By calling ourselves progressive Christians, we mean we are followers of Jesus’ way of being, who…

1. Trust that the SOURCE of ALL is the LOVE which we call “God”, in whom we live and move and have our being, we gather to nourish, ground, and sustain one another in our efforts to be LOVE in the world;
2. Believe that following the path of the teacher Jesus can lead to healing and wholeness, a mystical connection to “God,” as well as an awareness and experience of not only the SACRED, but the ONENESS and UNITY of all life;
3. Affirm that the teachings of Jesus provide but one of many ways to experience the SACREDNESS, ONENESS and UNITY of life, and that we can draw from diverse sources of wisdom, including Scriptures and Creation, in our spiritual journey;
4. Seek and create community that is inclusive of ALL people, including but not limited to:
   • Conventional Christians and questioning skeptics;
   • Believers, agnostics, and atheists;
   • Those of all races, cultures, and nationalities;
   • Those of all sexual orientations and all gender identities;
   • Those of all classes and abilities;
   • All creatures and plant life;
5. Know that the way we behave towards one another and the Earth is the fullest expression of what we believe, therefore we strive to walk as Jesus might have walked in this world with radical compassion, inlusion, and courage to confront and positively change the injustices we experience as well as those we see others experiencing;
6. Find grace in the search for understanding and believe there is more value in questioning with an open mind and open heart, than in absolutes or dogma;
7. Work toward peace and justice among all people and all life on Earth;
8. Work to protect and restore the integrity of our Earth and all of Creation;
9. Commit to a path of life-long learning, compassion, and selfless love on this journey toward a personally authentic and meaningful faith which embodies the LOVE that is God.

Progressive Christianity explained by HCLC retired pastor Dawn Hutchings