Vision Statement
To continue to build a loving, caring, nurturing, Bible-based fellowship, which strives to live out the Great Commission of the Lord Jesus Christ; as we live for Christ, proclaim Christ, share Christ, and grow in Christ.
The Great Commission
Mt.28:18-20 - Then 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."
Living for Christ
- In Christ, we are a new creation and no longer live for ourselves, but fully surrender our lives to Christ; striving to give Him glory, praise and thanksgiving in every area of our lives.
- Mt.16:24 – If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
- 2 Cor.5:15 – And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
- Rom.12:1 – Therefore, I urge you ... in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.
Proclaiming Christ
- Publicly declaring the Good News of Christ to all people.
- John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
- 1 Cor.1:18 – For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
- Rom.3:23-24 - For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
Sharing Christ
- As followers of Christ we strive to be an outward looking church, sharing the Gospel by word and demonstrating God’s love, grace, mercy & compassion.
- Mt.5:16 – Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
- Heb.13:16 – Do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
- Eph.5:1-2 - Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Growing in Christ
- We strive to grow in our relationship with God by faithfully obeying His Word, yielding to His Spirit and being fully committed to the fellowship of believers.
- Acts 2:42 – They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
- John 15:5 – I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
- Gal.5:25 – Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
In more detail, we commit ourselves to:
God’s Word
- The faithful proclamation of the Bible
- The Bible permeating every aspect of our life and ministry
- Individually studying, meditating, memorising, praying through and living out the Bible
- Gathering together regularly to study the Bible
Prayer
- Coming before the Lord both individually & collectively with prayers of adoration, confession, thanksgiving and supplication
- Ensuring that we set time aside to pray both individually and collectively
- Covering every aspect of our lives & ministry in prayer
- Praying for the community and the world that we live in
- Go on growing in our devotional life through God’s Word and prayer
Discipleship
- Loving God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength
- A life-long journey of discipleship - being disciples, making disciples and helping others in their discipleship
- Ensuring that Duncan Street Baptist Church is resourcing people and providing the necessary forums for helping people grow in their discipleship
- Helping new Christians grow from the time of their conversion & subsequent baptism by getting alongside them and involving them in the discipleship ministries of the church
The fellowship of believers
- The teaching of God’s Word, to the fellowship, to regular participation of the Lord’s Supper and to prayer
- Treating each other with compassion, kindness, humility and patience; loving one another and building each other up in the faith
- A leadership which recognises people’s gifts and enables them to utilise them in serving God
- Ensuring that we are a fellowship which constantly looks to the cross
Evangelism & Mission
- Witnessing for the Lord in all of our relationships – home, family, work, neighbours, immediate community and all across the globe
- Enabling & equipping people for evangelism through regular teaching & training
- Prayerfully & financially supporting Christian missionary organisations
- Recognising the needs within our communities and responding in a Christ-like manner as we strive to both proclaim & embody the Gospel as we meet people at their point of need
Worship
- Bringing praise to God by the way that we live, speak, act and think
- Living every minute of every day under the Lordship of Christ
- Publicly praising God for the work of the cross
- Gathering together to worship God each Lord’s day through praise, prayer and the reading and preaching of God’s Word.
Stewardship
- Being cheerful, generous & sacrificial givers
- Being wise with the talents and resources that God has given us
- Continually thanking God for what He has done for us and has given us, praying that we would never become ungrateful or complacent