Mission, Vision and Values

We have agreed a statement of Mission, Vision and Values, which we are committed to reviewing on a regular basis: We are a Christian church community whose members and friends believe that God’s love is for all. As a church we are committed to sharing the love of God in Christ Jesus with all. We try to do this by what we say and do.

Our mission statement

Abbey Lane and Newport United Reformed Church aims to be a welcoming Christian community in the reformed tradition, which seeks to:

  • Proclaim the Gospel (Good News) of Jesus Christ
  • Grow in faith
  • Reach out in service to our neighbours near and far

Our Vision

Through our personal and shared witness we seek to demonstrate and celebrate our
faith welcoming the people of our local communities and inviting them to join us in exploring the Christian faith and its relevance for people today.

Our Values

Our vision and mission are supported by our key values:

WORSHIP
  • As Christians, sharing in worship plays an important part in the life of this fellowship.
  • We explore God’s Word as revealed in the Bible under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
  • We aim to join in worship which is inspiring, accessible and worthy of the God to whom it is offered.
  • We recognise that God can reach people through many different aspects of worship including preaching, music, drama, interactive worship, prayer and silence.
  • We value children and adults of all ages as part of the church and an integral part of our worshipping community.
EVANGELISM / MISSION / OUTREACH
  • As disciples of Jesus Christ, we encourage members of our church family to make their faith an active part of their life and their interaction with friends and neighbours and to seek opportunities to share the life and activities of the church.
  • Through our giving and practical engagement in projects we will seek to demonstrate God’s priority for people who face hardship and discrimination.
CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
  • In our work with children and young people we seek to share the Christian faith so that they can make an informed choice.
  • The church is committed to fully implementing the Good Practice guidelines for working with children and young people.
SAFEGUARDING
  • The safety of all people in our care is paramount.
FELLOWSHIP
  • Everyone is welcome in our church.
  • We value everyone for who they are.
  • We recognise that everyone has a contribution to make to the life of the church.
  • We encourage everyone to recognise the gifts God has given them, and to use them in His service
  • We encourage mutual pastoral care.
  • We value the importance and power of prayer, and encourage all to pray regularly for the church, the community and the world.
  • We abide by the constitution of Abbey Lane and Newport United Reformed Church

The Biblical basis for our Mission:

In analysing the Biblical basis for our Mission, we take account of the five marks of mission

 

TELL

To proclaim the good news of the Kingdom

TEACH

To teach, baptise and nurture new believers

TEND

To respond to human need by loving service

TRANSFORM

To seek to transform unjust structures of society

TREASURE

To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and to sustain the life of
the earth

We identify with Moses and some of the prophets who felt unworthy and reluctant to undertake what God asked and with characters in the Gospels like the rich young ruler for whom Jesus’ ‘counsel of perfection’ must have been alarmingly radical. We encourage one another to be responsible citizens of the kingdom, accepting God’s call and seeking to make progress in personal pilgrimage and public service.

We know that Jesus’ close disciples learned more from Him than He explained to the crowds. Therefore we not only join in high profile activities as Churches Together in Saffron Walden and organise ‘breakfast’ and ‘invitation’ services, but also provide varied input to regular services and worship and opportunities for Bible Study, prayer and quiet days.

We learn from the prominence of children in the Bible such as Samuel, David, Jesus as a baby and at twelve years, Jairus’ daughter and the widow’s son at Nain as well as Jesus’ insistence that children should come to Him, as reflected in our activities with children.

We hear the appeal repeated in the Old Testament to consider ‘aliens and sojourners’ and are impressed by Jesus’ regard for contemporary social outcasts.

We try hard to be properly inclusive, to engage actively in projects which are supportive of people in need and to support local and international charities.