Our Core Values

In 2001, at a Leaders' Away Day, we decided that the following were the Core Values of St. Marys:

1. Bible
   We value the Bible as the revelation of God, with authority on all matters of doctrine, and the preaching and teaching of the Word as applied to today's world, to enable people to find Christ and follow Him in every sphere of life (2 Timothy 3.16,17).
2. Prayer
   We value reliance on prayer as part of a vital relationship with God and in the conception, planning and execution of the ministries and activities of our church (Matthew 7.7-11).
3. Praise & Worship
   We value engaging with the awesome, purifying and energizing presence of God as a lively, joyful and life-transforming experience. Worship is a lifestyle of 7 days a week service to God (Colossians 3.16).
4. Evangelism
   We value sharing the good news in a culturally relevant way, by befriending and building relationships with the unreached in the hope that they will become followers of Jesus Christ (Matthew 5.16).
5. God's Grace
   We value God's unconditional forgiveness, bought through the sin-bearing death of Jesus Christ on the cross, and we seek to accept and encourage others with the same unconditional love (Ephesians 2.8).
6. Christ's Lordship
   We value whole-hearted and humble devotion to Jesus Christ and his teaching, which is expected and encouraged by every believer in the church community (Philippians 3.7,8).
7. Compassion
   We value heart-felt concern for others, which extends beyond words into action (1 Peter 3.8).
8. Godly Leadership
   We value servant leadership in the pattern of Jesus Christ, with leaders who are gifted, of godly character, biblical vision and influence and who seek to work as part of a team (1 Peter 5.2,3).
9. All People
   We value all people equally, each made in the image of God and personally loved by Him, and we welcome them into our community and show them hospitality, irrespective of who they are, what they believe in or what they have done (Genesis 1.27).
10. Honesty
    We value personal integrity and sincerity in all matters and seek to develop authentic and deep relationships with others in an attitude of mutual accountability and love (Ephesians 4.25).
11. Social Justice
    We value action to care for the poor and disadvantaged and seeking to overthrow injustices in our society (Isaiah 61.1-3).
12. Spirituality
    We value being alive and living life to the full in the power of the Holy Spirit, despite life's difficulties, experiencing the joy and peace of knowing Christ, working and serving others to the best of our ability, being creative, having fun, expressing our emotions, resting and sleeping; and so finding fulfillment in life and reaching our full potential (John 10.10b).