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Salt & Light

we are salt & Light

Some of our more distinctive commitments that characterise our family of churches are:

Relationship

Everything in the Body of Christ is relational! This is a key understanding, biblically. We believe brother/sister relationships, pastor/disciple relationships and small group relationships are a key to leaders, local churches and the life of the Salt & Light family.

References and comments

It is thus through our relationships that we are part of the Salt & Light family, not by ‘signing a form’ or ‘joining an institution’. The family will work as well as we make it work relationally

Eph 4:16, 32; Col 2:19, 3:12-17; Phi 2:19-22

Family

God works through spiritual and natural family, to give us a place of belonging, love, fun, joy, security, friendship, vision, encouragement and care. Fatherhood and motherhood is a key to strong, healthy families!

References and comments

We recognise there is a joint mandate for men and women, within family, to rule together. We also recognise the spiritual headship of men within family. Most of our church families appoint men to be elders, but are also clear that women need to take an important place of leadership in our church families, just as in our natural families.

1Co 11:3; Eph 5:22-24; 1Ti 3:1 7; Tit 1:5-6

Leadership

Anointed servant leadership, as Jesus taught it and modelled it, is vital to build up everyone in the body of Christ, and help all to grow to full maturity and fulfil their God-given destiny. Understanding and receiving the spiritual authority of anointed leaders allows us to live under its blessing.

References and comments

In the Salt & Light family, we recognise the importance of spiritual fatherhood (as does the New Testament!) This is a vital aspect of apostolic ministry (1Co 4:14-17; Phi 2:19 24), and is a key to building family (Eph 3:15). The model for all leadership is Jesus himself (Phi 2:5-11)!

Generosity

Generous living and giving is a key to individuals and communities enjoying the blessing of God. Tithing is a starting point for giving, but generosity will take us far beyond that.

References and comments

We encourage the practice of tithing to the local church of which we are part, where we are fed and cared for spiritually. We see tithes as sustaining the ministry of church and mission, and offerings for good works, buildings etc. (Mal 3:6-12; 2Co 8-9)

Discipleship

Discipleship is a key to growing all of God’s people into maturity, so that each one can play their full part in the purposes of God’s Kingdom. We encourage strongly the fostering of relationships of discipleship, where personal pastoring and mentoring are key.

References and comments

In our view, this is essential. (Mar 1:16-20, 3:13 18; Mat 5:1

Ephesians 4 ministry

We believe that receiving apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers into local churches brings increased vision and spiritual impact, and provides good care, counsel and accountability for local church leaders. This is the key way that we experience connections and encouragement within the Salt & Light family.

References and comments

Eph 4:11-16; Eph 2:21-22, 3.5; Phi 2:19-30; 1Co 4.

Wider relationships

We encourage an atmosphere of working together with other churches in the Salt & Light family, and beyond the Salt & Light family. We believe that it is one mark of healthy churches to relate to and receive from others.

References and comments

This enables the wider Body of Christ to be built up (Eph 4:16), and allows Christ’s mission to be more fruitful (1Co 9:22-23)

Diversity

We value the diversity of our family of churches, where there are different styles of leadership and models of church. We believe this helps us to understand and enjoy the richness of the body of Christ, and we want to live in an atmosphere of respect and mutual appreciation.

References and comments

This diversity is a positive, edifying feature of the Body of Christ! 1Co 12; Eph 4:7-16