Gospel Convictions
As outlined in our Statement of Beliefs, we hold that God’s authoritative word, the Bible, teaches that the gospel is God’s power for salvation for everyone who believes. It is the announcement that Jesus Christ alone is humanity’s Lord and Saviour because he conquered sin, death, and the devil through his death and resurrection. The Bible declares God’s almighty and loving work in creation, the Father’s righteous condemnation of sinful humanity, humanity’s absolute inability to contribute to their own salvation, and God’s free grace and sovereignty in working the salvation of his chosen people. The Bible teaches that Jesus’ atoning work is:
- completely effective for the sake of the elect;
- the effective and regenerating call of the gospel by God’s Holy Spirit;
- and the certain preservation and perseverance of the saints to eternal glory with God in his new creation.
Ministry Convictions
In prayerful dependence on the Holy Spirit, gospel-centred ministry proclaims the Lordship of Jesus Christ, among all kinds of people, to God’s glory. This requires steadfast commitment to the careful exposition and explanation of the Bible, which is the trustworthy record and revelation of God’s unfolding gospel plan from creation to the new creation. The fruit of Christian ministry is entirely the work of the Holy Spirit, who brings about repentance and faith in those who are regenerated and works in them to produce a life of holiness and works of love. God calls and equips both men and women for ministry, and we delight in the Biblical pattern of complementary partnership in serving the Lord.
Convictions About Advancing the Gospel
Local Church
Convinced that the Lord Jesus equips each local church for the ministry that he has entrusted to them, we long to see local churches filled with people who walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, bearing fruit in every good work and growing in their love and knowledge of God. To this end, we work to help strengthen, encourage, and equip local churches where appropriate, and promote cooperation and collaboration between churches and church leaders who share these convictions.
Bible Teaching
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16). Therefore, we seek to promote the reading and careful study of the Scriptures among God’s people, the use of God’s word in evangelism, and faithful preaching of the Scriptures as central for the health of the local church.
Christian Leaders
We are convinced that the gospel, revealed progressively in the Old and New Testaments, comes to its climax in the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ, especially in his death and resurrection. We seek to encourage Christian leaders to proclaim the gospel boldly and to persevere in the work of encouraging and equipping every Christian to share and live out the gospel.
We are convinced that Christian leaders have a responsibility to prayerfully and intentionally select, train and commission leaders, both men and women, for gospel mission. For this reason, we seek to identify, develop and promote opportunities for leaders, both men and women, to be equipped for this responsibility and assist those God is raising up to be involved in existing and pioneering work.
Partnership
We are convinced that like-minded church leaders joining together for prayer, training, and mutual encouragement in gospel work can help advance the gospel. This means we aim to develop and promote opportunities for church leaders to connect, network, extend, collaborate, and be encouraged in effective ministry.
We are convinced that a broader gospel reach will involve strengthening existing ministries and potentially establishing new ones, including in regional South Australia. Therefore, where appropriate, we will aim to support, promote, and encourage ministries where godly and gifted leadership is available and willing to undertake this work, including pioneering initiatives.