The Focal Identity Statement task group has released a new draft of the Confession of Faith - Kupu Whakapono. You can see the new suggested text, along with some alternatives, below. The changes from the version presented to GA08 are in blue.

Task group convenor the Rev Richard Dawson is seeking feedback from the wider Church on the Confession. You can provide the feedback on this website, by email, or you can write to Presbyterian Confession, c/- Leith Valley Presbyterian Church, 267 Malvern St, Leith Valley, Dunedin 9010.

Kupu Whakapono

From this land of Aotearoa New Zealand
we declare that we believe in and belong
to the one true and living God,
who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Possible alternative (A) for Stanza 3

We believe in Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour,
truly human and truly divine.
He lived among us full of grace and truth,
for our sin he was crucified
and by the power of God was raised from the grave,
Forgiving us, setting us free and bringing to birth God's new creation.
Now ascended, he calls us to repentance and faith,
and restores us to God and to one another.

Possible alternative (B) for Stanza 3

We believe in Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour,
truly human and truly divine.
He lived among us full of grace and truth.
For our sin and for our forgiveness he was crucified
And by the power of God was raised from the grave
Setting us free and bringing to birth God's new creation.
Now ascended, he calls us to repentance and faith,
and restores us to God and to one another.

We believe in God the Holy Spirit
who makes Christ known,
inspired the Scriptures
transforms hearts and minds,
gathers us into the community of Christ
and empowers/strengthens/nourishes/enlivens/equips the Church in worship and mission.

We belong to this triune God
who calls us to new life in Christ,
to be with Israel God's own people, diversely gifted,
witnesses to God's love in word and action,
servants of reconciliation,
and stewards of Creation.

Brought together in Christ,
from every nation,
women and men,
young and old,
nga iwi katoa,
we look forward in hope and joy
to the return of Christ,
to the new heaven and earth
in which evil and death will be no more,
justice and peace will flourish,
and we shall forever sing praise to the glory of God.