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Whether it is our greatest joy or a challenge, we all have opportunities to talk about the New Church. Talking about the church and sharing your faith is an important ministry all members can take part in. It is important that you use your own style and talk from personal experience. At the same time, I thought you might enjoy exploring how other people are answering these questions. I contacted a variety of individuals connected to the New Church and asked them how they answered the following questions. Each individual responded with their specific answers and noted that they also would consider the audience's unique background and adjust their answer to better meet the interests and needs of the individual.

What is the New Church?

"It is a worldwide denomination; one of the things we believe is there is a deeper meaning to the Bible, for example in the exodus story..." -Anna Woofenden

"It's a brand new way of understanding the Old and New Testaments. It's a path that leads to the greatest possible joy--a whole new world. . ." -Ray Silverman

"A small Christian Church based on the Bible and the Writings of Emanuel Swedenborg, with some really interesting teachings that help your life." -Erik Buss

What Denomination Are You?

"The denomination is the New Church. It is a small denomination with churches around the world." -Anna Woofenden

"You could call me a Christian because I believe that God Himself came into the world as Jesus Christ. But I also believe that everyone who believes in God and lives according to the Ten Commandments goes to heaven. This is a core teaching of the New Church-too New Age to be Christian, and too Christian to be New Age!" -Ray Silverman

"I'm a pastor of the New Church. We are a small Christian denomination with a different take on Christianity than many denominations. Would you like me to tell you more?" -Erik Buss

"New Church. It is a really great church that has made a big difference in my life..." -Erik Buss (lay person perspective)

Who is Swedenborg?

"Swedenborg is an eighteenth century philosopher and theologian who turned to religion in later years. We believe that God worked through him to write a number of books that we use as the basis of our religion." -Anna Woofenden

"Swedenborg was an 18th century Swede whose writings explain the Bible and are the basis for the New Church. We don't focus much on him personally, but rather focus on the amazing ideas in his writings." -Erik Buss