What We Believe

We believe first and foremost in the transformative power of Jesus Christ. We live out this transformation in our private and corporate lives. As one of our hymns says, “As Christ breaks bread and bids us, ‘Share,’ each proud division ends. That Love that made us makes us one, and strangers now are friends.” A depth to the faith can never be conveyed adequately on a website, but only by the faithful living of each member. While you might leave here with more questions than answers, know that your questions are welcome. If you want to experience and learn what we believe, come and join us for Sunday’s service or take advantage of the classes, we offer for a deep dive into everything faith in Christ has to offer.

We believe that God is the creator of the Heavens and the earth. That God is one God in three persons: The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. We believe that Jesus Christ is the incarnation of The Son and that in him, the fullness of God and humanity dwell in perfect harmony. We hold that the Council of Chalcedon (451, AD) is true, that Christ exists with two natures (Divine and Human) in one person. We believe that Jesus lived and died and was raised from death by God and that by his life, death, and resurrection, he has defeated death and made the whole creation new. We believe Christ ascended to the right hand of the Father, where he lives and reigns with the Father and The Holy Spirit as the King of the Universe. We believe that he will come again in glory and triumph, that the dead will be raised, that death will be put to death once and for all, that Justice will be done, and that all of creation will exist in perfect harmony with itself and its creator.

We believe in the power of prayer, the bond of community, the strength of faith, the joy of love and the duty of service. We follow the Great Commandment to love the Lord our God with all of our heart, mind, soul and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. We follow Christ’s new commandment to love one another as he has loved us. We know that we fail from time to time, but we have vowed to repent at each failure and to turn back to Christ as we put all of our trust in him. For a fuller examination of our beliefs, see our Catechism in the Book of Common Prayer.

We join together each week for corporate worship to receive Christ’s grace in The Holy Eucharist (also called Communion, the Lord’s Supper, Mass, The Divine Liturgy). This is our principal service each week, where we pray together, sing hymns, hear a sermon from our Rector (that’s a priest), and receive the Body and Blood of Christ, which nourishes us for our individual callings and ministries outside the church building. This sacrament is open to all baptized Christians, whether or not they are members of this church or belong to another communion. Receiving the sacrament is not necessary if you are not comfortable doing so, but we hope that you will join us.

 We hold the faith of the Apostles and confess that faith with two creeds. The Nicene Creed is said each Sunday at the Eucharist. And the Apostles’ Creed is said at least once every day when observing the daily prayers (called The Daily Office). All Episcopalians are encouraged to say the Office every day. It is comprised of four services that can be said with others, in church, at home, or by yourself. To learn more about the Office and how to say it, contact the Rector, or join us on our Facebook Page every day to hear one of the offices.

We believe that in Baptism we are “buried with Christ” as St. Paul says, that our sins are washed away, that we receive the grace of the Holy Spirit and become members of Christ’s body, the Church. We believe that the Eucharist is the real presence of Christ, that the elements of bread and wine become for us his body and blood, and that we are given grace to face the troubles of the world around us with hope and love. The sacrament of Baptism is open to all people. Baptisms are normally administered on four feast days and the Bishop’s annual visit. Those feast days are The Baptism of our Lord, The Easter Vigil, The Feast of Pentecost, and The Feast of All Saints. The dates change depending on the year, but All Saints is always November 1. Infants are baptized in this Church. Those interested in receiving the sacrament of Baptism should speak with the Rector. We do not practice “Re-Baptism,” and we hold that there is but one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins. Those interested in renewing their faith in Christ should ask the Rector about Confirmation or the Renewal of Baptism Vows.

We believe that marriage is a sacrament instituted by God for the mutual joy of the couple and that each marriage is to be respected by all people. We believe that the sacrament of marriage is available to all people regardless of the couple’s gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation or race. We will solemnize interfaith marriages so long as one member of the couple is a Baptized Christian. We believe that there is life after divorce, and divorced couples are welcome to apply for marriage in this parish.

Holy Cross is an inclusive parish, valuing the sacramental inclusion of all, including LGBTQ individuals, the homeless, strangers, and those in need. For over a century, this sacred space has absorbed the prayers of generations. Join us in prayer as we explore new avenues to serve God and our neighbors through traditional acts of devotion and service.

The Church of the Holy Cross, Shreveport, Louisiana, strives to be the presence of Jesus Christ in our community and beyond, through worship of God, open inquiry, sharing fellowship, valued diversity, genuine inclusiveness, and servant leadership – encouraging all to exercise God’s gifts and calling as we share the Gospel in ministry, to serve without regard for religious affiliation, race or economic status.