At St James we recognise the Bible as God’s word, so what we believe comes from its pages. It makes clear that we can have hope for this life and the next through Jesus Christ, who is revealed in the Bible as “the way, the truth, and the life”. He is the only way for us to know and be reconciled with God, which is the true purpose for which every person exists.
Estrangement and rebellion from God is as old as the human race itself, and is true of every person regardless of their background or moral character. It is a double tragedy: we not only miss out on the wonder of relationship with God, but we are guilty before him and deserve his judgement.
Because of his goodness and love, God has sent his Son into the world to be what we could not – a perfectly faithful human being – and yet to accept God’s judgement for our sin by dying on the cross in our place.
By turning from our resistance to God and trusting in the risen Jesus we can have forgiveness and reconciliation with God, and the expectation of eternal life.
To be Christian is to be part of the kingdom of God which begins with Jesus, includes all who follow him, and will be fully realised at Jesus’ return.
Along with Christians all around the world and over the past 2000 years, our understanding of the Bible’s message is summarised in the historic creeds (belief statements) of the church, and in an Anglican statement called ‘The 39 Articles’.
St James has a rich history of serving the Lord:
10 years from now St James will be a spiritually vibrant church, grounded in the gospel, whose joy and confidence in God overflows in boldness to do courageous things for his purposes in the Inner West and beyond. At St James people will be engaged and inspired, and equipped to live prayerfully as ambassadors for Christ in our homes, workplaces, and all of life. We will be a church of people who love to gather and who are quick to recognise and celebrate God’s good work among us.
Our deepening recognition of God’s generosity to us will overflow in sacrificial service of our community. We will demonstrate God’s love in ways that address needs and make an impact for good in people’s lives.
As we live and proclaim the gospel of Jesus we will make room to include more people of all ages and situations, reflecting the richness of the Inner West. We will encourage and involve the young in our church life. Our joyful commitment to Jesus’s mission will be seen in our willingness to grow as we welcome increasing numbers of newcomers and new believers into our widening congregations.
We will have a formal property masterplan that clarifies the future of the site and addresses constraints on ministry development.
We will be bedding down a new congregation planted with a core of St James regulars, and planning for our next one.
We will be involved in multiple programmes or partnerships that engage St James people in meeting needs in our local community.
We will inspire and equip all regulars to represent Christ in daily life. Every regular will have an ‘over-flow story’, and we will share these stories with each other and in church.
Implement new Belonging Pathway to ensure people settle in easily at St James.
Engage in prayer for overflowing growth in Concord-Burwood North as St Lukes merges with St James.
Encourage St James regulars to bring friends to encounter Jesus for an Alpha Course of 101 people.
Equip 75% of St James regulars to have everyday gospel conversations through the Ripple Effect Course in Growth Groups.
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