Our MANIFESTO

We are a community of believers who worship Jesus Christ. We believe that the way we treat each other is the fullest expression of our faith in Christ. We find value in the diversity of each other’s spiritual journeys, and as such, you can ask any two people at Cedarbridge what they believe about this or that and you will hear varied stories from God’s beloved. Because we believe that God meets with and works through all people individually, you won’t find us telling anyone what they have to believe. That being said, here are some things you will hear at Cedarbridge.

The Short Story

God loves us, created us, and has called us to be co-creators. God sent Jesus to be born on Earth, Jesus gives us an example of how to live, and ultimately, it is because of Jesus' resurrection that we have the chance to fully live with God. We believe that following Jesus isn't just about getting to Heaven, but helping Heaven come to Earth.

A Bit More Explanation

God

God loves us, created us in the Divine image, and has called us to be co-creators, living lives that draw others to the freedom and fullness that God provides. The many names given to God in scripture reveal God’s character as Creator, Lord, Healer, Holy One, and Redeemer. We know God through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God’s Son.

Jesus

God sent Jesus to live on this earth and in Jesus we see the fullness of God’s character, heart, and holiness revealed to humanity, being both fully human and fully divine. All humanity has been redeemed through Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection. Jesus gives us an example of how to live. As we follow the path of Christ we become aware of the sacred holiness, liberation, and abundant grace given to all. Following Jesus isn't just about getting to Heaven, but helping Heaven come to Earth.

The Trinity

The Triune God (God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit) was present at creation and is evident all throughout scripture. We trust and rely on the Holy Spirit to enable us to participate in God’s movement here on Earth.

Humanity

Humanity bears the divine image of God, and we are God’s beloved children. We affirm the priesthood of believers, meaning that each person has the right and ability to relate to God on their own. We value each individual’s spiritual journey and giftedness, and think that living life together helps us be the diverse and sacred community we were called to be.

The Bible

The Bible is a divinely inspired and unified story pointing to Jesus, and as such we aim to read the Bible with a Jesus-centered lens. God inspired real people to author the collection of writings we now know as the Bible and through it, we get an inside look at individuals throughout history as they journeyed to know God better, too. The many genres and writings that make up the Bible make it a living and holy text that gives us wisdom and helps us see more clearly the heart of God.

Salvation

We were created in the divine image of God and our very core as humans is that we are God’s beloved. Yet, we lose track of our original blessing and belovedness, which results in the brokenness of sin for individuals and our world. We trust in Jesus' life, death, and resurrection as the way of redemption for all people from the brokenness of the world. Salvation is both a gift and a way to live, freely and abundantly, following the way of Christ. Because of Jesus, we can live fully with God.

Open Table Communion

We celebrate and remember Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection with an open table communal meal. Everyone, without exception, is invited to receive the bread and the cup, which for us is symbolic of the body and blood of Christ. We celebrate communion as the table of company with Jesus and all who love him, the table of sharing with the poor of the world, with whom Jesus identified, and the table of communion with the earth, in which Christ became incarnate.

Baptism

We baptize believers through immersion at periodic and celebratory baptismal services. God has redeemed all people through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, and that baptism is an outward and public sign of the grace that we have received.