About St. Joseph Parish
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St. Joseph Parish is a diverse church family. We are a church with a great history, but an even brighter future as we seek to reach out through helping people become disciples of Jesus. We believe that our church is not just a place to go, but a people to join as a community. We welome you to St. Joseph Parish in Lillian, Alabama in Jesus' name.
We believe that people are the supreme object of God's creation with infinite value and worth. Every stage and expression of human life is precious to God, especially pre-born babies, the aged, and the physically and cognitively challenged. Every person is of inestimable worth to God regardless of race, age, gender, economic status, sexual desire, or citizenship, and is to be valued, honored, and loved by His people. It is our joy to no longer consider others according to the flesh but rather according to the spirit. The Kingdom of God is a diverse family made up of people from every race, ethnicity, language, and geo-political background.
About Religious Liberty: God alone is Lord of the conscience, and He has left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are contrary to His Word or not contained in it. Church and state should be separate. The state owes to every church protection and full freedom in the pursuit of its spiritual ends. In providing for such freedom no ecclesiastical group or denomination should be favored by the state more than others.
About Separation of Church and State: We believe that each local church is self-governing, and must be free from interference by any external ecclesiastical or political authority; that every human being is ultimately responsible to God in matters of faith and life; and that each person is free to worship God according to the dictates of his/her conscience. We further believe that governments are established by God; that Christians, as good citizens, should be subject to governing authorities insofar as possible, recognizing our greater allegiance to God and His kingdom in matters wherein human authorities conflict with clear, biblical mandates.