What we Believe
Encountering God · Rooted in Christ · Transforming Lives
We are a loving, lively evangelical Anglican Church with a passion for God, a vision to see lives transformed and a mission to impact the world around us with the Good News of Jesus Christ. We are a member of the New Wine network of churches.
The Spirit of the Lord has anointed us to proclaim good news to the poor (Isaiah 61:1).
We are passionate for His presence, seeking first His Kingdom. We aim for Jesus to the be the centre of who we are and all we do.
We are a church shaped by God’s Word and His Spirit. We’re growing in the Spirit’s fruit and gifts, sent to bring comfort and freedom as we live in Jesus.
We have a passion to reach the lost and see lives transformed as we welcome the Holy Spirit’s work in us and our community.
We believe in living out our Christian faith as effectively as possible, having an impact on those who have not yet heard or experienced the great news about Jesus Christ and living in the power of the Spirit.
We believe we should share the good news about Jesus, equip people in their faith journey and see them live out their faith in the world.
Encountering God: Passionate for His Presence
“My Presence will go with you and I will give you rest.” Then Moses said to Him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here”. Exodus 33:14-15
Rooted in Christ: Strong in the faith
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness”. Colossians 2:6-7
Transforming Lives: Making disciples
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you”. Matthew 28:19-20
St Mary's Values
Jesus centred in everyone and in everything
Ministering to God, one another and the world
Holiness in thought, word and deed
Accountable to leadership and to one another
Reaching out to one another and the world
Giving of our time, money and talents
Small Group belonging, supporting, growing
Beliefs
The following is a summary of what Evangelical Christians believe, as found on the Evangelical Alliance basis of faith page:
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The one true God who lives eternally in three persons—the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
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The love, grace and sovereignty of God in creating, sustaining, ruling, redeeming and judging the world.
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The divine inspiration and supreme authority of the Old and New Testament Scriptures, which are the written Word of God—fully trustworthy for faith and conduct.
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The dignity of all people, made male and female in God's image to love, be holy and care for creation, yet corrupted by sin, which incurs divine wrath and judgement.
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The incarnation of God’s eternal Son, the Lord Jesus Christ—born of the virgin Mary; truly divine and truly human, yet without sin.
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The atoning sacrifice of Christ on the cross: dying in our place, paying the price of sin and defeating evil, so reconciling us with God.
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The bodily resurrection of Christ, the first fruits of our resurrection; his ascension to the Father, and his reign and mediation as the only Saviour of the world.
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The justification of sinners solely by the grace of God through faith in Christ.
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The ministry of God the Holy Spirit, who leads us to repentance, unites us with Christ through new birth, empowers our discipleship and enables our witness.
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The Church, the body of Christ both local and universal, the priesthood of all believers—given life by the Spirit and endowed with the Spirit's gifts to worship God and proclaim the gospel, promoting justice and love.
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The personal and visible return of Jesus Christ to fulfil the purposes of God, who will raise all people to judgement, bring eternal life to the redeemed and eternal condemnation to the lost, and establish a new heaven and new earth.