.
8. We believe in prayer and that men, women, and children can, through the development of a personal prayer life, have friendship with God and come to know him and his will more completely.
9. We believe in the Church as a company of those who believe in God as revealed in Jesus Christ.
10. We believe the Church is a means by which men and women can also come to better know God through its programs of worship, education and service.
11. We believe that men and women were created in the image of God and offered the opportunity to participate in the divine destiny and purpose for humankind which is our highest destiny to fulfill.
12. We hold it to be the mission of the Church of Christ to proclaim the gospel to all humankind, exalting the worship of the one true God, and laboring for the progress of knowledge, the promotion of justice, the reign of peace, and the realization of human kinship.
13. We believe in depending, as did our fathers and mothers, upon the continued guidance of the Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth.
14. We are working and praying for the transformation of the world into the kingdom of God.
15. We are looking in faith for the triumph of righteousness and the life everlasting.
If you would like further, please, contact the Rev. Leslie R. Shultz II, Home phone, 608.574-0707. E-mail: les@lesandhelga.com