Our Vision

In 2023 we spent time seeking to discern God’s vision for our church, asking the question, “who are you calling us to be?” This led us to a headline vision statement:

The key Bible passage behind this is 2 Corinthians 6:16-21:
¹⁶ So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. ¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! ¹⁸ All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: ¹⁹ that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. ²⁰ We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. ²¹ God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Underpinning this vision statement are four subheadings, represented by the colours in our logo:

Following
This is all about personal discipleship – walking in the way of Christ, submitting to him and living for him. God’s vision for us is that we would all draw nearer to him and follow him in every aspect of our lives. The Great Commission (Matt. 28: 16-20) makes clear that Jesus expects us to be disciples and to make disciples. 
Personal discipleship is key to this vision – we can do all sorts of kinds acts and good deeds, but at the core of Christianity is choosing to give ourselves to God and follow him.

Sharing
Specifically, sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.  God’s vision for us is that everyone would become confident and intentional in sharing the Good News. (We could call the first two subheadings “discipleship” and “evangelism”, but we recognised that these words can be misunderstood and also seem very scary).
It’s worth noting that sharing the Good News does not always mean talking about Jesus or preaching – there are other ways to share the Good News (through our actions, or through inviting people to events, for example). However, 1 Peter 3:15 says “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”

Serving
Serving each other (within the church community) and God’s world (outside the church community and extending around the world). In Romans 12:1, St Paul urges us to offer our bodies “as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship”.
God’s vision for us is that we are a people who serve each other and the world around us with the gifts he has given us.

Caring
Pastoral care is another key part of building up the church community. However, it should not be limited to those within the church. Caring for others allows them to see God’s love at work through you. Pastoral care can be for physical, mental, financial or spiritual needs – often there is significant crossover between. In John 13:34-25, Jesus says “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
God’s vision for us is that we are a church that demonstrates his love by caring for everyone we meet.