A Confessional Statement

The Sarasota Statement

At its 2017 National Gathering, NEXT Church released a new confessional statement in response to the current state of the church and world. It’s called the Sarasota Statement, and it was made possible by a partnership between NEXT Church and the Presbyterian Foundation. In 2020, in the wake of the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and too many others, as well as in light of the seismic challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic and other crises, the original writers of the Sarasota Statement gathered again virtually over a period of months to consider how they might reframe and re-engage the Sarasota Statement in the context of 2020. The result of their reconvening is a new prologue to the original statement, which speaks particularly to the changes of the last few years and our current realities.

We hope you’ll take the statement into your own life and context, using it as a tool to declare your own faith statement, proclaiming the light of Christ.

A person balances on a tightrope high above a city skyline, featuring the clock tower of the Palace of Westminster in London.

Read the Statement

We, a small and imperfect reflection of the church, gather in heart, mind, and body to search for words to speak our faith convictions in our particular cultural context: the hope we proclaim, the ways we fall short, and the actions to which we commit ourselves.

We are people of hope who confess Jesus Christ is Lord over a Kingdom in which no one is hungry, violence is no more, and all suffering is gone. All sit together around a shared table, wolves and lambs enjoy each other’s company, and every tear is wiped away from every eye…

READ THE FULL STATEMENT
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Meet the Writers

Eight people smiling indoors, standing together in front of wooden shelves with books. A clock is visible on the wall behind them.

A group of eight diverse participants in the Presbyterian Church (USA) gathered in Sarasota, Florida, on January 23-24, 2017. Together, the group wrote a first draft of a statement of faith. Over subsequent weeks, the group refined their work. The writers gathered again (virtually) in 2020 to add a Prologue.

Rev. Katherine Lee Baker

Rev. Katherine Lee Baker

Rev. Dr. Chris Currie

Rev. Dr. Chris Currie

Rev. Dr. Brandon Frick

Rev. Dr. Brandon Frick

Rev. Bertram Johnson

Rev. Bertram Johnson

Rev. Dr. Cynthia L. Rigby

Rev. Dr. Cynthia L. Rigby

Rev. Layton Williams

Rev. Layton Williams

Rev. Glen Bell*

Rev. Glen Bell*

Rev. Jessica Tate*

Rev. Jessica Tate*

Robert Hay, Jr.*

Robert Hay, Jr.*

*denotes convener

Study Guide

We hope you’ll take the Sarasota Statement into your own life and context, using it as a tool to declare your own faith statement, proclaiming the light of Christ. This study guide is offered by the writers of the Sarasota Statement and NEXT Church to facilitate the development of faith statements across the Church. We pray this guide will allow you to engage with the Sarasota Statement as you consider your own faith.

The guide is broken down into five parts: Preamble, Part I, Part II, Part III, and Closing. With the exception of Closing, each part contains multiple questions about biblical themes, theological themes, and contextual themes, drawing upon scripture, our confessional tradition, and our contemporary context to engage each part of the Sarasota Statement.

DOWNLOAD THE STUDY GUIDE

Background

On Tuesday, March 14, at the 2017 NEXT Church National Gathering, we released a new confessional statement in response to the current state of the church and world. It’s called the Sarasota Statement, and it was made possible by a partnership between NEXT Church and the Presbyterian Foundation.

Glen Bell, one of the conveners of the statement, has written more about the genesis of the Sarasota Statement.

READ MORE

Glen Bell, Layton Williams, and Bertram Johnson give background on the Sarasota Statement at the 2017 NEXT Church National Gathering.

More Resources

Social Media Graphics

Download these free graphics to use on your social media platforms. Enlarge the image and then right click to save.

Text on a dark brick wall expresses grief and repentance for societal injustices, emphasizing the persistence of brokenness. Labeled "The Sarasota Statement."
Text on a brick wall about commitment to justice, empowerment, and opposition to tyranny. Emphasizes love, denouncing nationalism. "The Sarasota Statement" included.
A statement about faith in Jesus Christ, emphasizing liberation, humility, and sacrifice, on a dark brick background with "The Sarasota Statement" text.
The image displays a statement against bigotry and violence, advocating inclusivity and healing, titled "The Sarasota Statement" on a dark brick background.
Text on a dark brick wall reads: "We acknowledge that there can be no reconciliation without reparations. The Sarasota Statement." Logo on the bottom.
A text on a brick background describes a call for the Church to act with faith, love, justice, and spiritual transformation.
Text on a dark brick wall expresses sorrow over societal divisions based on race, class, ideology, and belief. "The Sarasota Statement" is mentioned.
Text on a brick wall commits to equality, rejecting racism and dismantling white supremacy. Emphasizes community inclusivity. Titled "The Sarasota Statement."
White text on a black brick background emphasizes a message about truth and justice from "The Sarasota Statement," advocating for marginalized communities.
Text on a pink background stating everyone has the right to body integrity. Cites the Prologue of The Sarasota Statement.

Blog Posts from the Writing Team

Learn more about the Sarasota Statement with these blog posts from the writers.

P.O. Box 150003
Alexandria, VA 22315
info@nextchurch.net

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