WHO WE ARE
Our beliefs can be simply summed up in this outline, Two Ways to Live. A more detailed affirmation of our theological beliefs is reflected in this statement of faith here, from Desiring God ministries.
Flowing from all this is our vision. We’re ridiculously passionate about it, and feel privileged that we get to live for it. And it’s very simple:
To impact Croydon
With the good news of Jesus Christ that changes everything
For the glory of God
Why Croydon?
Croydon is London’s second biggest borough, and growing fast. It’s a restless, buzzing, teeming ‘city within a city’. We want to play our part in reaching out to the many lost in this vast borough with the life-transforming – eternity transforming – good news of Jesus.
Our outward-facing values…
We value God
The true and living God is amazing: he’s beautiful, majestic, faithful, kind and generous. In fact he’s better than we could possibly imagine, and the very meaning of life is to get to know him through Jesus. Everyone lives for something, and we want to live for him. And in particular, we value God’s Word, the Bible. We’ve experienced the truth that when God’s Word is faithfully taught and lived out, then God’s Spirit gets active in our lives. And then anything can happen!
We value Croydon
We love Croydon, we’re committed to it, and we want to invest in its future. In particular, we want to be a community in the heart of Croydon where absolutely anyone will find a warm and loving welcome, and be treated with respect. And because we believe that each individual in Croydon has been made by God, we think everyone has lots to offer.
We value Growth
We don’t think we’re perfect. In fact it’s just the opposite! We want God’s Spirit to make us better, happier, stronger, more confident, more content people – even if that involves growing pains by challenging our pride or the little idols we worship. And we love seeing others get to experience this too.
Our internal values…
(Our F.U.E.L.S.)
FAITH
We are faith-filled, big thinking, risk takers. We will never insult God with small dreams or safe living.
URGENCY
Our time is short, our calling is divine, and our enemy is active. “We have all eternity to celebrate our victories, but only one short hour before sunset in which to win them.”
EXCELLENCE
We will always bring our best. Excellence in everything honours God and inspires people.
LOVE
We will relentlessly put God and then others before ourselves. That’s what true love is, and it is the secret to happiness.
SERVANT-HEARTEDNESS
We are spiritual contributors, not spiritual consumers. The church does not exist for us. We are the church, and we exist for the world.