God calls the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to be the body of Christ in this
world and to make Christ known. Jesus Christ is the vine and we are the
branches; apart from Him we can do nothing (John 15:5). Therefore, health
and growth in the Presbyterian body begins with calling people to life in
Christ, through the work of the Holy Spirit.
Human sinfulness severed the relationship with God for which humankind
was created, resulting in a separation beyond repair apart from divine
initiative. Thus the urgency of the good news: God took the initiative
in sending Jesus Christ to this earth "to seek out and save the lost" (Luke
19:10). Jesus Christ came to call all peoples to repent and become his
disciples, for "There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name
under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12).
This good news of God's reconciling love in Christ calls for an active
response of faith, which includes a personal commitment to Jesus as Savior and
Lord expressed in corporate involvement in the church, his body, and obedient
service in the world. Without this response the work of restoration
remains unfulfilled; the branch still remains apart from the vine.
Through faith, relationship with the living God is restored, "for by grace you
have been saved through faith..." (Ephesians 2:8)
The restored relationship with the living God accomplished in Jesus
Christ provides the ultimate source of joy, healing, wholeness, and life.
Thus the urgent calling of God upon the whole church is to proclaim in word
and deed "the gospel for the salvation of humankind..." (Book of Order
G-1.0200) as the only source of abundant life and eternal hope.