In the tradition of John Smyth (1612) and Thomas Helwys (1616), and other pioneers of religious liberty, we affirm:

• The Lordship of Jesus Christ;

• The centrality of the biblical message;

• The right and responsibility of all people to interpret the Scriptures as part of their life in the local church;

• The freedom and responsibility of churches and Christians to consider and articulate their own Christian identity;

• A thoroughgoing respect for religious liberty;

• The call of all Christians to ministry;

• The significance of mission efforts.