Beliefs & Practices

Denomination & Diocese

Church of the Good Shepherd is in the process of formally joining the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) and the Diocese of the Rocky Mountains (DRM).

What We Believe

We confess and believe that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. He is the Good Shepherd of the sheep. We declare, with the Apostle Peter, “Lord to whom else shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

As Anglicans, our beliefs and practices connect us to the church throughout history—One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. Specifically, we affirm:

The Bible

The Bible as the inspired Word of God, containing all things necessary for salvation, and is the final authority and unchangeable standard for Christian faith and life.

The Liturgical Heritage

The liturgical and sacramental heritage of the gospel passed down through the 1662 Book of Common Prayer and faithfully preserved in the 2019 ACNA Book of Common Prayer (BCP).

The Creeds

The orthodox Christian creeds of the undivided Christian church: namely the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed.

The Jerusalem Declaration

The Jerusalem Declaration from the Global Anglican Futures Conference (GAFCON) as protecting the orthodox Anglican heritage.

The Thirty Nine Articles

The Thirty-Nine Articles as expressing the fundamental principles of authentic Anglican belief.

Historic Church Order

The godly historic Episcopate (recognizing the offices of bishop, presbyter, and deacon) as an inherent part of the apostolic faith and practice, and therefore as integral to the fullness and unity of the Body of Christ.

Good Shepherd Core Values

Repentance

We desire to be a people defined by turning to Christ and to one another.

Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2)

Gratitude

All of life is a gift from the God who gives generously to his children. We ought to respond with thanksgiving!

“…giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20)

Singing

We sing in order to be formed and shaped in the love of Christ.

Let the word of Christ dwell in your richly…singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs” (Colossians 3:16)

Hospitality & Generosity

As we are recipients of God’s hospitality and generosity, we, in turn are called to act like our Father.

Let love be genuine…Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.” (Romans 12:9;13)

Feasting

In Christ Jesus, we have victory over sin and death. Thus, we ought to be a people defined by celebration and gladness.

Blessed are all those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb” (Revelation 19:9)

Formation

We desire to not be infants in faith and formation, but to cultivate the way of Jesus in our lives through teaching, prayer, fellowship, and the historic rhythms of the church.

And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” (Colossians 3:14)