Vision and Mission Unpacking Document 

Vision Statement Unpacked

We want to see TAB

• “as a hub of hope” – Like the spokes in a wheel going out as salt and light permeating into our families, communities and the world with the love and grace of Jesus.  A Hub where people can come and meet with the living God, finding hope, being touched by His love and grace.  A Hub where people are resourced to go and live out their lives before God and men.  A Hub of prayer where we believe that nothing is impossible with God. (Jeremiah 29:11, Isaiah 40:31, Colossians 1:27, Psalm 147:11)

• Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
• Isaiah 40:31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
• Colossians 1:27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
• Psalm 147:11 the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love. 

• “In Christ” – We believe in the centrality of the cross of Christ and that in Him alone our hope is found.  He is our salvation and apart from Him we can do nothing.  He is the well-spring of our faith, strength and hope.  We believe that His blood cleanses us from all sin and that in Him we have new life to live in the fulness of all that God created us to be.  (Isaiah 9:6 Colossians 1:15, Colossians 2:9, John 1:14, John 14:6 , John 10:30, Acts 4:12 , 1 Corinthians 1:18)

• Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
• Colossians 1:15 “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation”
• Colossians 2:9 “For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form” 
• John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
• John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
• John 10:30 "I and the Father are one."
• Acts 4:12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
• 1 Corinthians 1:18 “For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 

• “where lives are healed and restored” – We believe in the power of Jesus to heal our broken world, where lives are changed by the power of forgiveness, where they are nurtured, and through the grace of God know healing and restoration.  We believe Jesus came so we might know the unconditional love of God and be changed by his grace.  (1 Peter 5:10, Philippians 1:6, Isaiah 43:1-2, Isaiah 41:10, Jeremiah 30:17, Philippians 4:19, 1 Thessalonians 5:14)

• 1 Peter 5:10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
• Philippians 1:6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
• Isaiah 43:1-2 But now, this is what the Lord says—he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
• Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
• Jeremiah 30:17 But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,’ declares the Lord, ‘because you are called an outcast, Zion for whom no one cares.’
• Philippians 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 

• “by the transforming power of the gospel of Jesus Christ” – We start, stay and end with Christ in all we do.  We declare the gospel has the power to change lives and that God longs to see a transformation in every area of our lives: providing our needs, healing our hurts, filling us with hope.  There is power in the name of Jesus. (2 Corinthians 3:18, Romans 12:2, John 4:14)

• 2 Corinthians 3:18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
• Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
• John 4:14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.
• Jude 24-25 To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Saviour be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. 

Mission Statement Unpacked

We Glorify God by

• Providing a vibrant welcoming place of worship where people meet with God. – A Jesus-centred community learning to celebrate together our vibrant diversity, seeing that all ethnicities, cultures and classes find a welcoming church where kindness and hospitality are the hallmark A safe place to express ourselves and know a loving community, a family.  Being drawn into the presence of God declaring His Goodness and Sovereignty.  A church which models the generous heart of God in its own generosity.  (Haggai 2:9, Hebrews 10:24-25, Colossians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 1:10, 1 John 1:7, John 13:34)

• Haggai 2:9 ‘The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the Lord Almighty. ‘And in this place I will grant peace,’ declares the Lord Almighty.
• Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
• Colossians 3:16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
• 1 Corinthians 1:10 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.
• 1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin
• John 13:34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 

• Discipling, Equipping, Enabling and Energising the people of God for acts of service. -  We aim to be a Holy Spirit filled people demonstrating the fruits and gifts of the spirit and the character of Christ, to grow as disciples of Jesus, grow as a church community and grow in effective mission, to equip and inspire us to live for Christ, and to develop our gifts and ministries for acts of service.  We disciple disciple-makers, seeing people being transformed by the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit as they study the word of God and interact with fellow believers. In equipping people for ministry, we want to see them having a passion for God and a missional lifestyle (Col. 1:9-14, Ephesians 4:11-13, Acts 2:42, 2 Timothy 4:2, Acts 13:2-3).

• Colossians 1:9-14 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
• Ephesians 4:11-13 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
• Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
• 2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.
• Acts 13:2-3 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. 

• Reaching out to all peoples with Jesus’ transforming message of love, hope, forgiveness and grace. – We seek to express the transforming love of Christ in word and deed, both as individuals and through the life and activities of the church, living out God's heart for the marginalised and the poor, touching households with the message of hope.  We want to reach out in mission to a hurting world and see it transformed by Christ’s love and grace.  We want the world to know God redeems.  We want to see people come to know the power and freedom of forgiveness both in their own lives and as they seek to forgive others, to influence their community with involvement in all spheres of society. (1 Chronicles 16:24, Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 1:8, Acts 13:47, Psalm 96:3, 1 John 1:9, Col. 3:13)

• 1 Chronicles 16:24 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvellous deeds among all peoples.
• Matthew 28:19-20 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. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
• Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
• Acts 13:47 For this is what the Lord has commanded us: “‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’
• Psalm 96:3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvellous deeds among all peoples.
• 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
• Colossians 3:13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

We will focus our energy and efforts on the following key areas:

• Discipleship and pastoral care: We will seek to encourage one another in discipleship, to show care for people at all stages of life, including families, singles and those who have joined us from overseas. We want to see people being passionate disciples of Jesus in their daily lives, living for Him and serving Him.  Small groups remain at the heart of TAB life as we learn, worship and grow in community together. (Matthew 28:19–20, John 15:16, Ephesians 4:16, 2 Timothy 2:2, 2 Corinthians 1:4, 1 Peter 5:2)

• Matthew 28:19-20 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, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
• John 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.
• Ephesians 4:16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
• 2 Timothy 2:2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.
• 2 Corinthians 1:4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
• 1 Peter 5:2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve 
   

• Work with children and youth: We aim to provide a flourishing and expanding youth work where children and young people (and their families) feel that they belong and are nurtured and encouraged in the Christian faith.  (2 Timothy 3:14-15, Matthew 18:2-6)

• 2 Timothy 3:14-15 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
• Matthew 18:2-6 He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. 

• Work with seniors: Acknowledging that the proportion of the population in this age bracket is increasing we will seek to build on present activities and address the corresponding growing pastoral and spiritual needs. (Leviticus 19:32, Psalm 71:9, James 1:27)

• Leviticus 19:32 “‘Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord.
• Psalm 71:9 Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone.
• James 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. 
   

• The marginalised: We seek to see the rights and dignity of every person respected, where all have access to the basic needs in life: refugee, homeless, the poor and hungry. In reaching out we seek to be compassionate, humble and patient that they might see and know Jesus.  We will seek to do this in partnership with other churches and organisations.  (Deuteronomy 10:18, Hosea 14:3, Psalm 68:5-6, Luke 4, Matthew 25:31-46, James 1:27)

• Deuteronomy 10:18 He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing.
• Hosea 14:3 Assyria cannot save us; we will not mount warhorses. We will never again say ‘Our gods’ to what our own hands have made, for in you the fatherless find compassion.”
• Psalm 68:5 A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. 6 God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.
• Luke 4:18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”
• Matthew 25:42-45 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
• James 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. 

• Global Mission: We will be active in our support of reaching the nations for Christ. We will support mission to the world – in partnership with BMS and other recognised organisations, taking advantage of their skills and expertise and our enthusiasm and resources.  (Galatians 6:2, Psalm 96:1-3, Galatians 6:9, 1 Peter 4:10)

• Galatians 6:2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
• Psalm 96:1 Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. 2 Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. 3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvellous deeds among all peoples.
• Galatians 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
• 1 Peter 4:10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 
   

Commitment together

To fulfil this vision, we recognise that each of us needs to commit our time, our prayers, and our resources and to be willing to be led by the Spirit. As members of the church, we challenge one another to search our own hearts and discern what God wants us to do for Him. We seek to move forward together, serving with unity and purpose.