Before sharing what it is we believe, it's important to identify the difference between belonging and believing.
To belong to the fshbwl means to identify with the community at some level. It might be that you enjoy conversation about current events, science, pop-culture, and faith. It might be that you have questions you want to ask. Or maybe you're here to meet people who will encourage you as you live a life of faith. In other words, there's a common bond, but it isn't necessarily a confession of faith. With this framework in mind, please remember that the fshbwl welcomes belonging even if you don't believe.
At the same time, belief is a major motivator for those of us who care for the fshbwl's tank, in fact, without our faith, the fshbwl wouldn't be. For us, we hold onto historic Christian teaching that flows from the Bible and is summarized in the three ecumenical or universal creeds. Another way of expressing our faith is in the phrases "grace alone", "faith alone", and "Scripture alone".
Grace Alone: God's forgiveness is an undeserved gift that comes because of the suffering death and resurrection of Jesus with no strings attached. God lovingly offers this gift to all people and it alone is what makes us right with God.
Faith Alone: While it is God's grace alone that saves us, we receive grace through faith, that is, a living daring confidence in the gracious promise of God in Christ.
Scripture Alone: God reveals this grace to us today through the pages of the Bible which point us to the suffering death and resurrection of Christ on our behalf. Because it is God revealing Himself to us, the Bible alone shapes our understanding of our relationship with God and His calling in our lives.
As for the fshbwl's affiliation, those of us who take care of the tank are part of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod.