Jesus is the head of every church that claims the name of Jesus and claims its identity from his work of redemption through his death and resurrection. Jesus is the first and chief shepherd, who calls his people to safety, who protects them amid danger, who restores life and refreshes the soul. It is Jesus who promises the Holy Spirit to people, and it is Jesus who breathes the Spirit into spiritually dead people and creates spiritually alive, fruitful people. It is in him that we are reborn, and it is by him and through him that we grow into a mature people marked by the Fruit of the Spirit, those characteristics of self-giving, self-sacrifice, love for God, and love for others. He is not only the author of faith; he is the sustainer of faith. Jesus is the unquestioned leader of the church, without whom there would be no church. We also believe that he continues to lead actively and powerfully today. As a result, every action, every movement, must be in response to that leading.