What We Believe

As an Anglican church a summary of what we believe can be found in a document called the thirty-nine articles

1. Theology – staff agreement, ministry priority
2. Trust and ministry freedom
3. Gospel generosity
4. Lead by preaching
5. Personal relationships/discipling
6. Lay staff + training
7. There is no perfect model

Unflinching commitment to the power of God’s Word

Implications
• we preach
• the bible is the sole means by which people are saved and grown and equipped as Christians
• knowledge of the truth leads to godliness, knowing Christ means knowing life
• shapes how we evangelise and seek growth
• in our preaching we let the Bible set the agenda
• the bible central to all our ministry gatherings – 1 to 1, small groups, church, youth and kids, women’s, staff meetings
• guided by the word of God – theological quadrilateral on authority
• there are no silver bullets or perfect programmes
• proclaim the whole counsel of God

Supreme assurance in the atoning death of Christ

Implications
• we preach the cross, we preach grace
• penal substitutionary atonement the heart of the gospel and evangelical belief
• deep awareness of our frailty and sin
• the uniqueness of Christ and the completeness of his saving work
• we are people of hope, peace, joy, unity, assurance
• the cross shapes our ministry and future and our understanding of success
• salvation is primarily rescue from wrath and judgement rather than empowered life
• the love of God motivates our love for one another and for the world
• saved by grace for good works not the other way around

Uncompromising confidence in God’s Sovereignty

Implications
• we preach and trust God alone to bring the growth
• God has a perfect plan to win the nations for Christ
• God includes us in bringing about his purposes
• God’s strength is demonstrated in our weakness
• we take risks because we know God never does
• not afraid of change because God is in control
• confident hope
• we pray

Unwavering dedication to the glory of Christ in the salvation of the lost

Implications
• we preach the glory of Christ for a response of faith
• we strive for the glory of Christ in the edification and the strengthening of Christians for the last day
• we strive for the glory of Christ in the salvation of the lost
• the gospel is for all peoples/nations/languages – the priority of cross cultural ministry
• mission not maintenance
• plan and resource (& sacrifice) for evangelism + church growth
• church planting as a key way to evangelise and promote Christian growth
• shaped by the principle of gospel generosity (sometimes painful)
• sending locally (our city, Ministry Training Strategy, Moore Theological College) and globally (Overseas Ministry Partners, Church Missionary Society etc.)

Firm belief in the priesthood of all believers

Implications
• we preach to train and equip the saints for works of service
• making disciple-making disciples
• high levels of lay ministry involvement
• understand that God has given us different gifts for the building of the body
• emphasis on teamwork, relationships and fellowship
• as the staff are united in theology and truth, the churches will be united in theology and truth