A DECLARATION OF FREEDOM
By the Presiding Bishops and Denominational Leaders Assembled
The Declaration of Freedom from the National Faith and Justice Council (NFJC) is a unified statement from faith leaders committed to defending truth, advancing justice, and strengthening communities for generations to come. When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for a people of faith to reaffirm their sacred trust, to strengthen the bonds of unity among themselves, and to secure the spiritual and civic well-being of their communities and their children’s children, a decent respect for the generations past and those yet unborn requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to covenant together in freedom.
We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all people are created in the image of God; that they are endowed by their Creator with inherent dignity, moral worth, and sacred purpose; that among these are life, liberty, justice, truth, and the free exercise of faith; and that to secure these blessings, institutions are established among humanity, deriving their just authority from divine accountability and the trust of the people they serve.
Whenever systems distort truth, diminish human dignity, suppress righteous participation, or undermine the moral foundations of society, it is the right and responsibility of spiritual leaders to speak, to stand, and to act, not in pursuit of partisan advantage, but in fidelity to God and in defense of the common good.
Therefore, we, the Presiding Bishops and denominational leaders assembled under the banner of the National Faith Unity Council, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do solemnly publish and declare:
I. Freedom of Faith and Conscience
That the Church of Jesus Christ is not subject to the shifting winds of cultural confusion, nor to the intimidation of political power, nor to the distortion of truth by repetition and volume.
That we are, and of right ought to be, spiritually free to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, free to teach sound doctrine, free to call our communities to repentance, righteousness, and hope.
That our allegiance is first to the Kingdom of God, and that this allegiance strengthens, rather than weakens, our contribution to a just and ordered society.
II. Freedom to Defend Truth
That we recognize the present age as one in which truth is frequently questioned, repetition masquerades as reality, and public discourse is clouded by confusion.
That we declare our freedom—and our obligation—to defend truth with clarity, integrity, and courage.
That we will not surrender moral language to distortion nor permit the erosion of values that sustain family, faith, and community life.
III. Freedom for Future Generations
That we are entrusted not only with present responsibilities but with generational blessings.
That we declare freedom from short-sighted leadership and commit ourselves to institutional continuity, accountability, and succession grounded in wisdom.
That what we build shall endure beyond our tenure, and that our discipline today shall become direction for those who follow.
IV. Freedom to Protect the Vulnerable
That we acknowledge the persistent inequities affecting Black communities and other historically marginalized peoples in the areas of education, health, economic opportunity, housing, and civic participation.
That we declare freedom from silence in the face of injustice.
That we commit ourselves to serve as a trusted moral, spiritual, and civic anchor, advancing equity, generational well-being, and the restoration of opportunity.
V. Freedom from Institutional Fragmentation
That division among denominations has too often weakened our collective witness and diminished our moral authority.
That unity does not require uniformity, but covenantal collaboration rooted in shared conviction, mutual respect, and common mission.
That we declare freedom from isolation and fragmentation and commit ourselves to cooperative leadership for the strengthening of congregations, the stability of communities, and the advancement of justice.
VI. Freedom to Exercise Civic Responsibility
That participation in civic life, including the exercise of the right to vote, is both a privilege and a stewardship.
That we declare freedom from apathy and disengagement.
That we will utilize the institutional voice of our denominations from presiders to regional bishops, from pastors to congregants, to encourage informed participation, lawful engagement, and peaceful advocacy for policies consistent with justice and human dignity.
Conclusion and Covenant
For the support of this Declaration, with firm reliance on the providence of Almighty God, we mutually pledge to one another our prayerful partnership, our moral courage, our institutional resources, and our unwavering commitment to unity in Christ.
We do not declare independence from one another, but interdependence under God.
We do not seek power for its own sake, but influence anchored in righteousness.
We do not gather for temporary alliance, but for enduring covenant.
And in this spirit, we submit this Declaration of Freedom for the prayerful review and approval of the Presiding Bishops, trusting that in unity there is strength, in faith there is favor, and in obedience there is lasting freedom.
By the Presiding Bishops and Denominational Leaders Assembled
The Declaration of Freedom from the National Faith and Justice Council (NFJC) is a unified statement from faith leaders committed to defending truth, advancing justice, and strengthening communities for generations to come. When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for a people of faith to reaffirm their sacred trust, to strengthen the bonds of unity among themselves, and to secure the spiritual and civic well-being of their communities and their children’s children, a decent respect for the generations past and those yet unborn requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to covenant together in freedom.
We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all people are created in the image of God; that they are endowed by their Creator with inherent dignity, moral worth, and sacred purpose; that among these are life, liberty, justice, truth, and the free exercise of faith; and that to secure these blessings, institutions are established among humanity, deriving their just authority from divine accountability and the trust of the people they serve.
Whenever systems distort truth, diminish human dignity, suppress righteous participation, or undermine the moral foundations of society, it is the right and responsibility of spiritual leaders to speak, to stand, and to act, not in pursuit of partisan advantage, but in fidelity to God and in defense of the common good.
Therefore, we, the Presiding Bishops and denominational leaders assembled under the banner of the National Faith Unity Council, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do solemnly publish and declare:
I. Freedom of Faith and Conscience
That the Church of Jesus Christ is not subject to the shifting winds of cultural confusion, nor to the intimidation of political power, nor to the distortion of truth by repetition and volume.
That we are, and of right ought to be, spiritually free to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, free to teach sound doctrine, free to call our communities to repentance, righteousness, and hope.
That our allegiance is first to the Kingdom of God, and that this allegiance strengthens, rather than weakens, our contribution to a just and ordered society.
II. Freedom to Defend Truth
That we recognize the present age as one in which truth is frequently questioned, repetition masquerades as reality, and public discourse is clouded by confusion.
That we declare our freedom—and our obligation—to defend truth with clarity, integrity, and courage.
That we will not surrender moral language to distortion nor permit the erosion of values that sustain family, faith, and community life.
III. Freedom for Future Generations
That we are entrusted not only with present responsibilities but with generational blessings.
That we declare freedom from short-sighted leadership and commit ourselves to institutional continuity, accountability, and succession grounded in wisdom.
That what we build shall endure beyond our tenure, and that our discipline today shall become direction for those who follow.
IV. Freedom to Protect the Vulnerable
That we acknowledge the persistent inequities affecting Black communities and other historically marginalized peoples in the areas of education, health, economic opportunity, housing, and civic participation.
That we declare freedom from silence in the face of injustice.
That we commit ourselves to serve as a trusted moral, spiritual, and civic anchor, advancing equity, generational well-being, and the restoration of opportunity.
V. Freedom from Institutional Fragmentation
That division among denominations has too often weakened our collective witness and diminished our moral authority.
That unity does not require uniformity, but covenantal collaboration rooted in shared conviction, mutual respect, and common mission.
That we declare freedom from isolation and fragmentation and commit ourselves to cooperative leadership for the strengthening of congregations, the stability of communities, and the advancement of justice.
VI. Freedom to Exercise Civic Responsibility
That participation in civic life, including the exercise of the right to vote, is both a privilege and a stewardship.
That we declare freedom from apathy and disengagement.
That we will utilize the institutional voice of our denominations from presiders to regional bishops, from pastors to congregants, to encourage informed participation, lawful engagement, and peaceful advocacy for policies consistent with justice and human dignity.
Conclusion and Covenant
For the support of this Declaration, with firm reliance on the providence of Almighty God, we mutually pledge to one another our prayerful partnership, our moral courage, our institutional resources, and our unwavering commitment to unity in Christ.
We do not declare independence from one another, but interdependence under God.
We do not seek power for its own sake, but influence anchored in righteousness.
We do not gather for temporary alliance, but for enduring covenant.
And in this spirit, we submit this Declaration of Freedom for the prayerful review and approval of the Presiding Bishops, trusting that in unity there is strength, in faith there is favor, and in obedience there is lasting freedom.