FAQ’s

Why doesn’t Spero Dei have a statement of faith?

Because we find it more helpful to express who we are, and our Christian Spirituality, in values over statements. Historically, faith statements reflect certain beliefs, but they can vary from person to person, which we honor and respect. So, we don’t want to capture the essence, heart, and soul, of our Christian faith in statements that makes sense to one, but not to another.

So, our 5 VALUES are what we use to communicate who we are. Our values are something we aspire to live by. We’re not boasting we’ve achieved them completely. Oh gosh, no. We are on a journey.

Also, our values, are always open to review in light of fresh insights. They are not immovable creeds or doctrines. At Spero Dei we are wary of fixed absolute statements of faith, which imply there is no need to listen to others or continue to use wisdom and empathy. We will continue to wrestle with Scripture, to evolve and change, and form developing theology in our time. And while we value the historic nature of creeds, they are largely concerned about beliefs, and at times, have been used to silence, exclude, and persecute a dissenter rather than invite ongoing discussion. At Spero Dei, we are concerned about Christ’s reflection of love, empathy, and wisdom.

Our values say nothing about specific Christian theology, but rather Christian spiritual living—that is intentional. Nor do they pretend to cover every aspect of subjects they do address, such as Scripture, the church, and missions. Our core values are not intended to be comprehensive or to be theological substitutes or undermine other Christian traditions and their statements of faith. 

Is Spero Dei an evangelical church?

No. However, this question is understandable, given that Evangelical churches are the prevalent Christianity of America today. Spero Dei is a Christian church, certainly, but Evangelical is a type of Christian expression within greater Protestantism, that developed in the United States mostly during the 19th and 20th centuries, and then was exported internationally through 150 years of American missions. It has become quite popular in its various expressions, from contemporary or traditional, expository or seeker, reformed, arminian or anabaptist, pentecostal or charismatic, and denominational or non-denom, and it centers on Biblical literalism, moral absolutism, decisionism and conversionism, fixed doctrinalism, and Christian exceptionalism — yet Spero Dei has a different approach.

While we respect Christian Spirituality practiced in its various forms, and have no interest in changing others viewpoint, at Spero Dei we look to a Christianity that evolves and changes — that’s it’s beauty, and actually why it is still here. Spero Dei is a CHRISTIAN church, for sure, but we are a Christian church rethinking, reimagining, and reforming Christian Spirituality for the 21st century.

What is the role of the Bible at Spero Dei?

At Spero Dei, the Bible is so meaningful to us, and we take it so seriously, that there is no way we can take it literally. We have such a high value of Scripture that, for us, to give it merely a literalistic interpretation is to lower its value. To us, the Bible is so much more than that. The Bible is alive and active for today and all throughout history. Its interpretations have constantly changed and evolved over time, and to say it hasn’t, for us anyway, is not being intellectually or historically honest. The purpose of the Bible is not about dragging us to the past and conforming us to a time when we didn’t live, but it is to evolve us to our present trust in Christ, right now, where it still speaks of love, spiritual transformation and awakening, changing ethics, while at the same time… honoring our rich traditions.

Is Spero Dei LGBTQ+ inclusive?

YES! Absolutely. Spero Dei is a fully affirming church in every way. LGBTQ folks can serve, lead, participate, get married here, and hold church positions with no reservation. Spero Dei is proud to be marked “clear” at Church Clarity (churchclarity.org). It makes us sad that the gay and trans community has been told by many churches, “everyone’s welcome,” only to find out that ultimately who they truly are is rejected. If you’re gay or trans, at Spero Dei, you’ll be fully affirmed in who you are. We love you and affirm you.

At Spero Dei, can women lead and serve as men do?

Yes. Of course. Unequivocally. It seems silly that we even have to address this question in the 21st Century, doesn’t it? But so many come from church backgrounds where the role of men and women is differentiated, with women getting the demeaning end of the stick. So, it’s understandable that the question is even asked of a church.

So, at Spero Dei, of course women can lead and serve as men do. When it comes to gender and how one can serve and lead, we make no distinction. Our gender identity is a non-issue if and how we lead and serve, or who we lead and serve. Calling all women to go for it.

Is Spero Dei part of a greater reform happening in Christianity?

Absolutely. Recently, Spero Dei was covered by The Washington Post along with 100 other ministers and pastors across the US. Also, Lead Minister, David Moses Perez, was interviewed on the USA Today | The Tennessean, VOICES Podcast.

What does Spero Dei mean and how do you pronounce it?

First. The pronunciation. Just say, SPARROW DAY. There. You got it.

Second. So what does it mean? The words “Spero” and “Dei” are latin. “Spero” means hope or trust, and “Dei” means God. At Spero Dei, we like to say, “faith is trust, not belief.” To us, Spero Dei means, through relational attachment and attuning to God, we are trusting in God and that’s where all our hope is.