The Launch of IF:Gathering's "We Believe"

Have you ever wondered how to better articulate things that you've experienced about God?

This week, IF:Gathering launched their "I Believe" Study and corresponding iPhone application. A study of the Nicene Creed, a profession of faith widely used in Christian study for generations and centuries. The IF:Gathering is an established team of Christian women founded in Texas and now world-renknown who exists to "Gather, Equip and Unleash" women to live out their God-given calling. IF hopes to use the creed's liturgy to empower women through sharing the word and inviting them to join conversation about what they believe and who God is to them.

"Creed" is derived from the word "Credo," a statement of faith meaning "I Believe." Scripture is something Christians look to for guidance and a sense of authoritative direction, yet it can get lengthy and in-depth at times. A creed gives us simple, bulleted statements based on the scripture to lay out fundamental truths of what we believe.

Not only is there a beautiful 230-page paperback outlining the Nicene Creed, the new iPhone application was launched as well. IF's goal is to use the Nicene Creed through these two mediums to spark conversation on different topics 5 days per week and allow women all around the world to speak out and empower one another.

What the app does...

After creating an account on the application, you are then directed to fill out your profile where you upload a profile photo then add your Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and other website handles. There is also a space to write a short bio about yourself, so that others who see your comments can view your profile and reach out to you on different platforms.

On the main home feed page, you will find the "I Believe" lesson of the day as well as previous lessons and studies in case you have missed one. Within each lesson are tabs for the lesson itself, compliant scripture and a response page. On this page you will find the question of rat day and responses from women worldwide on the lesson and question. You have the ability to comment with text, photos, video, audio and/or links, and you can also comment on others' posts. Here is direct insight for women to speak their minds about the scripture and the creed and profess what they believe, gaining advice and opinions on the topic from other women as well.

How the app has worked this week...

Thousands of women have used the app to read, reflect and relate to those around them on how they view the creed in scripture. This past week was the study of "I Believe in God," where women responded to questions such as "How do you know God exists?" and "How does viewing God as your father impact your relationship with him today?"

With intriguing questions pertaining to the lesson of the day, users were able to engage in relevant content and conversation in the palm of their hand. The addition of the beautiful printed book provides a different relationship to the text and God, perhaps, but the app is the source of empowerment through other women trying to grasp the same topics of faith.

What we can expect/additional studies...

The "I Believe" study lasts nine weeks and uncovers the core beliefs of the Christian faith and allows us to reflect on the question of "What does the Bible say and how do we know it is truth?" IF organizes each week's lesson based on the topics of God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, Scriptures, Church and Heaven.

Additional studies provided by IF and through the IF:Gathering app include "The Hardest Thing," a study of the difficult studies of Jesus, "A Fight For Faith," outlining and relating to the imperfect women of the Bible and "Joshua," a study on the Book of Joshua.

As you can see, the "I Believe" study is a major part of the app, but there are plenty of ways to continue its use and reflect on scripture even after the nine weeks is up.

NICENE CREED:

I believe in God the Father Almighty,

maker of heaven and earth;

And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord: who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.