Our Values

Our values are what we see as defining what is both distinctive to our congregation and what we share with the other congregations at Christchurch Chinese Church and the wider Christian community.  It is to these values that we return when deciding on new directions, issues of conflict, and priorities.

 These values are not set in concrete and will be regularly reviewed as the congregation develops and grows.  They are listed in no particular order of importance.  Our vales are:

• Christian community: We believe in providing a safe, loving, and fun environment where people can belong.  That includes all people regardless of culture, social status, age, or attributes and abilities.  We believe in a community where people genuinely care for one another and serve each other in radical community: following in the footsteps of Jesus.

• Diversity: We believe that all people should find acceptance within our congregation; regardless of age, culture, or social status.  We believe in being intentional about this diversity and recognise that this will lead to challenges and growth opportunities for people within the congregation.

• Salvation for all: We believe that humankind was made in God's image.  We also believe that at the fall that image was tarnished and that we are all sinners in need of salvation.  We are committed to serving Jesus by reaching out to all people with his message of salvation for all.

• Reconciliation: We believe that Jesus came to bring reconciliation between all people.  Our congregation should be a safe place where reconciliation can occur and as such be a model to a society struggling to cope with the evil of racism in its many forms. 

• Unity: We believe in unity for the sake of mission.  Such unity operates in conjunction with the values of diversity and servant leadership. 

• Servant leadership: We believe that true unity is found when the members of a community serve one another.  Servant leadership is important to us.   

• The priesthood of believers: We believe that there is only one high priest - Jesus.  We believe that all members of our congregation are ministers and that their whole lives are ministry.  The aim of the leadership will be to empower and enable the talents of all within the congregations to shine in service of God - be that in their families at home, their workplaces, church activities, or their wider community involvement. 

• Family: We believe in honouring family as part of our worship to God.  We will encourage our members to be responsible, loving, and serving members of their family. 

• Generosity: We believe in having a generous heart.  We recognise that people have different gifts and personal circumstances and we will encourage people to be generous with what they have available to give:  be that time, money or talents. 

• Prayers: We believe in prayer as the vital line of communication between God and his people.  We want to be people who are dependent on God and at the same time active in stepping out and using those abilities that he has given us.  A commitment to time in prayer is an important ingredient in developing and growing in relationship with God. 

• Worship: We believe in joyful praise and sincere worship.  We will encourage an openness to genuine cultural expressions of worship that are edifying to the congregation as a whole.