Purpose, Mission, Vision and Ethos

of the

Westminster Presbyterian Church

Purpose

Westminster Presbyterian Church exists to glorify God in congregations of his Church where the restored relationship between God and his people is being realised as a new community which anticipates God's ultimate kingdom.

Mission

Through the establishment of vital, relevant Reformed and Presbyterian churches we seek to bring people to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and assist them to spiritual maturity.

We believe God has called us to focus especially on Australasia and South-East Asia in a manner which is sensitive to the ambient culture.

We recognise our responsibility to...

• our God - to love and serve him;

• our church people - to provide the means and the context in which they can know Jesus and follow him;

• our leaders - to recognise and receive their ministry, train and, where necessary, adequately compensate them;

• our world - to demonstrate God's love by proclaiming the gospel, living with integrity, seeking justice, and showing mercy.

Vision

Our vision is to place a vital, relevant, reformed and presbyterian church within reach of every urban Australian and to encourage such churches throughout the world.

To do this we will commit ourselves to

• continuing a method of careful and effective church planting which results in viable congregations

• major on evangelism as the means of growth in new and established congregations

• training and developing leadership for the future.

Ethos

As a church which holds to the Scriptures, the Westminster Confession of Faith and operates with a Book of Church Order, we especially value ...

• commitment to the Scriptures in all of faith and life;

• adherence to the Westminster Confession of Faith in a manner which does not compromise submission to the authority of Scripture;

• the indigenous expression of Presbyterian Organisation and Reformed and evangelical spirituality;

• our rich heritage, without being bound by tradition;

• commitment to a common purpose with freedom of expression;

• maintaining our distinctive while demonstrating openness, warmth and understanding towards other churches;

• living in the power of the Spirit in a manner which promotes growth towards godliness in all of life;

• evangelism as a process;

• creative evangelistic strategies within biblical parameters, which incorporate people into churches;

• developing churches which are self-supporting, self-governing and self-propagating;

• growth through expansion and consolidation;

• godly, trained leaders;

• open and accountable church government which serves the people;

• parity of elders while preserving the function of Teaching Elders;

• decision making processes based on trust, love, dialogue and a spirit of consensus;

• sessions and presbyteries having primary responsibility for the church;

• pastoral care which honours God and is compassionate to sinners;

• the principle of male headship applied in the church and family;

• privilege and responsibility co-existing in the application of God's covenant to believers and their children;

• a view of Christian service which involves every believer and all of life;

• biblical and authoritative preaching and teaching which helps produce mature and discerning Christians.