Who we are | Granville Chapel Vision & Values 2023

WHO WE ARE

About Us

WhoweareatGranvilleChapelis definedbythreecoreelementsthat harmonizewitheachothertomakeup the'AboutUs"package:

Thethreeelementsstartwithourgeneral historicChristianbeliefs(Statementof Faith)andcanbedistilleddowntothe VisionofwhotobeandtotheValuesthat furtherdefinetheculturaldistinctivesof GranvilleCulture.Thesetheninformthe biggerpicturegoalsandoperationalplans ofthechurch

'ABOUTUS'@GRANVILLE BOARDENDS(STRATEGICGOALS)

FROM GENERAL BELIEFS TO GRANVILLE DISTINCTIVES

STATEMENT OF

Faith

As a ‘non-denominational’ church, our statement of faith does not include specific denominational elements. We seek unity around the core beliefs of historic Christian faith.

GOD (Our Trinitarian Theology)

We believe in one true God, Creator of all things, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit

Genesis1:1-2

InthebeginningGodcreatedtheheavensandtheearth.Nowtheearthwasformlessandempty, darknesswasoverthesurfaceofthedeep,andtheSpiritofGodwashoveringoverthewaters.

Deuteronomy6:4

Hear,OIsrael:TheLORDourGod,theLORDisone

Isaiah44:6

ThisiswhattheLORDsays-Israel’sKingandRedeemer,theLORDAlmighty:"IamthefirstandIam thelast;apartfrommethereisnoGod

John1:1-3

1InthebeginningwastheWord,andtheWordwaswithGod,andtheWordwasGod.Hewaswith Godinthebeginning.Throughhimallthingsweremade;withouthimnothingwasmadethathas beenmade.

Acts5:3-4

ThenPetersaid,Ananias,howisitthatSatanhassofilledyourheartthatyouhaveliedtotheHoly Spiritandhavekeptforyourselfsomeofthemoneyyoureceivedfortheland?

JESUS CHRIST (Our Christology)

We believe in Jesus Christ, fully human and fully divine, conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life and voluntarily atoned for our sins by dying on the cross as our substitute. He was bodily resurrected and ascended into heaven where, at His Father's right hand, He is our High Priest and Mediator

Matthew1:23

Thevirginwillconceiveandgivebirthtoason,andtheywillcallhimImmanuel[a](whichmeans “Godwithus”).

Luke24:39

Lookatmyhandsandmyfeet ItisImyself!Touchmeandsee;aghostdoesnothavefleshand bones,asyouseeIhave

John1:1,14

1InthebeginningwastheWord,andtheWordwaswithGod,andtheWordwasGod.

Acts4:12

Salvationisfoundinnooneelse,forthereisnoothernameunderheavengiventomankindby whichwemustbesaved.

Romans3:22-25

Thisrighteousnessisgiventhroughfaithin[a]JesusChristtoallwhobelieve Thereisno differencebetweenJewandGentile,forallhavesinnedandfallshortofthegloryofGod,andall arejustifiedfreelybyhisgracethroughtheredemptionthatcamebyChristJesus God presentedChristasasacrificeofatonement,[b]throughthesheddingofhisblood tobe receivedbyfaith Hedidthistodemonstratehisrighteousness,becauseinhisforbearancehe hadleftthesinscommittedbeforehandunpunished.

Romans8:34

Whothenistheonewhocondemns?Noone.ChristJesuswhodied morethanthat,whowas raisedtolife isattherighthandofGodandisalsointercedingforus.

1Corinthians15:4

Thathewasburied,thathewasraisedonthethirddayaccordingtotheScriptures Godmadehimwhohadnosintobesin[a]forus,sothatinhimwemightbecomethe righteousnessofGod.

2Corinthians5:21

1Timothy2:5

ForthereisoneGodandonemediatorbetweenGodandmankind,themanChristJesus.

Hebrews8:1

Nowthemainpointofwhatwearesayingisthis:Wedohavesuchahighpriest,whosatdown attherighthandofthethroneoftheMajestyinheaven

HOLY SPIRIT (Our Pneumatology)

We believe in the Holy Spirit who indwells each believer, guiding, transforming, equipping, and empowering us for godly living and service.

Jesusanswered,"VerytrulyItellyou,noonecanenterthekingdomofGodunlesstheyareborn ofwaterandtheSpirit"

John3:5 Ephesians1:13-14

AndyoualsowereincludedinChristwhenyouheardthemessageoftruth,thegospelofyour salvation.Whenyoubelieved,youweremarkedinhimwithaseal,thepromisedHolySpirit,14 whoisadepositguaranteeingourinheritanceuntiltheredemptionofthosewhoareGod’s possession tothepraiseofhisglory

Titus3:5

Hesavedus,notbecauseofrighteousthingswehaddone,butbecauseofhismercy Hesaved usthroughthewashingofrebirthandrenewalbytheHolySpirit

SCRIPTURE (Our Bibliology)

We believe in the Holy Scriptures as originally given by God, divinely inspired, infallible, entirely trustworthy, timeless, and the supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct.

2Timothy3:16

AllScriptureisGod-breathedandisusefulforteaching,rebuking,correctingandtrainingin righteousness

2Peter1:20-21

Aboveall,youmustunderstandthatnoprophecyofScripturecameaboutbytheprophet’sown interpretationofthings Forprophecyneverhaditsorigininthehumanwill,butprophets,though human,spokefromGodastheywerecarriedalongbytheHolySpirit

SIN (Our Hamartiology)

We believe in the universal sinfulness and guilt of human nature, bringing everyone under God's divine judgment. Only through regeneration by the Holy Spirit can salvation and spiritual life be obtained.

Job15:14-16

Whataremortals,thattheycouldbepure,orthosebornofwoman,thattheycouldberighteous? IfGodplacesnotrustinhisholyones,ifeventheheavensarenotpureinhiseyes,howmuchless mortals,whoarevileandcorrupt,whodrinkupevillikewater!"

Psalms53:3

Everyonehasturnedaway,allhavebecomecorrupt;thereisnoonewhodoesgood,noteven one.

Romans3:23

ForallhavesinnedandfallshortofthegloryofGod

Romans5:12

Therefore,justassinenteredtheworldthroughoneman,anddeaththroughsin,andinthisway deathcametoallpeople,becauseallsinned.

SALVATION (Our Soteriology)

We believe that the shed blood of Jesus Christ and His resurrection provide the only ground for redemption and salvation for all who repent and put their faith in Jesus Christ alone as Lord and Saviour.

John3:16

ForGodsolovedtheworldthathegavehisoneandonlySon,thatwhoeverbelievesinhimshall notperishbuthaveeternallife

Ephesians2:8-9

Foritisbygraceyouhavebeensaved,throughfaith andthisisnotfromyourselves,itisthegift ofGod,notbyworks,sothatnoonecanboast

1Timothy2:5-6

ForthereisoneGodandonemediatorbetweenGodandmankind,themanChristJesus,who gavehimselfasaransomforallpeople.Thishasnowbeenwitnessedtoatthepropertime.

CHURCH (Our Ecclesiology)

We believe the true Church is composed of all who, through saving faith in Jesus Christ, are universally united together, the Body of Christ of which He is the Head. The Holy Spirit imparts gifts to every believer to exercise as servants and priests in the Church and in the world.

Ephesians4:11-13

SoChristhimselfgavetheapostles,theprophets,theevangelists,thepastorsandteachers,to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 1until we all reachunityinthefaithandintheknowledgeoftheSonofGodandbecomemature,attaining tothewholemeasureofthefullnessofChrist

1Corinthians12:4-7

Therearedifferentkindsofgifts,butthesameSpiritdistributesthem.Therearedifferentkindsof service,butthesameLord.Therearedifferentkindsofworking,butinallofthemandineveryone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the commongood.

1Peter2:9:

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that youmaydeclarethepraisesofhimwhocalledyououtofdarknessintohiswonderfullight

RESURRECTION (Our Eschatology)

We believe that Jesus Christ will come again personally, visibly, and bodily to consummate history and the eternal plan of God - the resurrection of the believer to everlasting blessing and joy with the Lord, and of the unbeliever to the judgment of God.

3John14:3

AndifIgoandprepareaplaceforyou,Iwillcomebackandtakeyoutobewithmethatyoualso maybewhereIam.

Acts1:11

“MenofGalilee,”theysaid,whydoyoustandherelookingintothesky?ThissameJesus,whohas beentakenfromyouintoheaven,willcomebackinthesamewayyouhaveseenhimgointo heaven

1Corinthians15:42-44

Sowillitbewiththeresurrectionofthedead.Thebodythatissownisperishable,itisraised imperishable;43itissownindishonor,itisraisedinglory;itissowninweakness,itisraisedin power; itissownanaturalbody,itisraisedaspiritualbody.Ifthereisanaturalbody,thereis alsoaspiritualbody

Hebrews9:28

soChristwassacrificedoncetotakeawaythesinsofmany;andhewillappearasecondtime, nottobearsin,buttobringsalvationtothosewhoarewaitingforhim

Revelation20:11-15

ThenIsawagreatwhitethroneandhimwhowasseatedonit.Theearthandtheheavensfled fromhispresence,andtherewasnoplaceforthem.AndIsawthedead,greatandsmall, standingbeforethethrone,andbookswereopened.Anotherbookwasopened,whichisthe bookoflife Thedeadwerejudgedaccordingtowhattheyhaddoneasrecordedinthebooks Theseagaveupthedeadthatwereinit,anddeathandHadesgaveupthedeadthatwerein them,andeachpersonwasjudgedaccordingtowhattheyhaddone ThendeathandHades werethrownintothelakeoffire Thelakeoffireistheseconddeath Anyonewhosenamewas notfoundwritteninthebookoflifewasthrownintothelakeoffire

Revelation22:12-13:

Look,Iamcomingsoon!Myrewardiswithme,andIwillgivetoeachpersonaccordingtowhat theyhavedone.IamtheAlphaandtheOmega,theFirstandtheLast,theBeginningandtheEnd.

‘A COMMUNITY REFLECTING JESUS’

The vision is our ongoing picture of a preferred future (embracing the Scriptural concept of encompassing both the ‘now’ and the ‘not yet’).

KEY WORDS & CONCEPTS

‘COMMUNITY’:

A group of interacting individuals connected together. We are part of a greater whole. The Church universal and local.

Ephesians4:4-6

ThereisonebodyandoneSpirit,justasyouwerecalledtoonehopewhenyouwerecalled;5one Lord,onefaith,onebaptism;oneGodandFatherofall,whoisoverallandthroughallandinall.

Hebrews10:24-25

Andletusconsiderhowwemayspuroneanotherontowardloveandgooddeeds,notgivingup meetingtogether,assomeareinthehabitofdoing,butencouragingoneanother andallthemore as you seetheDayapproaching

1Corinthians12:25-27

sothatthereshouldbenodivisioninthebody,butthatitspartsshouldhaveequalconcernforeach other Ifonepartsuffers,everypartsufferswithit;ifonepartishonoured,everypartrejoiceswithit Nowyou arethebodyofChrist,andeachoneofyouisapartofit.

‘REFLECTING JESUS’:

Peopleliving‘incarnationally’byembodyingJesustoothers.Byemulating ChristinrelationshiptotheFather,toothers,toself,andtocreation.Also,to livea‘cruciform’life,shapedbyJesus’teachings,lovingpowerandsacrifice.

Colossians1:15-16:

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all thingshavebeencreatedthroughhimandforhim

2Corinthians3:18

Andweall,whowithunveiledfacesreflecttheLord’sglory,arebeingtransformedintohisimagewitheverincreasingglory,whichcomesfromtheLord,whoistheSpirit.

Ephesians4:24

...andtoputonthenewself,createdtobelikeGodintruerighteousnessandholiness.

Ephesians5:1-2

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gavehimselfupforusasafragrantofferingandsacrificetoGod

Galatians2:20

IhavebeencrucifiedwithChristandInolongerlive,butChristlivesinme.ThelifeInowliveinthe body,IlivebyfaithintheSonofGod,wholovedmeandgavehimselfforme

Romans8:29

ForthoseGodforeknewhealsopredestinedtobeconformedtotheimageofhisSon,thathemightbethe firstbornamongmanybrothersandsisters

John8:12|Matthew5:14-16

AgainJesusspoketothem,saying,“Iamthelightoftheworld.Whoeverfollowsmewillnotwalk indarkness,butwillhavethelightoflife.”

“Youarethelightoftheworld.Atownbuiltonahillcannotbehidden Neitherdopeoplelighta lampandputitunderabowl Insteadtheyputitonitsstand,anditgiveslighttoeveryoneinthe house In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds andglorifyyourFatherinheaven

Colossians2:2-3,3:10-11

My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ,inwhomarehiddenallthetreasuresofwisdomandknowledge.

andhaveputonthenewself,whichisbeingrenewedinknowledgeintheimageofitsCreator HerethereisnoGentileorJew,circumcisedoruncircumcised,barbarian,Scythian,slaveorfree, butChristisall,andisinall

OUR CORE

Values

Our values are the virtues (moral qualities) Granville has displayed throughout its history by the empowering of the Holy Spirit and aspires to exhibittogreaterlevels.Theyarethefoundationofwhoweareandguidefor how we live, engage and serve. Our values create the shared "culture" of the community

PRAYER

We call on God through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit through prayer, both individually and corporately.

Luke18:1

ThenJesustoldhisdisciplesaparabletoshowthemthattheyshouldalwaysprayandnotgive up ..praycontinually.

IThessalonians5:17

Matthew7:11

Ifyou,then,thoughyouareevil,knowhowtogivegoodgiftstoyourchildren,howmuchmorewill yourFatherinheavengivegoodgiftstothosewhoaskhim!

James1:5-6

Ifanyofyoulackswisdom,youshouldaskGod,whogivesgenerouslytoallwithoutfindingfault, anditwillbegiventoyou 6Butwhenyouask,youmustbelieveandnotdoubt,becausetheone whodoubtsislikeawaveofthesea,blownandtossedbythewind.

PEOPLE

We embrace that all people are created in the image of God and we are a diverse community, woven together for His purposes.

Genesis1:27

SoGodcreatedmankindinhisownimage,intheimageofGodhecreatedthem;maleand femalehecreatedthem.

James3:9

WiththetonguewepraiseourLordandFather,andwithitwecursehumanbeings,whohave beenmadeinGod’slikeness

Galatians3:26-28

SoinChristJesusyouareallchildrenofGodthroughfaith,forallofyouwhowerebaptisedinto ChristhaveclothedyourselveswithChrist.ThereisneitherJewnorGentile,neitherslavenorfree, noristheremaleandfemale,foryouarealloneinChristJesus.

Colossians3:9-14

Donotlietoeachother,sinceyouhavetakenoffyouroldselfwithitspracticesandhaveputon thenewself,whichisbeingrenewedinknowledgeintheimageofitsCreator Herethereisno GentileorJew,circumcisedoruncircumcised,barbarian,Scythian,slaveorfree,butChristisall, andisinall Therefore,asGod’schosenpeople,holyanddearlyloved,clotheyourselveswith compassion,kindness,humility,gentlenessandpatience Bearwitheachotherandforgiveone anotherifanyofyouhasagrievanceagainstsomeone.ForgiveastheLordforgaveyou.14And overallthesevirtuesputonlove,whichbindsthemalltogetherinperfectunity.

Romans12:4-6,9-14

Forjustaseachofushasonebodywithmanymembers,andthesemembersdonotallhavethe samefunction,soinChristwe,thoughmany,formonebody,andeachmemberbelongstoall theothers Wehavedifferentgifts,accordingtothegracegiventoeachofus Lovemustbe sincere Hatewhatisevil;clingtowhatisgood Bedevotedtooneanotherinlove Honourone anotheraboveyourselves Neverbelackinginzeal,butkeepyourspiritualfervour,servingthe Lord Bejoyfulinhope,patientinaffliction,faithfulinprayer SharewiththeLord’speoplewhoare inneed.Practisehospitality.

Blessthosewhopersecuteyou;blessanddonotcurse.Rejoicewiththosewhorejoice;mourn withthosewhomourn.Liveinharmonywithoneanother.Donotbeproud,butbewillingto associatewithpeopleoflowposition.[c]Donotbeconceited.

GRACE

We extend welcome, kindness and care to all people, acknowledging our shared brokenness and our mutual transformation into the image of Christ.

Romans3:10,23

Thereisnoonerighteous,notevenone;forallhavesinnedandfallshortofthegloryofGod.

Colossians3:12,4:6

Therefore,asGod’schosenpeople,holyanddearlyloved,clotheyourselveswithcompassion, kindness,humility,gentlenessandpatience.Letyourconversationbealwaysfullofgrace, seasonedwithsalt,sothatyoumayknowhowtoanswereveryone

1Peter4:10

Eachofyoushouldusewhatevergiftyouhavereceivedtoserveothers,asfaithfulstewardsof God’sgraceinitsvariousforms

Ephesians4:32

Bekindandcompassionatetooneanother,forgivingeachother,justasinChristGodforgaveyou.

Romans15:5-7

MaytheGodwhogivesenduranceandencouragementgiveyouthesameattitudeofmind towardeachotherthatChristJesushad, sothatwithonemindandonevoiceyoumayglorifythe GodandFatherofourLordJesusChrist Acceptoneanother,then,justasChristacceptedyou,in ordertobringpraisetoGod

GENEROSITY

We encourage and equip each other to extend and express the love of Jesus by selflessly sharing our time, finances, God-given talents and spiritual gifts in our community and around the world.

Philippians2:3-8

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,notlookingtoyourowninterestsbuteachofyoutotheinterestsoftheothers Inyour relationshipswithoneanother,havethesamemindsetasChristJesus:who,beinginverynature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he madehimselfnothingbytakingtheverynatureofaservant,beingmadeinhumanlikeness And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death –evendeathonacross!

1Timothy6:17-19

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth,whichissouncertain,buttoputtheirhopeinGod,whorichlyprovidesuswitheverything forourenjoyment Commandthemtodogood,toberichingooddeeds,andtobegenerousand willing to share In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the comingage,sothattheymaytakeholdofthelifethatistrulylife

Acts20:35

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, rememberingthewordstheLordJesushimselfsaid:“Itismoreblessedtogivethantoreceive.

1John3:17-18

Ifanyonehasmaterialpossessionsandseesabrotherorsisterinneedbuthasnopityonthem, howcantheloveofGodbeinthatperson?18Dearchildren,letusnotlovewithwordsorspeech butwithactionsandintruth

ENGAGEMENT

We intentionally participate with God’s reconciliation of all things, being attentive to the people and places to join His work.

Colossians1:19-20

ForGodwaspleasedtohaveallhisfullnessdwellinhim,andthroughhimtoreconciletohimself allthings,whetherthingsonearthorthingsinheaven,bymakingpeacethroughhisblood,shed onthecross.

Ephesians2:10

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advancefor ustodo

Philippians2:13

ForitisGodwhoworksinyoutowillandtoactinordertofulfillhisgoodpurpose.

Luke10:30,36-37

InreplyJesussaid:‘AmanwasgoingdownfromJerusalemtoJericho,whenhewasattackedby robbers

They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half-dead' - “Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expertinthelawreplied,Theonewhohadmercyonhim Jesustoldhim,“Goanddolikewise”

1Peter3:15

ButinyourheartsrevereChristasLord.Alwaysbepreparedtogiveananswertoeveryonewho asksyoutogivethereasonforthehopethatyouhave.Butdothiswithgentlenessandrespect.

Mark12:31

LovetheLordyourGodwithallyourheartandwithallyoursoulandwithallyourmindandwith all your strength”[a] The second is this: “Love your neighbour as yourself” [b]There is no commandmentgreaterthanthese

Matthew28:19-20

Thereforegoandmakedisciplesofallnations,baptisingtheminthenameoftheFatherandof the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. AndsurelyIamwithyoualways,totheveryendoftheage.