The Moravian Way
A Teenager’s Guide to the Moravian Covenant for Christian Living
The study of the Moravian Covenant for Christian Living should be an energizing
experience. When we study together we learn from each other and are drawn into closer
communion with God and one another. The MCCL helps us answer the frequent question,
“Who are the Moravians?” More importantly, it helps us know how to live our lives as
Christians. Although it is not binding on people, it is a statement of what the Moravian
Church most values, and it is intended to guide our decisions as a community of faith.
Session Objectives
To learn about the Moravian Covenant for Christian Living (MCCL)
To appreciate the ways the church can help you live as a Christian
To explore ways to discuss controversial ideas and make good personal decisions
To discover the core values of the Moravian Church
To grow closer to Christ by living in love
Introduction: A Moravian Statement of Faith
Most churches have statements of their beliefs. These are often called creeds or confessions
of faith. One of the most important Moravian statements is a little different. We call it the
Covenant for Christian Living (abbreviated as the MCCL). We use the MCCL to help us
understand the Word of God and to live according to God’s will. It is significant that the
Moravian Church has a statement that focuses on how we live our lives as Christians rather
than defining all of the things people ought to believe about God or the church.
Moravians value simplicity, whether in church architecture, music, or doctrine. Simplicity
does not mean that we are simplistic or simple-minded, though. The MCCL is written in
fairly plain language, but it deals with some of the most profound mysteries of God and
human life. It is part of our joyful proclamation of what God has done and how we hope to
respond to God’s goodness.
Discussion questions
Do you think it is helpful is have a guide for living as a Christian?
Which is more important to you as a Christian: what you believe or how you life?
A Quick History Lesson
Nearly 300 years ago, the Moravians founded a new religious community called Herrnhut
in Germany. They welcomed all kinds of people from many churches and many countries,
but soon people began fighting with each other over doctrine. They disagreed over what it
meant to be a Christian and began to treat each other badly. When things were at their
worst, Count Zinzendorf stepped in. With his help, the people discussed their differences,
but more importantly they recognized that what they had in common as followers of Christ
was more important than their divisions. They also saw the need for some guiding
principles to help organize their life as a community. The result of this discussion and
prayer was the Brotherly Agreement signed on May 12, 1727. Everyone in the village
agreed to live according to simple rules of behavior taken from the New Testament. This
Brotherly Agreement was the beginning of the renewal of the Moravian Church and led to
the great mission effort of the Moravians.
The name of the Brotherly Agreement was changed in the 1980s to make it clear that
sisters are part of the agreement. The Moravian Covenant for Christian Living is the modern
version of the Brotherly Agreement. The MCCL has been changed many times through the
centuries as the church and society changed. The word Covenant is a biblical word for a
solemn agreement or contract. Israel’s relationship to God is defined in Scripture as a
Covenant. A Covenant is a voluntary bond that holds us together even when we fail to meet
all of the obligations of the Covenant.
Discussion
What are some of the things Christians disagree about?
Why do you think it is good to have some rules for how to treat people even when we
disagree?
Can you think of other things we use the word “covenant” for? What is a covenant?
Which term to you like better: Brotherly Agreement of Covenant for Christian Living?
Break
During the break, everyone should get a copy of the MCCL and take a few minutes to look it
over before the next session.
Scripture
The MCCL begins with Scripture, which is very important for Moravians. From the days of
John Hus our church has encouraged the reading of the Bible in the common language of
the people, and the Bible remains central to Moravian life. We base our faith and practice
on the Bible, but we know that Christians often about the Scriptures. Some of our ancestors
were even imprisoned and tortured by the Inquisition because of disagreements about the
Bible. We Moravians value the Bible highly, but we know that it is God alone who is the
source of our life and salvation. Scripture is sacred to us because it points us to God. The
Covenant sets forth a guiding principle that is evident throughout Moravian doctrine and
practice: we respect the complexity of Scripture and do not attempt to force a single
interpretation on the Scripture. The Moravian Church teaches the basic doctrines of
Christianity, but we also recognize that many things about God remain mysterious. The
statement on essentials and non-essentials reminds us that we are ultimately defined by
our love. We are called to love and serve God, not to define and confine God to our limited
understanding and vision.
Discussion
What does the Bible mean to you?
Do you think it is okay that Christians sometimes disagree about the Bible?
What do you think is the most important thing the Bible teaches?
As you study the MCCL, try to identify Scripture passages it uses.
Life in Christ
Christian living ultimately comes from being in relationship with the living Christ who
works within us to shape our lives into images of his life. Each of us represents Christ in
different ways in the world. This means we will continue to grow as Christians as we grow
as people. Ideally, we should be better Christians at the end of life than we were when we
became Christian. It is also important that we recognize that other Christians are also
“works in progress,” and we should give them the same grace that we have needed and
continue to need. Moravians view gentleness as an essential spiritual gift.
Moravians believe that all of life is a gift from God. Our bodies, our minds, our talents, and
many of our opportunities were given to us. Those who have received gifts have the
obligation of gratitude toward the giver and the responsibility to care for the gift given. One
of the most important statements in the MCCL is “Since disciples of Jesus are to be known
by the love they have to one another (John 13:35), we will cherish Christian love as of
prime importance.” The bible verse quoted here comes from Jesus’ final instructions to his
disciples in John. Disciples of Christ are to love each other as Christ has loved us. For many
centuries, the church officially proclaimed that the essentials of our church included our
response to God’s salvation through “faith, love, and hope.” In other words, for Moravians,
love is an “essential;” in fact is the most essential thing.
Discussion
What does it mean to you that you were made by God?
What does love mean to you?
What gifts has God given you and how can you use them in the church?
Living with Other Christians
The call to unity is a common thread running through every version of the Brotherly
Agreement. From the beginning the Christian Church included people from many different
cultures who spoke many different languages and observed many different customs. Being
Christian does not erase our distinctiveness; it may enhance it by giving us the grace and
freedom to be who God created us to be.
One way of understanding the Moravian perspective is to imagine heaven as the perfect
community. Who will you expect to see in heaven? Will it only be people who have the
same skin color, economic status, language, accent, educational background, theology, and
gender as you? The Christian Church is called to reflect the heavenly vision on earth, but in
the world we see that these same differences are the source of much hatred, conflict, and
bloodshed. Humans tend to hate what they do not understand and reject that which is
different. The Moravian Church has seen this as a particularly important part of its mission
in the service of Christ; therefore we have been tolerant of differences within our Unity.
Discussion
What do you think about the fact there are so many different churches?
Do you think it is good that there are so many different kinds of people?
What makes it difficult for different types of people to live together in love?
How can you help people get along?
Worship
The most basic activity of the Christian Church is worship. This statement does not
diminish other important Christian activities, such as evangelism and acts of mercy. The
Moravian Covenant reminds us that worship is not an obligation imposed on us; it is a
blessing that we have received from God. We believe that Sunday is a day for worship and
study of the Bible. Our church traces its origins to a reform movement in Bohemia over five
centuries ago. We broke away from the Roman Catholic Church primarily over the issue of
giving the cup (chalice) to the laity in Holy Communion. Our ministers typically wear a
white robe in communion to emphasize that it is really Christ who gives us this sacred
meal. Communion is a way to be united with our Lord and to the mystical body of Christ
that transcends our divisions.
Christians sometimes argue about on the basic rituals of our faith, such as baptism. The
Moravian Church in every province of the Unity baptizes the children of members as a
witness to our conviction that children are also redeemed by Christ. We have always
taught that children should be raised in such a way that they know that they are children of
God and that they value their relationship to God.
Discussion
Why do you go to church on Sundays?
What do you find most meaningful about worship?
How could Sunday worship be more meaningful for you?
What do you believe about baptism and Holy Communion?
Politics
It often makes people uncomfortable to talk about faith and politics. In fact, for two
thousands years the church and state have been conflict over many issues, such as capital
punishment. Some Christians believe that the church should separate itself completely
from politics; others think that the church should use the government to make society
more Christian. The Moravian Church was the first church to reject the idea of a state
church. Moravians have sometimes refused to cooperate with laws that we have seen as a
violation of the most basic aspects of justice. However, the Moravian Church has never
preached violence or rebellion. The MCCL recognizes the duty of Christians to resist evil
laws. Our church officially endorses the Barmen Declaration that was written in 1934 in
Germany in opposition to actions of the Nazi government. The Barmen Declaration
reaffirmed the Christian conviction that God rather than the State is sovereign.
At times in the past Moravians established their own communities (like Salem). Through
the years we came to realize that there is a special opportunity and calling for Christians to
influence the laws of the land and establish justice. Moravians who live in America enjoy
the blessings of a government based on the idea of a social contract, and the Covenant
reminds us that we need to fulfill our part of the contract. Many Moravians now serve in
public office as part of their Christian vocation.
One of the most difficult issues Christians have always faced is war. The Moravian Church
was founded in 1457 as the first “peace church”, but today we leave the question of military
service up to the conscience of individuals. We encourage our members who are in the
military not to embrace a culture of violence and oppression but to mitigate the suffering of
others even in the midst of armed conflict. The Moravian commitment to peace goes
beyond military issues. It is one of our core convictions. We believe and teach that God
intends for all people to live in peace and avoid harming other people. We have
traditionally taught that we should not stir up trouble with our neighbors and that we
should pray for the peace of the lands in which we minister. We pray for peace for the sake
of our brothers and sisters, including those who are serving in uniform.
Discussion
Do you think people should let their religious views affect their politics?
Do you think Christians should ever disobey the government? When?
What do you think about capital punishment and war?
How can we live our faith in a secular, democratic society?
Right Living
Moravians believe that ethics flow from what is in our hearts, not from some abstract legal
principle. Because we have been redeemed and brought into a loving relationship with the
Father through our Savior, we are able to give others the same grace we have received. We
understand that the entire biblical law is summed up in the commandment to “do unto
others as you would have others do unto you.” This applies to how we live at school, in our
jobs, in our homes, and in the world.
Many Moravians report that they are uncomfortable witnessing to others about their faith
in Christ. Witnessing to faith often seems like an effort to convince other people that they
are wrong for believing what they believe or that they must join a particular church. The
MCCL teaches that witnessing to our faith should be a cheerful sharing with others the joy
and comfort we have in following Jesus Christ. Sometimes our strongest witness is when
we do not participate in the petty cruelties and violence we see daily in our world.
At all times our faith should be formed in love. We also witness by how we treat our own
bodies. If we acknowledge that our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit, then we
acknowledge that they ultimately belong to God not us. The MCCL also makes it clear that
racism is sinful. Africans enslaved on the island of St. Thomas were told by their masters
that they were worthless and did not have souls, but Moravian missionaries brought the
message that they were precious to God. Because of Christ, African slaves could be brothers
and sisters with Europeans. If we believe that God made all people in his image and the
Christ shed his blood for all people, how could we tolerate racial prejudice?
Discussion
How do you try to witness to Christ’s love at school?
Why does the MCCL focus on racial prejudice?
How can Christians make the world a better place by living according to Jesus’s teachings?
Conclusion
The MCCL ends with a reminder that the Moravian Church teaches that all of life should be
held in sacred trust. We do not believe that there is a difference between our secular life
and our religious life. All of our activities are part of our worship and service to the Lord.
We look to our church leaders help us live as disciples, but the most important thing is that
we continually seek to do the will of Christ.
Final Exercise
If you were going to rewrite the MCCL for teenagers today, what would you take out?
What would you add to the MCCL?