We believe that the gospel is a message of hope and that the Church that shares this message is the hope of the world. Therefore we want to see the whole church (all ages), reaching the whole world (all nations) with the whole gospel (in word and deed).
The Task and Purpose of the Church
This is based on the life of the early Church, particularly in Acts 2:42. “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers”, and Matthew 28:18-20, “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
The Task and Purpose is:
- To worship. (Acts 2:42)
- To evangelise, (Matthew 28:19-20) primarily locally, but also with a national and international vision. (Acts 1:8)
- To build up its members. (Ephesians 4:12-16: “For the perfecting of the saints” etc.)
- To instruct new converts. (Matthew 28:19-20)
- To administer the two sacraments. (Matthew 28:19-20)
- To show the compassion of Christ. (1 John 3:16-18)
- To base all its teaching on Scripture. (2 Tim. 3:16-17)
We want to do this in the context of the following three themes…
The Great Commission
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28 verse 18 -21
Mutual Pastoral Care
Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.
Acts 20 verse 28
Passing the Baton
What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
2 Timothy 2 verse 2