Value

Notes

Praying and Worshipping

Worship together is at the heart of our church. Our public services of worship are an opportunity to meet the living God together in a way which is welcoming to visitors. As such it is the most visible embodiment of our worship. God has brought us from a range of different backgrounds and cultures and the informality of our main service reflects this. We rely upon God in prayer, both as individuals and as a church. Prayer inspires, strengthens and challenges us as we seek to discover what God would have us do and what kind of people we are to become.

Because of Jesus we can approach God with confidence
Heb. 10:19 Therefore… since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place… let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith… and let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Relating Christianity to the whole of life

We teach that Christian faith is a 24/7 approach to life- we aim to live lives worthy of Christ by relating biblical teaching to everyday life- relationships, work, family and play.

Transformation of the whole person

Rom. 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices… do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Encouraging every member to grow in maturity and service

Christian life is about movement and growth. Faith involves journeying alongside other Christians in a lifelong adventure with Jesus. Every Christian has a part to play in God’s plan. As a church we aim to help everyone to find that place and enable them to serve God through it.

True personal fulfilment lies in realising God’s purpose for one’s life
Eph. 4:10 He … gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ... speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.

Growing a healthy and hospitable faith community

We believe that being a Christian involves a radical transformation through personal faith in Christ, receiving the Holy Spirit and obedience to God as we see him revealed in the Bible. Christians are called to live in right relationship with God and each other, so we aim to build relationships, for example through small groups, social activities and other events, all of which are open to the wider community. We are committed to telling people the Good news of Jesus through all activities and encouraging people to make a personal response.

Growth by going and making disciples
Matt. 28: 18 Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing 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. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

Hospitality and outreach is at the heart of our life
Heb. 13:1 Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.

Allowing church life to be responsive to those we seek to serve

Victoria Dock Church has its roots in the immediate community that it serves. We therefore continually seek appropriate ways of making God’s love real by working alongside others. As part of the Church of England, we are committed to working within Drypool Parish, in fellowship with our sister churches and under the authority of the Parochial Church Council. As part of the world Church we support Christian mission both in the UK and overseas.

Adapting church life to the needs of others
Acts 6:1 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”