Vision Statement
Walthamstow Central Baptist Church
This church exists to develop a growing love for the sovereign glory of God that:
- Worships God, joyfully
- Wants God’s word, obediently
- Walks before God, humbly
- Works together, unitedly
- Witnesses to the gospel, boldly
Biblical Principles
These notes have been prepared with the aim that everyone in the church will gain clear understanding of our mission and will be committed to, and involved in the fulfilment of the vision.
Key passages :
A. Numbers 10 vv1 – 10 : The method God uses
In this passage two trumpets are sounded. According to the different sounds they make the people respond in different ways. It illustrates the effects of the gospel.
- The trumpets gather God’s people. The gospel gathers God’s people from all nations ( Matthew 28 v 19 )
- The trumpets summon the people in an orderly way. The gospel calls people to to serve in the church ( Romans 12 vv 1-8 )
- The trumpets called the leaders together. The gospel raises up Godly leadership ( Titus 1 )
- The trumpets called the people to move forward with God. The gospel calls us to move forward in a growing experience of God. ( 1 Peter 2v2 )
- The trumpets called the people to warfare. The gospel calls us to spiritual warfare. ( Ephesians 6 vv 10-18 )
- The trumpets called the people to express their thankfulness. The gospel produces a people of thankfulness. ( Colossians 1v12 )
B. Acts 2 vv 40-47 : The spiritual environment God uses
The gospel is the method God uses. Here, we see the spiritual results – God’s people who are devoted to:
- Hearing and obeying God’s word.
- Recognising the centrality of Christ’s person and work.
- Praying together.
- Caring for one another.
- Thankfulness for God’s blessings.
- Boldly proclaiming the gospel
Expectations
These biblical principles will lead us to certain expectations because God has promised then and they are what honours him. Some of these are :
- We want to be able to honour God’s name by being used in fruitful service by seeing men and women, boys and girls become Christians and grow as obedient disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ. ( Matthew 28 vv 18-20 )
- We will expect our congregation, membership and leaders to reflect the racial diversity of Walthamstow. ( Matthew 28 vv 18-20 )
- We will look to God to raise up Godly leadership and those who can lead various ministries. ( Titus 1 vv 5-10 )
- We will expect to grow in our faith. In the church this will be evidenced by faith, love and hope. ( Colossians 1 vv 4,4 and see appendix )
- We will expect to be involved in spiritual warfare. This will lead us to examine ourselves and reform our lives and fellowship towards greater holiness. ( 1 Peter 1 vv 13-16 )
- We will expect our fellowship together to be characterised by hunger for God’s word, a spirit of prayer, generosity and thankfulness. ( Acts 2 vv 40-47 )
- We will expect to see a general readiness to serve in the church in order to care for one another and reach out with the gospel. ( Romans 12 vv 1-8 )
- We will expect to see a concern for the gospel not only in our own situation but elsewhere, both at home and abroad. ( Matthew 28 vv 18-20 )
- We will expect that the person and work of Christ in the sovereign purposes of God will be central in all we do. ( 1 Corinthians 2v2 )
- We will have an expectancy for the activity of the Holy Spirit who alone can enable the above to become reality. ( Luke 10v13 )
These expectations can help us to know what to pray about for the church.
Immediate Aims
It is good to have expectations but we have to act in faith believing God will work amongst us. ( Philippians 2 vv 12,13 ) The following aims relate to our present situation and will need to be revised as things change.
Worshiping God, joyfully ( Acts 2 vv 46,47 )
- We recognise the special role of the pastor in leading services and preaching God’s word. In addition others are able to play a regular part in the services and many can make vital contributions. We will seek to encourage this. ( Colossians 3v16 )
- We will establish a singing group aimed at encouraging the congregation
Wanting God’s word ( Acts 2v42 )
- We will aim for everyone to have opportunity to meet together for Bible study, prayer and mutual encouragement.
- We will seek to resource every ministry of the church and seek to provide training where it is needed ( Ephesians 4v12 )
- We will aim to encourage personal Bible reading and through suggested reading lists.
Walking before God humbly ( Acts 2 v 42 )
- We will aim to move away from a position of isolation and work with other like minded churches
- We will seek to support where appropriate, local initiatives that are responding to relevant issues that are too big for us as a church.
- We will seek God as to how the buildings should be adapted and used for present day needs.
Working together, unitedly ( Acts 2 v 46 )
- We recognise the responsibility of men to take a lead in the life of the church. We will give attention to encouraging men in their spiritual lives and commitment to ministry in the church. We will also consider in due time establishing a plural leadership of elders supported by deacons.
- We will also make an effort to recognise and develop the gifts and ministries of women.
- We will aim to maintain and develop a friendly atmosphere, free of cliques and extending hospitality to all.
- We will aim to get everyone involved in serving in the church by developing ministry teams.
Witnessing to the gospel, boldly. ( Acts 2 v 47b )
- We recognise the sovereign grace of God in drawing to Himself those he has chosen for salvation and will endeavour to be fruitful in his purpose by developing a vigorous programme of evangelism.
- We will seek God for a fruitful work among children and young people and will actively seek his wisdom for strengthening our present work
- We will aim to give mission a higher profile by being more disciplined in giving out information, featuring them in our prayers and having up to date mission displays. We will also aim to increase our giving.
Ministry Teams
In seeking to give expression to being members of one another ( Romans 12 vv 1-8 ) we will aim to develop ministry teams :
- Pastoral care
- Hospitality
- Church maintenance
- Evangelism
- Mission
- Children and Youth work
- Music
These will take time to develop :
- Pastor Roger will write a brief for each team so there are clear aims.
- Some members will form a team that will meet as needed to plan and review.
- Someone will be team leader.
- The team will be responsible to the pastor and deacons who will oversee them.
- Others will be helpers to the team
- When the teams are up and running people can be encouraged to be helpers soon after they start attending church. A questionnaire will help people see where they fit in.
- Care must be taken not to take on too much i.e. only be involved in one team although someone might also be a helper to another team
Hopefully things will become clearer as they develop.
Appendix
Recognising : Faith, Hope and Love
Faith
Biblical faith describes a personal trust and total reliance by God’s grace on the finished work of Christ for forgiveness and eternal life. In the Church it will be evidenced by :
- An understanding and capacity to delight in God’s sovereignty and saving purposes in Christ
- An appetite for God’s word
- A desire to pray
- A readiness to engage in good works, especially a sharing of material things to help others
- A unity of purpose in the minds of God’s people
- A readiness to actively join together in making Christ known as the only way of salvation
Hope
Biblical hope describes an assured relationship with Jesus Christ giving a sense of security with regard to the future. It will be evidenced by :
- An assurance of salvation
- An anticipation of future resurrection
- A desire for holy living motivated by Christ’s return
- A stable and persevering commitment to Christ
- A boldness and joy in joining together to make Christ know
Love
Biblical love empowers us to become like Christ. In the Church it will be evidenced by :
- Honouring
- Caring equally for
- Sharing burdens with
- Bearing with
- Submitting to
- Teaching
- Encouraging
- Extending hospitality and
- Praying with …….
………one another