Statement of Faith
We believe in one all-powerful, good God who epitomizes love. In Jesus of Nazareth, God's son, the highest revelation of God.
We believe that God's perfect plan as described in the teachings of Jesus, reported in the Bible is for all people, and all will eventually come to restoration.
We believe the Holy Spirit of God, the Counselor, teaches and directs us individually and corporately to fulfill God's purposes and that each person must follow this leading as each is capable of discerning. No one should attempt to supercede this process or to impose their interpretation on another.
How We Work
We hold that God leads his church directly, therefore, no one may assume authority over another in regard to spiritual practice, congregational affairs, or individual behavior. We may counsel and advise when welcomed, but we trust that ultimately God will guide each of us.
Affiliation is an act of conscience. To be Freeborn, you simply have to claim it. We practice in various ways, but the one defining factor is that we openly seek to understand Truth and Goodness and then to act on it, as God leads each of us to do. This is what it means to be Freeborn.
Some people do choose to gather, to share, to read the Bible, to meditate or pray. The defining factor is NO ONE LEADS. All have opportunity to participate, explore, or not.
Affiliation
If you wish to be formally recognized as a Freeborn Follower of Jesus, simply fill in the form here.
Organization
Ideas affecting the group may be proposed by any affiliated person and must be discussed among all immediately affected members. Those who agree are free to proceed. But no proposal can bind any unwilling party. Affiliation does not require participation. Neither affiliation nor participation grants authority to speak on behalf of the organization.
While no one holds authority over another, certain functions require public witness and continuity. As we do not recognize pastors or elders as authoritative roles, we ordain Brothers and Sisters of the faith. Ordained Brothers and Sisters may perform weddings, funerals, baptisms, and participate in ordinations. Brothers and Sisters are strictly forbidden from accepting money for any service. Ordination does not entitle anyone to speak on behalf of the Freeborn organization. That can only be done by the Officers of the organization, as defined in the Charter.
Any affiliated member may be nominated for ordination by a Brother or Sister. Three Brothers and Sisters in a congregation will discuss the good standing of the nominee in regard to the Charter of the Freeborn Followers of Jesus. If all feel the nominee has demonstrated the principles of the Statement of Faith, they will confer ordination.
If a nominee accepts, a letter of ordination will be signed by those Brothers and Sisters. A copy of the letter will be provided to the newly ordained and filed in the official archive of the Freeborn Followers of Jesus.