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In this fellowship we
particularly value...
Unified Christian
Community - That is inclusive and accepts people as they
are "warts and all" - encouraging people to be themselves: genuine, natural,
authentic and unpretentious. We strive to be honest and sincere (Rom 12:17; 2
Cor 8:21) and to "speak the truth in love" (Zech 8:16; Eph 4:15,25; Col 3:9),
keeping short accounts with God and each other (Matt 6:12,14-15) - knowing we
all, at times, desperately need our fellowship with God and with one another restored
(1 John 1:6-9; Gal 6:1).
Ministry - Using our unique God-given gifts
and abilities (Rom 12:6; 1 Cor 12:7), we believe we can accomplish great
things through God by working co-operatively (John 17:23; Acts 2:44-47),
serving one another in ministry (Eph 4:12,16) both inside the church and outside
through continuous community engagement (Gal 6:10; Acts 5:42).
The Grace, Compassion,
and Freedom we have in Christ - We hold fast to the wonderful truth that our
faith is founded and centred on our relationship with Jesus Christ (Gal
3:26-29; Heb 2:11) and our worship is an outpouring of that relationship (Rom
12:1; Heb 13:15). We value the diversity and uniqueness of every person (1
Cor 4:7; 12:4-6), remembering that God is much more concerned with the
attitude of our heart than with the outward appearance or style of our
worship (John 4:23-24). We encourage reality rather than hype, and
authenticity rather than image.
Spiritual Growth - As a contemporary, New
Testament church we value biblical teaching from God's Word (2 Tim 4:2; Isa
55:11), understanding that biblical truth is the foundation of all we do as
God's people, so that God's perspective and values are at the heart of our
church (2 Tim 3:16-17; John 17:17). Accordingly,
Scripture mentions certain disciplines (or "holy habits")-corporate worship
and prayer, tithing, believer's baptism, and celebrating the Lord's Supper-that
ought to be faithfully practiced as an act of obedience and as a means to
spiritual growth (Heb 10:25; 1 Thess 2:8; Eph 6:18; 1 Thess 5:17-18; Luke
6:38; 2 Cor 8:7; Mal 3:10; Matt 28:19; Gal 3:26-27; Luke 22:17-19; Acts
2:42,46; 1 Cor 11:25). Our leadership
strives to model the shepherding example of Christ (John 13:15; 1 Cor 11:1; 1
Pet 5:2-3), with the aim of preparing God's people for works of service (Eph
4:12).
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