The Warwick Team Ministry
What do we believe?
As Christians, we believe in one LOVING God that exists in three persons, the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. Mankind was created specifically to have a relationship with God but, because of sin, all people are separated from him. In order to restore that personal relationship, Jesus, fully God and yet fully man came to earth and died to save us from our sins. He then rose again, defeating death, and now lives with the Father, in Heaven praying on our behalf. God then sent his Holy Spirit to inspire our hearts and enable us to continue his work until he comes again.
As Christians, we believe in one LOVING God that exists in three persons, the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. Mankind was created specifically to have a relationship with God but, because of sin, all people are separated from him. In order to restore that personal relationship, Jesus, fully God and yet fully man came to earth and died to save us from our sins. He then rose again, defeating death, and now lives with the Father, in Heaven praying on our behalf. God then sent his Holy Spirit to inspire our hearts and enable us to continue his work until he comes again.
Our Vision as set out in the logo is: -
“Building up the Body of Christ - In the power of His Spirit - To reach His World”.
This links in with the Diocesan Priorities of worshipping God, making new Christians and Disciples and transforming communities.
Ultimately, if we truly worship God, we will want to do what God wants and he promises to supply the resources we need - “If you love me you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counsellor to be with you for ever - the Spirit of truth.” John 14:15.
Whilst “all scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man (and woman) of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16), there are some specific texts where Jesus gives good insight as to how he saw his own ministry, what he saw as important, and what he instructed his disciples to do. There are also some pointers in the early church as to what they saw as important.
How Christ saw his Ministry: Luke 4: 18-19 (referring to Isaiah 61:1 & 2) - “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”
Mark 10:45 - “...the Son of Man did not come to be served. He came to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many people.”
The Greatest Commandment: Mark 12:28-34 [also in Matthew 22:34 - 40 (referring to Deuteronomy 6:2 & Leviticus 19:18.)] - “’The most important (commandment) is this … ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength’. The second is this ’Love your neighbour as yourself’.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
The Great Commission: Matthew 28:16-20 “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising 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.”
The Early Church: Acts 2:42 “They (the believers) devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship and to prayer.”
As Disciples of Christ we seek to be: Christ Centred - being obedient to what Christ asks of his followers. Spirit Empowered - knowing our need of and actively seeking God’s Holy Spirit. Glorifying the Father - ensuring that the glory for all that we do is given to the Father.
The Values which we believe will enable us to do this are: (a) Expecting and seeking more of God (b) Rooted in Scripture (c) Built upon prayer (d) Obedient to Christ’s command (e) Forgiven & forgiving (f) Making disciples (g) Fruit bearing (h) Grace pervading (i) Love enhancing (j) affirmation (k) encouragement and (l) respect.
Paul in his letters perhaps gives an indication of what some of this might look like - the epistle to love: (1 Corinthians 13) “Love is patient, kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” - The fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self–control.”
If we could begin to live out these values we would bring glory to God. It is not something that we can do in our own strength, but only in the strength that God supplies.
May God do immeasurably more than we can ask or conceive as we seek to offer ourselves in his love and service.
“Building up the Body of Christ -
This links in with the Diocesan Priorities of worshipping God, making new Christians and Disciples and transforming communities.
Ultimately, if we truly worship God, we will want to do what God wants and he promises to supply the resources we need -
Whilst “all scripture is God-
How Christ saw his Ministry: Luke 4: 18-
The Greatest Commandment: Mark 12:28-
The Great Commission: Matthew 28:16-
The Early Church: Acts 2:42 “They (the believers) devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship and to prayer.”
As Disciples of Christ we seek to be: Christ Centred -
The Values which we believe will enable us to do this are: (a) Expecting and seeking more of God (b) Rooted in Scripture (c) Built upon prayer (d) Obedient to Christ’s command (e) Forgiven & forgiving (f) Making disciples (g) Fruit bearing (h) Grace pervading (i) Love enhancing (j) affirmation (k) encouragement and (l) respect.
Paul in his letters perhaps gives an indication of what some of this might look like -
If we could begin to live out these values we would bring glory to God. It is not something that we can do in our own strength, but only in the strength that God supplies.
May God do immeasurably more than we can ask or conceive as we seek to offer ourselves in his love and service.