Values Statement:
(The core principles and values that this congregation is united
behind and that guide our decisions in life and ministry.)
In
this fellowship we particularly value ...
1. People and accept them as they are - "warts and
all" (and we all have some warts). Knowing that no one is
"super-spiritual" and that we are all just sinners saved by God's
marvellous grace, we encourage people to relax and just be themselves: genuine,
natural, authentic, unpretentious.
2. Christian community that is inclusive [1], that demonstrates agapé love through warm
fellowship and mutual service that meets real needs. In order to
foster "community", we commit ourselves to a network of small groups,
home groups, support groups, special interest groups, church events (camps,
outings, fellowship meals, fun nights, etc.) - whatever meets felt needs - as
well as through our compassion/hospitality ministry, our "welcomers",
pastoral care team, and so on.
3. Servant leadership (Matt.20:25-28), recognizing that the chief
role and ministry of our pastor(s) as being shepherds called by God to lead
(Heb.13:17; 1 Pet.5:2), feed (Luke 12:42; 2 Tim.4:2), intercede
(Acts 6:4; Jam.5:14), and, if necessary, bleed [sacrifice
themselves] (John 10:11; 2 Tim.4:5-6) for their flock, with the ultimate
intention of "preparing God's people for works of service"
(Eph 4:12).
4. Teamwork over individualism, and
believe it to be God's primary strategy in virtually every area of Christian
service and witness (Mk.6:7; Lk.10:1; Php.3:3; Eph.4:16; 1 Cor.12:12). We
believe that we can accomplish great things for God by working
cooperatively (rather than competitively- 1 Cor.3:5-9; 3 Jn.8), that God
blesses such kingdom-focused solidarity (Mt.18:18-19), and that each and
every member of a team is important and deserving of frequent recognition and thanks (both public and private) - not just the high profile members
and leader(s) of the team (1 Cor.12:25-26).
5. Ministry over "church programs". We
appreciate the unique and vital ministry of each and every member of our
fellowship, which is governed by the unique gifts and passion [or
‘SHAPE' [2]
that God has given each of us, knowing that each one is essential if the Body (this
and every local church) is to function well (Rom. 12:3-8; 1 Cor.12;
14:12). Because of this, we strive to identify, develop and encourage
the use of every person's spiritual gift(s), and to assist our people to find
an avenue for their use in ministry both inside and outside our church
fellowship.
6. The biblical sacraments and
disciplines [3] that have been handed down to us to help us
"grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ" (2 Pet.3:18; Eph.4:13). While we recognize that these
practices should not be considered an end in themselves nor a means to receive
glory from God or man, we do understand their value in drawing us into closer
union and fellowship with our God, which is the greatest desire of our
heart. As "new creatures" in Christ - completely "born
again" spiritually - we recognize that these things are channels for God's
grace and our means to spiritual food for spiritual growth and health.
7. Freedom and authenticity in worship - remembering that God is
much more concerned with the attitude of our heart than with the outward
appearance or style of our worship (Jn.4:23-24). So, while we may have our
own preferred style of worship, we recognize that everyone is different,
that there isn't one correct external form of worship or
one particular type of music and singing that is inherently more biblical
or spiritual, and that virtually all forms of worship can be meaningful
and moving for others - and we will endeavour to always remember and respect
that fact without passing judgment. Within reason, we want to create an
atmosphere where people feel free to worship God however they please and as the
Holy Spirit leads them.
8. Forgiveness -
keeping short accounts with God and each other - as an integral part of our
love relationships and our new nature in Christ. We all
desperately and continually need reconciliation and restoration and these lie
at the heart of the gospel and the Christian life. And in our
interactions with one another, we strive to be honest and sincere (Rom.12:17; 2
Cor.8:21) and to "speak the truth in love" (Eph.4:15,25; Zac.8:16;
Col.3:9). However, we also believe that forgiveness is not the same as
trust, because we are unconditionally required to seek the forgiveness of
others when we wrong them and to forgive others when they wrong us
(Matt.6:12,14-15; Luke 17:3-4; Col.3:13) - in other words, to proactively seek
reconciliation within the Body of Christ (Matt.5:23-24; 18:15) - but, unlike
forgiveness, trust is not unconditional and is not a right but a
privilege that must be earned [thus, the need to be known as someone who is
"trustworthy" - Luke 16:10-12; 1 Tim.3:11]. Therefore,
we try to exercise godly wisdom, discernment and some caution when it comes to entrusting
precious and vulnerable things and people [e.g. our children] to others (Jam.1:27; Matt.18:10; Luke 17:1-2; John
2:24; 2 Tim.:2; 1 Cor.4:2). We'll do everything in our power to ensure
that "church" is a sincere, sensitive, sympathetic, supportive
and safe environment (Mt.18:5-11; 1 Cor.13:6-7a; 1 Pet.3:8).
9. The grace, compassion and freedom we
have in Christ (John
1:17; Rom.6:14-15; 1 Pet.4:10; Eph.4:32; Col.3:12; John 8:36; Gal.5:1) in
contrast to the emotional indifference (Matt.7:6), formalism (Isa.29:13),
legalism (Luke 13:14), antiquated human traditions (Col.2:20-22), judgmentalism
(Matt.7:1; Rom.14:4) and hypocrisy (Matt.23:23) that so often accompanies mere
"religion". We hold fast to the wonderful truth that our faith
does not merely consist of a set of doctrines, but is founded and centered on the Person of Jesus
Christ, with whom we enter into relationship (Matt.12:50; Heb.2:11), and who
invites us to follow Him and learn from Him (Matt.11:29).[4]
A more succinct (one page) version of the
above is as follows:
In this fellowship we
particularly value ...
1. People and accept them as they are -
"warts and all" and so encourage them to relax and just be
themselves: genuine, natural, authentic, unpretentious.
2. Christian
community that is inclusive [5],
that demonstrates agapé love through warm fellowship and mutual
service that meets real needs.
3. Servant leadership (Matt.20:25-28), recognizing
that the chief role and ministry of our pastor(s) of "preparing God's
people for works of service" (Eph 4:12).
4. Teamwork over
individualism, and believe that we can accomplish great things for
God by working cooperatively, and that every member of a team is
important.
5. Ministry over "church
programs", which is governed by our unique God-given ‘SHAPE' [6].
We strive to identify, develop and encourage the use of
everyone's spiritual gift(s), and to assist our people to find an avenue for
their use in ministry.
6. The biblical sacraments and disciplines [7],
not as an end in themselves nor a means to receive glory from God or
man, but as channels for God's grace and God's provision for our
spiritual growth and health as "new creatures" in Christ.
7. Freedom and authenticity in worship - seeking to create a
culture & atmosphere where people feel free to worship God however they
please (within reason), as the Holy Spirit leads them, without fear of the
judgment of man.
8. Forgiveness a biblical requirement essential for
reconciliation and unity. However, trust is a different matter -
it has to be earned. We'll do everything in our power to ensure
that "church" is a sincere, sensitive, sympathetic, supportive
and safe environment (Mt.18:5-11; 1 Cor.13:6-7a; 1 Pet.3:8).
9. The grace, compassion and
freedom we have in Christ (John 1:17;
Rom.6:14-15; 1 Pet.4:10) in contrast to the bondage of man-made rules in
"religion". We hold fast to the wonderful truth that our faith
does not merely consist of a set of doctrines, but is founded and centered on the Person of Jesus
Christ, with whom we enter into relationship
(Matt.12:50; Heb.2:11), and who invites us to follow Him and learn from Him
(Matt.11:29).[8]
[1 & 5] Inclusive means that we want to be known in the
wider community as a fellowship that genuinely values and enthusiastically
welcomes people of all ages, colours, races, cultures, social & economic
circumstances. Indeed, in our multicultural society, if our church
is ‘Christocentric' and not ethnocentric, it will have a healthy variety
and diversity of people in its membership and even in its leadership.
Racial background is not important - the only thing that matters is where a
person stands with Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour (John 10:16; 17:21; Gal.3:28).
[2 & 6] From Rick Warren's book "The Purpose-Driven
Life", where the S.H.A.P.E. acronym actually stands for Spiritual
gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, Experience.
[3 & 7] Understanding that some are corporate practices
essential in the life of a healthy church (such as inspirational
congregational worship [John 4:23-24; 1 Cor.14:26], enriching fellowship
[Heb.3:13; 10:25], preaching/teaching/studying God's word [Rom.15:4; 1
Tim.4:13; 2 Tim.3:15-17; Heb.4:12], corporate prayer and fasting [Acts 13:2-3;
14:23], tithing [Matt.23:23; 1 Cor.16:2; Mal.3:10], plus of course the sacraments of believer's baptism [Matt.28:19;
1 Pet.3:21] and the Lord's Table [Luke 22:19; 1 Cor.11:23f.]), while others
are important for spiritual growth on a personal/individual level (such as: "closet" prayer and
fasting [Matt.6:6,17-18; 9:15], spiritual meditation [Ps.1:2; 104:34; Php.4:8],
a spiritual "buddy" or mentor [Rom.1:12], sharing your
testimony/witnessing [Rom.10:14; Phm.6], private times of worship/praise/thanksgiving [Eph.5:19-20; Col.3:16], solitude & spiritual {prayer}
retreats [Mark 1:35; Luke 5:16] - plus other helpful disciplines not so clearly
outlined in Scripture, such as: daily devotions [Prov.8:34], spiritual
journaling [2 Pet.3:1-2].)
[4 & 8] Jesus said: "Walk with me and work with me - watch
how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace." (Matthew
11:29, "The Message".)
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