Statement of Belief.
As a microcosm of the Church across the world, Saint Wilfrid Church has members who hold a range of views on a range of subjects. We view this as a strength. In the tension (and sometimes pain) of our differences, we seek to live together well, in the love of Christ.
As we navigate through the disagreement, we draw on the teaching of St. Augustine, who once taught the following: “In essentials, unity. In non-essentials, liberty. In everything, love.”
Augustine’s teaching emphasizes that certain core teachings in Scripture are essential for unity and experiencing life in God as His family.
While the Church has often divided over less central issues, these should be held with liberty, allowing individuals space to grow in their faith journey.
Essential doctrines anchor the Church, while non-essentials, though important, should be approached with grace.
Above all, love must define the Church—right belief must be held and expressed in love, as Jesus did, making the Body of Christ a living reflection of Him.
All our values and practices are expressions of a life of discipleship — following Jesus together and being continually formed into His likeness.
Foundational Values and Practices.
We have four Foundational Values:
Dependence on God
Love and Humility
Generosity and Stewardship
Commitment and Community
These are supported by four Foundational Practices:
Prayer - We seek to live in continual dependence on God through prayer — listening to His voice, interceding for others, and aligning our hearts with His purposes. Prayer is both personal and communal, the foundation of all ministry and mission.
Serving - We follow the example of Christ, who came not to be served but to serve. Through acts of love and humility, we use our gifts to build up the body of Christ and to meet the needs of others within the church and wider community.
Giving - Generosity is an act of worship and trust. We give of our resources — time, finances, and abilities — as stewards of all that God has entrusted to us, investing in His Kingdom and supporting the life and mission of the church.
Attending - We are committed to gathering together as a community of believers — in worship, fellowship, and shared learning. Attending regularly expresses our belonging to the body of Christ and strengthens our unity, encouragement, and discipleship.
Discipleship is not an additional value or practice, but the way we live out each one: showing compassion as Jesus did, proclaiming His Word, encountering God in prayer and worship, and bearing witness through our lives and mission.
Expressed Values and Practices.
We also have four Expressed Values:
Compassion and Justice
Proclamation of the Word
Encounter with God
Evangelism
These are supported by four Expressed Practices:
Serving the Poor - as followers of Jesus who learn His compassion in action
Teaching and Preaching - forming disciples through the Word
Worship and Communion - deepening our life with God as His disciples
Witness and Mission - living as disciples who make disciples
Our values are not abstract ideas — they are drawn from Scripture, revealed in the life of Jesus, and embodied in the early Church.
Values and Practices in Scripture, the Life of Jesus, and the early Church.
1. Dependence on God – Prayer
Scriptural Roots
Genesis 4:26 – Humanity first calls on the name of the Lord.
Psalm 63:1–8 – The soul thirsts for God in every season.
Philippians 4:6–7 – Prayer brings peace through trust in God.
In the Life of Jesus
Jesus prays at every turning point (Luke 3:21; 6:12–13; 22:39–46).
He teaches His disciples to pray (Matthew 6:9–13).
His prayer on the cross (“Father, into your hands I commit my spirit,” Luke 23:46) shows total dependence.
In the Early Church
The Church “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42).
Prayer accompanies every major moment — the choosing of leaders (Acts 1:24), miracles (Acts 3:1–8), and mission (Acts 13:2–3).
Summary
Prayer forms the heartbeat of the Church — dependence on God expressed through communion and surrender.
Foundational Values & Practices.
2. Love and Humility – Serving
Scriptural Roots
Micah 6:8 – God calls His people to love mercy and walk humbly.
Philippians 2:3–5 – “In humility value others above yourselves.”
John 13:1–17 – Jesus washes His disciples’ feet as an example of servant love.
In the Life of Jesus
Jesus declares His mission “not to be served but to serve” (Mark 10:45).
He heals, feeds, and restores those society overlooks.
His humility is most fully revealed in the cross (Philippians 2:8).
In the early Church
The disciples appoint deacons to serve the poor and maintain fairness (Acts 6:1–6).
The Church shares its possessions so “there were no needy persons among them” (Acts 4:34).
Paul reminds the Galatians to “serve one another humbly in love” (Galatians 5:13).
Summary
Jesus models love through service, and the early Church continues His pattern of humble care and mutual support.
3. Generosity and Stewardship – Giving
Scriptural Roots
Deuteronomy 15:10 – “Give generously… and the Lord will bless you.”
Proverbs 11:25 – “A generous person will prosper.”
2 Corinthians 9:6–11 – God loves a cheerful giver.
In the Life of Jesus
Jesus gives freely — time, attention, healing, and ultimately His life (John 10:11).
He praises the widow’s small offering (Mark 12:41–44).
His feeding miracles show God’s abundance shared (Mark 6:41–44).
In the Early Church
Believers sell property and possessions to share with those in need (Acts 2:45).
Barnabas exemplifies generosity (Acts 4:36–37).
Paul commends the Macedonians for giving beyond their means (2 Corinthians 8:1–5).
Summary
The generosity of Jesus is mirrored in the early Church — giving as an act of trust and a witness to God’s provision.
4. Commitment and Community – Attending
Scriptural Roots
Genesis 2:18 – “It is not good for man to be alone.”
Hebrews 10:24–25 – “Do not give up meeting together.”
Acts 2:42–47 – The first believers gather regularly, share meals, and worship together.
In the Life of Jesus
Jesus lives in community with the Twelve (Mark 3:13–19).
He participates in synagogue worship (Luke 4:16).
He builds a family of faith, not just followers (Mark 3:35).
In the Early Church
Believers meet “every day in the temple courts and in their homes” (Acts 2:46).
They share life, possessions, and worship as one body (Acts 4:32).
The community becomes the visible sign of God’s kingdom.
Summary
Prayer forms the heartbeat of the Church — dependence on God expressed through communion and surrender.
1. Compassion and Justice – Serving the Poor
Scriptural Roots
Isaiah 58:6–10 – True worship is to “share your bread with the hungry.”
Proverbs 31:8–9 – “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.”
Matthew 25:31–46 – To serve the least is to serve Christ.
In the Life of Jesus
He begins His ministry declaring good news to the poor (Luke 4:18).
He touches the untouchable, heals the excluded, and defends the oppressed.
His compassion always leads to action (Mark 1:40–42).
In the Early Church
Care for widows and the needy is organised (Acts 6:1–6).
Paul gathers offerings for the poor in Jerusalem (2 Corinthians 8–9).
James defines “pure religion” as caring for orphans and widows (James 1:27).
Summary
Both Jesus and the early Church reveal that compassion and justice are inseparable from true discipleship.
Expressed Values & Practices.
2. Proclamation of the Word – Teaching and Preaching
Scriptural Roots
Isaiah 55:11 – God’s word accomplishes what He desires.
Romans 10:17 – “Faith comes from hearing the message.”
2 Timothy 4:2 – “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season.”
In the Life of Jesus
Jesus preaches repentance and the kingdom (Matthew 4:17).
His parables reveal divine truth through everyday stories.
He opens the Scriptures after His resurrection (Luke 24:27, 32).
In the early Church
Peter’s sermon at Pentecost (Acts 2:14–41) leads to thousands coming to faith.
The apostles continually proclaim “the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31).
Paul’s ministry is centred on teaching “the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27).
Summary
From Jesus’ lips to the apostles’ preaching, proclamation is central to God’s mission — truth spoken in power transforms lives.
3. Encounter with God – Worship and Communion
Scriptural Roots
Exodus 12 – The Passover meal as remembrance of salvation.
Luke 22:19–20 – Jesus institutes the Lord’s Supper.
Acts 2:42; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26 – The early Church gathers around Word and Table.
In the Life of Jesus
Jesus sanctifies ordinary meals, turning them into encounters of grace (Luke 5:29–32; 24:30–31).
At the Last Supper, He gives bread and wine as signs of His body and blood.
His post-resurrection meals reaffirm communion and fellowship.
In the Early Church
“They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts” (Acts 2:46).
Worship and the sacraments nurture unity, identity, and thanksgiving.
Paul instructs the Corinthians on celebrating the Lord’s Supper with reverence and love (1 Corinthians 11:17–34).
Summary
Worship and the sacraments anchor the Church’s life in God’s grace — a continual rhythm of remembrance, thanksgiving, and renewal.
4. Evangelism – Witness and Mission
Scriptural Roots
Genesis 12:1–3 – Abraham is blessed to be a blessing to all nations.
Isaiah 49:6 – God’s people are called “a light to the nations.”
Matthew 28:18–20 – Jesus sends His disciples to make disciples.
In the Life of Jesus
Jesus seeks the lost (Luke 19:10) and sends His followers to do the same.
He speaks to the Samaritan woman (John 4) and crosses social boundaries for the sake of the gospel.
He promises the Spirit to empower witness “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
In the Early Church
The gospel spreads from Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria, and beyond (Acts 1:8; 8:4–8; 13:1–3).
The Church at Antioch becomes a missionary community (Acts 11:19–26).
Paul and Barnabas embody the outward movement of God’s mission.
Summary
The risen Jesus sends the Church to continue His mission. Evangelism is the overflow of a community alive with God’s love.