Beliefs & Practices

The Anglican Heritage

C.S. Lewis described Mere Christianity not as the lowest common denominator of faith — a watered-down version everyone can agree on — but as "something positive, self-consistent, and inexhaustible." It names the deep, shared core of Christian belief that has endured across centuries and across the many tragic divisions of the Church.

At Good Shepherd, we are a conservative-minded church that is firmly planted in that ancient faith — holding to the things the Church has always and everywhere taught, believed, and practiced (mere Christianity). We think of this as a "small-c catholicity": a generous confidence in the essentials of the faith, and an openness toward fellow Christians who, as Lewis put it, simply occupy different rooms in the same great house.

This is the kind of Christianity we're trying to live — a faith rooted in the God who made us, the Christ who saved us, and the Spirit who is even now making us new.

“To be Anglican is not to embrace a distinct version of Christianity, but a distinct way of being a ‘Mere Christian,’ at the same time evangelical, apostolic, catholic, reformed, and Spirit-filled.”

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The Bible

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

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The Creeds

We confess the orthodox faith passed down to us through the creeds of the undivided Christian church: namely the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed.

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The Thirty Nine Articles

We affirm the Thirty-Nine Articles (a Reformational statement of faith) as expressing the fundamental principles of authentic Anglican belief.

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The Liturgical Heritage

We uphold 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).

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The Jerusalem Declaration

We affirm the Jerusalem Declaration from the Global Anglican Futures Conference (GAFCON) which protects the orthodox Anglican heritage.

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).

Good Shepherd Core Values

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)