About us

What we believe

The people of St Matthews take the following things seriously and passionately:

Welcoming and accepting all who come, as being made in the image of God

The Bible

• Divinely inspired and infallible as originally given
• Supreme authority in matters of faith and conduct
• Commitment to teaching and living God's word
• Challenging and relevant teaching
• Interactive teaching
• Expository preaching

A variety of styles of meeting together

• 'Contemporary' Worship
• Importance of music
• Freedom of dress (wear what you like!)
• Lay leadership / shared ministry
• Value of our diverse gifts
• Using liturgy
• Sharing in Holy Communion

Discipleship and accountability

• Worshipping God with the whole of our lives
• Homegroups
• Importance of meeting together
• Strong and loving relationships within the church

Valuing and nurturing children and youth

Theology

• Believing God answers prayer
• Substitutionary atonement (centrality of the cross)
• Uniqueness of Christ
• Jesus, fully God and fully human
• Affirming the Apostles and Nicene creed and the 39 articles of the Anglican church
• Active role of the Holy Spirit in the life of every Christian

Caring for the local community

• Showing Christ's compassion in practical ways
• Involvement in the local community

Importance of evangelism

• Building bridges into our community
• Talking about Jesus with others
• Supporting missionaries to the wider world
• Church growth through new Christians

Training for life and ministry

• Supporting Christians in their everyday workplace
• Encouragement towards full time ministry as an option
• Sharing with the diocese and other churches