OUR CULTURE
FAMILY
EMPOWERING
AUTHENTIC
COURAGEOUS
WHOLEHEARTED
Culture shapes and makes us look and live in a certain way, so it is of great importance to know what our culture is.
Christian culture is defined by God in the Bible, and as we read God's Word, we see the definition of His kingdom culture which we are to live out as His people.
Within this, we have found it helpful to define key aspects of our kingdom culture that highlight what we feel God is calling us to right now in Sydney, Australia.
Click on the culture words to read more about it!
FAMILY
Brothers and sisters in Christ, fathers and mothers in the faith; a community of love from every walk of life.
Key texts: Romans 8:12-17; Ephesians 2:19-22; 1 Peter 2:9-10
- As Christians, we have been adopted into the intimate, inclusive and interdependent family of God.
- As a church we are a family, not a church of families.
- We are a family with genuine love and affection for each other.
- We are a family that embraces people from every walk of life.
- We are a family that affirms all generations and the unique value of singleness.
- As a family, we are a prophetic sign to our city of the wisdom, power, and ‘unity through diversity’ that is made possible by the gospel.
- We respect those who have gone ahead of us and release those coming through.
- We celebrate our family likenesses and embrace individual uniqueness.
- Every believer has a valuable contribution to make, which is expressed in all areas of church life including our corporate worship times.
- We are a local family that celebrates the evidences of grace that we see across the global family of God.
EMPOWERING
Discipling and positioning believers to embrace all that God has called them to be.
Key texts: Ephesians 3:16-19; Ephesians 2:10; 2 Timothy 1:6-7
- Seek the continual infilling of the Holy Spirit because He wants to strengthen you with power so that you become more like Jesus.
- Be yourself because God has a unique plan for you.
- Leaders – equip those you lead, so that they can serve effectively.
- Leaders – help others to identify and develop their gifts with support and encouragement.
- Because of our security in our identity as children of God, and in our relationships with each other, it is safe to make mistakes as we grow.
- Respond to coaching and correction with an appetite for growth.
- Serve and encourage each other, and spur each other on.
AUTHENTIC
Living transparent lives, genuinely acknowledging our failures and victories,
while depending on God for strength to live with integrity and honesty.
Key texts: 1 John 1:5-10; James 5:16
- We feel comfortable to share honestly about how we are dealing with difficulties we are facing.
- Our leadership team honestly communicates the mistakes that have been made as well as the success achieved.
- We don’t judge others when they share vulnerabilities.
- We value others in the same way that God does, viewing them through the lens of his amazing love and grace.
- We value being open and honest with trusted friends when we need support, strengthening our relationship and dependence on God.
COURAGEOUS
Living by faith, boldly stepping into the great adventure of following a faithful God.
Key texts: 2 Corinthians 12:9-10; Judges 7:1-25; Psalm 33:16-18
- We trust God even when his call feels daunting.
- We want to trust God to provide for us, depending on him rather than operating out of our own strength.
- We want our confidence to reflect the security of our identity in Christ.
- We want to be joyfully generous.
- We want to eagerly embrace opportunities to share the gospel.
- As leaders, we want to be the first to take risks for God.
WHOLEHEARTED
Holding an unswerving commitment to passionately worship and serve God.
Key texts: Matt 22:36-38; 2 Chronicles 16:9; Revelation 3:15-20
- God encourages us to seek Him wholeheartedly, just as He has pursued us wholeheartedly.
- Our behaviour will reflect our faith and trust in Him.
- Our worship times together will be passionate responses to God’s love.
- We want our attitude to serving to reflect Jesus’. We serve out of a desire to express our love for others and security in our relationship with God.
- A wholehearted approach to giving is based on the knowledge that all that we have is a gift from God and we are called to give generously and joyfully.
- We want our prayer to be wonderful times of encounter and intimacy.
- We love the presence of God and know that in His presence, we are renewed and prepared for the challenges of life.
- We want to work wholeheartedly for God in whatever setting we are placed. We see our job as a gift and an opportunity to serve.
- When we maintain a wholehearted attitude towards God in difficult times, we learn to persevere and reflect His love for us.
- You don’t need to be an extrovert to be wholehearted towards God.