Who are you? At a purely superficial level, identity can be described by a code of DNA or a passport photo, a resume (education, employment, experience) or a headstone (Beloved wife of -, mother to -.). More deeply, identity is determined by your choices and priorities in life; it’s the relationships you’ve forged and the impact you’ve made. In spiritual terms, you are God’s image bearer, someone “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Ps 139:14); most profoundly, if you’re a Christian, you have an unchanging and eternal identity as a child of God.
That’s you, but what about us? Who are we?
St Andrew’s vision statement says, “We are a community devoted to Jesus Christ, who share his gospel, calling on people to follow him, and seek the flourishing of Hong Kong”. St Andrew’s has existed for almost 120 years. Whilst we all have our own different individual stories, we have a common identity as a church community.
we have a common identity as a church community
This Sunday begins our new ministry year. Many of our ministries have resumed after the summer break. As we look forward to the year ahead, it’s worthwhile reminding ourselves of our common identity and purpose. Over the next five weeks, we’re going to think more deeply about St Andrew’s five values. If you’ve been here for a little while you’ll know these values that are core to our common identity. Our values are to love Jesus, share the gospel, teach the Bible, build community, and to serve our city. These values inform all that we do here.
These values aren’t original. They’re based on the priorities and character of the church in the New Testament. For example, just after the birth of the church, we’re given a glimpse of its community life. “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer… They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:42-47).
A church that’s committed to Jesus is a community that’s committed to learning from the Bible, because that’s how we get to know Jesus. It’s committed to deep relationships of mutual care and accountability, because that’s the context for spiritual growth. It’s committed to proclaiming the love of Jesus in word and in deed, because that’s how Jesus grows his kingdom.
As we begin this new season, we invite all those who call St Andrew’s their spiritual home in Hong Kong to prayerfully commit themselves to these five values. We’d love you to be intimately connected to us, as we serve Jesus together.
