Vision Statement
What we as a Community want to be!
“A Christ Centred Community Passionately Committed to Transforming Our World with Christ ”
Our Mission
“Loving People into the Journey of Being Passionate Followers of Christ ”
What Does this Christ Centred Community Look Like?
SPCC’s Empowering, Enduring, Supra-cultural, Essential, Values that serve as the Foundation for the Building of a healthy Christ Centred Community. God’s Kingdom and Church will grow automatically as these values are lived out. These values are Constant (they don’t change for us), Passionate (they move us), Biblical (sourced in God), Distinctive Beliefs (they mark us distinctively as a regional church) that Influence (shape – our decisions, risks, goals, priorities, problems etc.) us. We believe they have been given to us uniquely as a mandate for living out the purposes of Christ together.
Methods are many; Values and Principles are few; Methods may change, but Values and Principles never do!
A Church of Kingdom Influence...
Mark 4:28, Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:42-47 and Acts 5:42, 16:5
We see a regional church of such size and kingdom influence that it impacts the city of South Perth, the State of Western Australia, the nation of Australia and the World. It is a church so healthy that it will always be growing spiritually and numerically
Christ-Centered Servant Leadership
Romans 12:8; Galatians 5:16, 25b; 2 Timothy 2:2 & Ephesians 5:18
We see a church that is committed to raising, training, empowering and releasing generations of Christlike servant leaders. This will be reflected in all ministries of the church
Unity of the Body of Christ
Matthew 28:18-20, John 17; Psalm 133 and Ephesians 4:3-7
We see a church so Kingdom minded that we will count the cost and pay whatever the price to see the church move together in the accomplishment of its mission; we will strive for unity while embracing diversity
Every Member Actively Involved in Ministry
Romans 12:3-8 & 1 Corinthians 12:7-27
We see a church of people who reflect the life of Christ as they love and serve the church, the community, the world; especially the poor and marginalised
Authentic Passionate Prayerful Relationship with Jesus
Joshua 1:8; Matthew 16:18, 19; 2 Corinthians 8:7b; John 16:24 & 1Timothy 4:7b-8We see a church whose people are so dependant on the Holy Spirit; who exercise spiritual disciplines, love the Word of God and Prayer that they know that nothing can stop them or stand against them
A Life of Simplicity and Generosity
Matthew 10:8b; Matthew 11:28b-30 (MsgB); Luke 6:36-39; 9:23ff; Romans 12:1,2; Acts 2:44, 45; 2 Corinthians 3:17; 9:6ff
We see a church committed to a lifestyle of Christlike freedom and simplicity; therefore the way we live and worship is designed to enhance and empower sacrificial, generous living
Wholistic Reproductive Life Groups
Ephesians 4:1b; 1 Thessalonians 2:8 & Colossians 3:12b
We see a church of people committed to connecting in accountable, authentic and relational life groups. These groups are dynamic, intimate and reproductive by nature and are constantly open to embracing new people
Relational Christ-Centred Evangelism
Luke 7:34; John 6:65; Acts 5:42; Acts 8:4 & Galatians 2:20We see a church committed to Spirit led evangelism resulting in relationships of loving integrity; where Christ is shared through our lives
Inspiring Community Celebration
Nehemiah 8:10; Ecclesiastes 3:4; 2 Corinthians 1:3-5; Colossians 3:23; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Malachi 1:6:14 & Revelation 4-5
We see Community Worship that passionately exalts Christ, ushers in the tangible presence of God, inspiring hope and faith
Loving Christ-Centred Relationships
Matthew 22:37-39; Romans 12:10; 13:8-9; 1 Corinthians 13 & 2 Thessalonians 1:3We see a church that is so full of compassion that people are drawn from all situations of life into a loving, accepting community that inspires hope and faith in Christ
Our Beliefs
These are SPCC’s clearly stated Theological beliefs that are Centred on Christ and based on the Bible.
About essential beliefs - we have unity…
Biblical truths are non-negotiable! (e.g., Christ is the only way to knowing God and salvation – John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Colossians 2:17; Ephesians 4:4-6).
About non-essential beliefs - we have liberty.
These are the things that are not essential for getting into heaven. (E.g., 2nd coming viewpoints, alcohol – abstinence versus moderation etc. Romans 14:1, 4, 12, 22; John 8:31-36; 1 Corinthians 10:23 – 11:1).
About all our beliefs - we show Love
God is love. We are commanded to love. The greatest virtue is love. We are commanded to love because God has first loved us. (1 Corinthians 13; John 13:34, 35; Colossians 3:12-17).
Our Centre is Christ, Our Book is the Bible
The centrality of Christ is fundamental to Christian faith and doctrine. The Bible is primarily God’s revelation to man in written form, which finds its fulfilment in Christ. Christ is God’s ultimate revelation to man and our Christian faith is all about our relationship with God through Christ. (John 14:6; Acts 4:13; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:15-20; 2:16-17; 1 John 1:1-4; Revelation 1:8).
Christians Only, but not the Only Christians
We are committed to being known simply as Christians like the early followers of Christ (Acts 11:26). We recognise though that we are just a part of the universal church of Jesus Christ that He loved and gave Himself for (Ephesians 5:25b). It is our desire to commit ourselves to the unity of God’s people as Jesus prayed and longed for (John 17:13-23).
Some Essentials On Which We have Unity
About God
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He eternally exists in three (3) personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God (Genesis 1:26, 27; 3:22, Psalm 90:2, Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14).
About Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He rose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven's glory and will return again some day to earth to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. (Matthew 1:22,23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14,15; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; Romans 1:3,4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14,15; Titus 2:13).
About The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives believers spiritual gifts when they are saved. As Christians we are to live under His control daily. (2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13; 14:16,17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18).
About the Bible
The Bible is God's Word to us. Human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit wrote it. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because God inspires it, it is the truth without any mixture of error. (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20,21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105,160; 12:6; Proverbs 30:5).
About Human Beings
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God's creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called 'sin'. This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life. (Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1,2).
About Salvation
Salvation is God's free gift to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin's penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment a person receives Jesus Christ into their life by faith and this faith will be evidenced through the believer’s obedient life. Salvation is sustained through the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8,9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1; John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; 10:10, 14; 1 Peter 1:3-5).
People were created to exist forever
We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in unison with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence (John 3:16; 1 John 2:25; 1 John 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15; Matthew 18:8; Matthew 25:41, 46).
SPCC Active Member Measures
There are eight (8) key characteristics that we encourage all members of SPCC to embody. An SPCC active member…
- Knows they are a child of God (Conversion)
- Is committed to give verbal witness to their faith (Confession)
- Understands that their relationship and walk with Christ is Central to everything (Christlike Character)
- Is involved with other believers in an area of ministry (Congregation)
- Is committed to meeting with the wider SPCC family in our Community Worship at least every 2 weeks on average over a year (Celebration)
- Is actively committed to the stewardship of their whole life; their time, gifts and money (Contribution)
- Is actively committed and submitted to the Vision, Mission and Values as prayerfully shaped by the leadership of SPCC (Commitment)
- Belongs to a small group of other believers (Community Life Group)
Strategy
SPCC’s simple strategy to reaching people for Christ:
- BRIDGE BUILDING - SPCC’s members building relationships of integrity with people in their world who don’t know the Lord
- SHARING A VERBAL WITNESS – Once a relationship of integrity has been established, believers will have opportunities to share their testimony
- PROVIDING MINISTRIES SENSITIVE TO THE NEEDS OF THE SEEKER – SPCC seeks to nurture this interest through 6 main avenues. The equipping of the believers in respectful personal evangelism (1 Peter 3v15,16), Personal Growth Groups, Life Groups, Compassion Ministry, Community Groups, and the Inspirational Worship Services
- PRAY THEM INTO A RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST AND HIS CHURCH – Each member is encouraged to pray for their non-Christian friends particularly in our Community Life Groups
- PARTICIPATING IN A LIFE GROUP – Believers are encouraged to take the next step in their Christian walk by participating in a Life Group and being involved in the LifeStreams Discipleship course
- INVOLVED IN MINISTRY – Believers who consider SPCC their church home are encouraged to discover, develop and exercise some form of Christian service in the church, community and the world
- EVANGELISM Cycle – With the desire, training and encouragement to build bridges with their non-Christian friends. The new believer has become a witness and Christlike presence within their own circle of influence and the cycle of evangelism is on the move.
SPCC Discipleship Design
Considered an absolute priority in the life of SPCC
We provide intentional training opportunities called LifeStreams to assist all people in seeing Christ formed in them. Imperative to this is membership in a life group. These provide an opportunity for submission to the authority of the Word, accountable relationships and prayer. This discipleship design will continually be under review and evaluation. There is a real emphasis upon the practical and interactive methods of learning. We see life changing retreats, modules and intentional missional experiences to be of vital importance in this process.
How is SPCC Governed?
The necessary but simple organisational body that serve to release and empower the church.
The head of SPCC is Jesus Christ. As a local body we seek to reflect His priorities in all we do and how we do it. No decision is ever made that would knowingly contradict any of Jesus’ teaching. Together we endeavour to discern through the leading of the Holy Spirit what God is saying to us as a church.
Multifaceted Leadership
On a human level, (4) four groups of people direct the ministry of SPCC.
Those bodies are the …
Ministry Leadership Team (M.L.T. our senior ministry staff)
Servant Leadership Team (S.L.T. congregationally appointed leaders)
A.C.T.S. (Appointed, Capable, Trustworthy Servants - a team that provides marketplace expertise and service for the church)
Ministry Staff (These people are called and appointed on the basis of their maturity, Christlike character, experience and spiritual giftedness)
Philosophy of Ministry
Our philosophy of ministry is very simple. We take the unchanging Word of God and constantly seek to apply it to an ever-changing world. This overlap creates our fluid philosophy of ministry.
This requires flexible and fluid structures enabling SPCC to follow the leading of God’s Spirit (John 3:8).
