VISION and MANIFESTO
Our Vision.
To be an educational and community entity that, under the model of Messiah Yeshua, promotes autonomous kehilot (congregations/communities) and groups committed to the study of Scripture, worship, and service, where every member cooperates with their gifts, ministries, talents, and efforts in the expansion of God’s priestly kingdom in all nations.
The Way Up Foundation Manifesto.
Historically, Christian thought has analyzed matters partially, often ignoring the context and fundamental principles used by the biblical writers to convey the divine message. This decontextualization has been a significant cause of many conflicts throughout the history of the church. However, the true root of these deviations lies with those who, under the name of “Christians,” have driven their personal agendas, manifesting a life that has not been transformed by God.
Although we could focus on this criticism, we prefer to focus on what we can contribute as the Body of the Messiah.
Today, in the early decades of the 21st century, we face a critical state within the faith community. Many congregations authorize or carry out actions that neither Yeshua nor the apostles would have approved of. They have created a Christian perspective decontextualized from the Scriptures, with a contradictory theology that often dismisses certain texts in favor of others within the same canon. Morally, they have gone so far as to approve of adultery and divorce for any reason, among other things. Their most influential leaders often cover up the manipulation of some congregations by other pastors who seek their own enrichment. Furthermore, other believers are attacked and “criminalized” simply for disagreeing on a theological conclusion or a liturgical practice.
The lack of respect for the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) is regrettable; actions or phrases that do not originate from Him are attributed to Him to manipulate through emotional blackmail. This situation has created a model of ministerial “success” where the congregation functions more like a business or a social welfare club. Radicalism or accommodation is also observed regarding controversial topics that Scripture does not detail, based on a false interpretation of biblical rights.
In the face of this panorama—a lack of understanding of the foundations that were so clear to the apostles and their disciples; academic superficiality in many seminaries; pastoral apathy toward the deep study of Scripture—we declare the following:
Fundamental Principles:
- Elohim is the Creator and Sovereign of the universe, who redeems humanity by grace through His corporeal and salvific expression: Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus the Messiah).
- Yeshua, the Alef-Tav (Alpha-Omega) of God, substituted man in his sentence as a sinner, to save him, regenerate him, and restore his communion with the Creator.
- Through the Ruach HaKodesh, God regenerates man’s spirit, enabling him to live in holiness and reject sin.
- The knowledge and revelation of the divine nature of Yeshua are given by God and not by human merit.
- We live in submission to His will so that every area of our life may be an expression of faithfulness.
- The TaNaK (Old Testament) and the Apostolic Writings (New Testament) in their original texts are our ultimate authority, interpreted in their historical, cultural, and grammatical context, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
- Discipleship and the proclamation of the gospel are a collective responsibility.
- Growth in knowledge and spirituality is the work of God, and it is not a reason to judge others.
- We are a non-sectarian movement: we work in harmony with every community and association that seeks to please the God of Israel.
- We dialogue with respect and love, without sacrificing our principles.
- We recognize biblical truths ignored by traditional theology and restore them without imposing interpretations.
- We do not follow fragmented doctrinal systems, but the indivisible totality of Scripture.
- We do not follow an absolute human leader: Yeshua is our Lord.
Community Model:
– Way Up Groups: Every kehilah (congregation/community) begins as a small group, which may meet in a house or be an already established congregation that adopts the vision. This initial group will seek to form a Beit Midrash (house of study) that implements the Way Up Educational Program, or a Beit Keneset (house of meeting for worship) that implements the Way Up Sidur (Prayer Book), or both.
– Way Up Kehilah: A kehilah is considered one that:
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Has implemented the Way Up Educational Program through a Beit Midrash or Yeshivah (Academy).
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Maintains at least one weekly Shabbat service in its Beit Keneset using the Way Up Sidur.
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Has a Tzévet Nihul Kehilati (Community Management Team) in charge of internal and external communal life.
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– Autonomy and Brotherhood: Each kehilah is autonomous in leadership and membership but united in vision, principles, and collaboration with the rest of the groups sharing the same vision. Until it achieves legal autonomy, it will be under the covering and supervision of the group that planted it.
– Multiplication: Every group or kehilah seeks not only to grow internally but also to plant new kehilot in places where none with the same vision exist.
Way Up welcomes everyone who identifies with this vision and manifesto, either as fraternal members (external beneficiaries of the services) or as official members (under the covering and communal service of Way Up).