What we believe

At Hook New Covenant Church we believe that the Church lies at the heart of God’s purposes for the world:

‘And God placed all things under his (Jesus’) feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.’

As well as being the visible expression of Christ to the world, we are called to be active in displaying His Glory through the things that we do:

‘For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.’

So our calling is not just to sit around looking good, but to go around doing good! But what exactly are these ‘good works’ that are created for us to do in advance? In Matthew 28 we read the great commission that Jesus Christ gave to his followers:

‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to 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. And surely I am with your always, to the very end of the age.’

Here we start to see some of the specifics of the purpose of the church –

• to go and make disciples (invitation),
• to baptise them (initiation),
• to teach them (instruction) and then
• to send them out to carry on this cycle of ministry (involvement).

Of course, first of all Jesus called his disciples to worship God and to love one another. We can start to build our vision and our values from His teaching to us.

Whilst a lot more could be written and said about these things (and has been and will be!), the following list summarises the things that are particularly important to us.

Values – what we are committed to

• The Word of God – our authority
• The Spirit of God – our empowering
• The Grace of God – our atmosphere
• The Family of God – our community
• Our best for God – our attitude

Vision – where we are going

• A worshipping church
• A welcoming church
• A purposeful church
• A praying church
• A caring church
• An equipping church
• A growing church
• A sending church
• A passionate church
• A healing church
• A prophetic church
• A serving church
• A giving church

Vehicle – how we are getting there

• Through embracing Christ’s gifts (Ephesians 4:11 – 13)
• By calling for Committed membership
• By recognising Called leadership
• Through the life of the gathered Congregation
• By the intimacy of Cell group life
• Through outward-looking Community involvement

A more formal statement of faith is available here.