We encourage genuine commitment to Jesus Christ as our King and Saviour. We are grateful for his death on our behalf and seek to live our lives under his rule as our risen King. A genuine living relationship to Christ is strengthened through regular Bible reading, prayer and the weekly gathering with the church family. Genuine commitment to Jesus will result in radical living with the priorities we set, the choices we make and the things that we do. (Mark 8:34)
We regard the Bible as the Word of God. As the Word of God, the Bible shapes and directs our life and ministry as a church. We value Biblical preaching and teaching that is faithful, authoritative, applicable and persuasive. (Matthew 4:4, 2 Timothy 3:16-17)
We recognise that God rules over all things and that all of our efforts and plans depend on Him alone and so we call on God to do His good will amongst us. (Colossians 4:2, 1 Peter 4:7)
We appreciate deliberate and thoughtful attempts to speak to others about God's offer of forgiveness and a fresh start at life made available through Jesus' death and resurrection. We value the commitment of every member of the church family in this responsibility both individually and corporately. Seeing people saved from God's coming wrath and judgement matters to God, so it matters to us. (1 Timothy 1:15, Acts 17:30-31)
Our God is gathering to himself a saved people who trust in Jesus as their Saviour and King. We value the real and practical expression of this when a person commits themselves to a local congregation of Christian people. (Hebrews 10:25)
We regard every member of St James as a minister whom God has gifted for the building up of His church. This involves active participation, sacrificial support and our best efforts in gospel ministry. (Ephesians 4:11-13, 1 Corinthians 3:10-15)
We recognise that God has given leaders to the local church for the good of all. The leadership, be they appointed or elected has the responsibility to make decisions and take action to advance the mission and vision of St James. The congregations have the responsibility to follow and support that leadership. We value those who equip us for ministry through teaching and preaching the Bible, through modelling and through training. Our model of leadership is that offered by Christ himself who came to serve rather than be served. (Matthew 20:26-28, Hebrews 13:17)
We hope that our relationships towards one another will be marked by mutual love towards one another. This requires each member to be other person-centred, rather than self-centred. It will require such things as repentance and forgiveness, patience, truth and time. By this all people will know that we are disciples of Christ. (John 13:34-35, 1 Peter 4:8)
God funds ministry through the generosity of his people. We have to be responsible stewards of the resources he has given us and financially supporting gospel ministry is one of the ways that we partner together in the cause of the gospel.
While there is much that can divide us, we are committed as a church to seeking unity in the gospel that saves people from every nation, language tribe and people.
Looking to the future, we can have confidence that as the gospel is proclaimed and taught to believer and unbeliever alike, Christ will build his church. To this end we continue to work with God’s plan to build his church.
To be a united community of Jesus; disciples who
- love God
- love the church
- love the lost
Our love of God will be seen in our obedience to His word.
Our love of the church will be seen in our service of each other.
Our love of the lost will be seen as we seek to share the gospel with them.