Vision for Church Life at St Matthews
General Values
For a local Church Life that is welcoming, relates to our locality, is accessible to all ages and builds community and family life.
Worship that is passionate, intimate, joyful, inspiring and directs us to an encounter with God.
Leadership that releases every member’s gifts. We believe in giving opportunity for leadership at every level within church life. We run the CPAS Growing Leaders course to facilitate this vision. We believe that a true gift of leadership is a calling of God and is anointed by Him.
Mission that is rooted in our relationship with Jesus. Jesus is passionate for his world and we believe that maturity of faith brings a passion for sharing the good news.
Teaching and training that is bible based, interesting , relevant and is applied to life. We aim to teach at different levels through church services, care group studies, courses and practically through service.
Discipleship is key in a growing church. We encourage prayerfulness, holiness, humility, integrity, generosity and service.
Ministry that is inclusive, discerns gifts, is directed by the Spirit and transforms peoples lives.
Theology that is orthodox in doctrine and morality, founded on the person and work of Jesus.
New Wine: We are a New Wine network Church
Adapted from New Wine Values
We are a New Wine affiliated church. We attend the annual conference in Shepton Mallet for spiritual refreshment and teaching. For more details about New Wine Click on the logo.
Our mission statement is...
“To know Christ and make him known.”
Taken from: Matthew 28:19 – 20. Jesus' charge to his disciples.
19: 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, 20:and teaching them to obey everything
I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
“Jesus' universal Lordship now demands a universal mission.” “Matthew,” R.T.France,
• To be able to share Christ we need to know him and be rooted in him ourselves.
• Charge to make disciples by sharing the good news of Jesus with all people.
• Jesus presence is promised though obedient discipleship.
• Vision to grow by 100% over next three years.
We are committed to...
1 Sustaining ministry
We are committed to sustaining the current significant ministry work.
Vision for this year: We would like to recognise that for a church in our economic
setting this is, in itself, a demanding challenge.
2 Pastoral ministry
Our Care groups only have around 40% of church members involved. We would like to increase this over the next year.
Vision for this year is to increase Care Group membership to 50%.
3 Building challenge.
It is recognised by members of the PCC and our architect that our church building is not fit for purpose. It also does not comply with current access legislation, has no public and disabled toilet and has very poor reception facilities. Worship and more general use of the building is hampered by old style seating and very poor heating.
Our vision for this next year is to launch a church redevelopment project under the guidance of our architect and in consultation with our PCC and congregation.
Taken from St Matthew’s Tipton 2011 Mission Action Plan