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THE VISION of JPC (Jesmond Parish Church) is summed up as

GODLY LIVING,

CHURCH GROWTH

and CHANGING BRITAIN.

This comes from the Great Commandments of Jesus and his Great Commission.

GODLY LIVING is based on the First and Greatest Commandment.

"Jesus [said], 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment" (Matthew 22.37-38). So Godly Living covers personal religion (prayer, bible reading, fellowship and witness - at home and abroad); accepting the importance of the Christian fellowship - the church - and its sacraments (baptism and the Lord's supper); belonging through small groups; biblical finance; Christian reading; and care for the poor - at home and abroad. There needs to be, therefore, a commitment to our God that is total: and such a commitment is only through Jesus Christ himself (John 14.6)

We, therefore, want to be a church where everyone is growing in Godly living. In essence, this means following Jesus Christ as Lord and being filled with the Holy Spirit daily.

To be specific and practical, this will mean for each member of the church: -

  • Spending time in reading the Bible and in prayer each day
  • Being committed to a regular bible study group and prayer group/ triplet
  • Coming each week to worship God with the congregation at Jesmond Parish Church
  • Being in the giving scheme and giving a proportion of our income to God's work regularly and systematically, being involved in Christian service both in the church and in the 'world'
  • Learning to share the Christian faith

CHURCH GROWTH is based on the Great Commission. "Jesus … said, 'All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you'" (Matthew 28.19-20). So Church Growth covers evangelism at home and abroad; expository preaching; youth work; work with students - both UK students and international students; learning from and helping other churches; pastoral care; the welcome and incorporation of newcomers; the music ministry; overseas mission; for those at JPC, C.L.A.S.S.(our Christian Life and Service Seminars); and the use of the public media. The goal is disciples, not just decisions. New converts need to learn from the example of the early Christians who "devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and prayer." And they committed themselves financially as well (Acts 2.42.45).

So we have a vision of a church growing as people are converted to Christ and experience friendship and care in Jesmond Parish Church.

Specifically this will mean for us: -

  • Increasing the numbers of small groups in the church
  • Training and equipping every leader and group member relevantly
  • Helping all leaders to set goals and to review them
  • Increasing staff and facilities to support the growing ministry at Jesmond Parish Church
  • Improving our support for Christian mission around the world

CHANGING BRITAIN is based on the Second Great Commandment. "And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbour as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments" (Matthew 22.39-40). To the question "And who is my neighbour?" Jesus replied with the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10.25-37). Love for your neighbour needs to begin at home and locally. That is a simple way to Change Britain. However, in a democracy, love in the public sphere means justice and doing what is best for society as a whole. And God's will is best. Hence we should both evangelise and seek God's standards in public life; and also take any positive practical initiatives where there is opportunity and need (1 Timothy 2.2-3). Changing Britain covers influencing education; influencing the media; influencing politics; influencing the therapeutic services; influencing commerce; and re-evangelizing the nation.

So we believe at Jesmond Parish Church that we should stand up for Christian values where we live and work, pray for our leaders in Britain and for a widespread acceptance of the gospel. We should also support individuals who are seeking to bring a Christian influence to bear in our culture by political means. The well-being of British society depends on the presence of a healthy Christian influence.

Specifically, this will mean for the church: -

  • Addressing moral and social issues from a Christian perspective
  • Equipping Christians for service in the secular world
  • Encouraging church growth nationwide
  • Upholding Christian values in education
  • Establishing a Christian voice in the media
  • Working for biblical renewal in the Church of England

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