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 and only means of salvation.
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
Since God actively leads his own church, no one may assume authority over another in regard to congregational affairs, or individual behavior. We may counsel and advise, but we trust that ultimately God will guide each of us.
Congregations gather to read the Bible and discuss one chapter at a time, through a mutually selected book. No one leads. All have opportunity to read and comment. Singing, prayer and discussion are encouraged as the group feels led by God to do.
Decisions regarding congregational affairs may be proposed by any member and must be discussed among all members of a congregation. Those who agree are free to proceed. But no proposal can bind any unwilling party.
Membership
People who wish to be confirmed make it known in a meeting that contains at least one ordained Brother or Sister. That Brother or Sister will confirm before the congregation that the applicant agrees with all points of the Statement of Faith. If the applicant has not been baptized elsewhere or wishes to do so again, the applicant will then immediately be baptized with water in whatever means is at hand, confirming the applicant as a professing member in the sight of God, Jesus the Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
Organizers
As we do not recognize pastors or elders as authoritative roles, we only ordain Brothers and Sisters of the faith.
Members of at least 1 year in a congregation may be nominated for ordination by a Brother or Sister. The 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, in good faith, 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 and made available to the congregation. A copy of the letter will be provided to the newly ordained and filed in the official archive of the Freeborn Followers of Jesus.
Ordained Brothers and Sisters may perform weddings, funerals, baptisms, and participate in ordinations. New congregations may only be started by an ordained Brother or Sister.