What We Believe
Our Statement of Faith
Love, Inc is a diverse partnership between local churches and rather than focus on theological differences, we focus on our shared belief in Christ, our Savior, and use the Apostles’ Creed as our unifying statement of faith.
Since the beginning of the Love In the Name of Christ movement in 1977, Christ has been central to bringing together a broad base of Christian churches in a community to minister to the needs of that community. Together, these local Christian churches focus not on theological or doctrinal differences, denominational practices, political or social agendas, but on our shared belief in the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, manifested in a shared outreach to local neighbors in need. Working in a coordinated way, these churches actively demonstrate love In the Name of Christ.
The Apostles’ Creed (A Modern Translation)
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day He rose again.
He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy universal Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Why the Apostles’ Creed?
A creed is simply a statement of faith. The English word creed comes from the Latin word credo, meaning, ‘I believe.’ When asked by Jesus Christ, “Who do you say that I am?” the Apostle Peter’s response was his creed: “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”
The earliest trace of the Apostles’ Creed goes back to the late first and early second century A.D. It was called “Apostles’ Creed,” not because the apostles themselves wrote it (although some people may have thought this), but because the Creed was believed to be an accurate summary of what the apostles taught. For this reason, and to identify unity in Christ, the LoveINC Movement’s local affiliates use the Apostles’ Creed for network churches to discern and accept one another, and to invite additional Christian churches to partner in this ministry In the Name of Christ.
Statement on Scripture
Love In the Name of Christ identifies only the Old Testament* and the New Testament, commonly known as the Bible, as Holy Scripture. LoveINC acknowledges, as do Christian churches of all traditions, that the canon is closed, thereby excluding any additional writings from the past or present.
*LoveINC recognizes that the Old Testament canon is defined differently among Protestants, Catholics, and Orthodox. Nevertheless, all three traditions hold that Scripture consists of the Old and New Testaments, and that the canon is closed.
Statement on Poverty
Those experiencing poverty fall into three general categories:
1. those who are unable to help themselves;
2. those who are able and willing to help themselves; and,
3. those who are able but unwilling to help themselves.
Each of these categories requires a different approach for leading that person out of poverty. LoveINC believes there is a place for transformational relational ministry in each of these categories.
LoveINC seeks to bring the opportunity for not only meeting tangible physical needs but also relationships based on the love of Christ. We seek to relationally connect with individuals and families so that our assistance becomes transformational in nature.
