The Kyodan Shinseikai is a group of churches and mission stations belonging to the United Church of Christ in Japan, with roots in the overseas missions of Northern American Baptists. The Kyodan Shinseikai is a cooperative organization based on the autonomy of each individual church, with the main purpose of mutual training and cooperation regarding Baptism. We believe that preserving and developing the traditions cultivated by the Baptist church and advocating for them within the United Church of Christ in Japan will contribute to forming a richer unified denomination. We declare below what we value in order for the churches of the Kyodan Shinseikai, together with believers and clergy who have grown up under diverse denominational traditions, to build contemporary churches and fulfill their missionary mission.

 

1. We value the “baptism of believers,”

We value the conscious and independent confession of faith of each believer, who relies solely on the Word of God in the Bible.

 

2. We value the autonomy of each church and cherish the faith-based decisions of each church.

We do not recognize any authority that stands above individual churches.

 

3. We value congregationalism, based on the principle of priesthood for all believers.

The church is a community of believers called together by God, and the clergy also take the position of being believers themselves.

 

General Meeting of the Renewal Association of the Religious Organization, held on June 24, 2023