Our Values

Shirley Baptist Church is a unique expression of what God is doing in and through the lives of those who would call the church their spiritual home.

Read more about Who We Are.

We seek to honour Jesus Christ as our head by upholding the following Core Values at Shirley Baptist Church:

Our Offering is Worship

“God is spirit, and His worshippers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
John 4:24

  • We seek to offer wholehearted and Spirit filled worship to the Lord.

  • We encourage people to participate and use their gifts in worship.

  • We see worship as a God centred lifestyle choice and not a weekly activity.

  • We aim to make prayer a priority in all we seek to be and do as a church and pray with expectation.

Our Position Is Rooted in God’s Word

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:16

  • We believe that God’s trustworthy word is the chief means of creating and developing all spiritual life.

  • We thrive on solid, consistent, inspirational and doctrinally true biblical and Spirit led preaching and teaching which focuses on practical application and life action.

  • We long to see individuals and the church be transformed as together we encounter God through His Word.

  • We aspire to see people living their everyday lives in a way which is consistent with the teaching and authority of God’s word.

Our Calling Is To Transformational Living

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship. 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.”
Romans 12:1-2

  • We aim to see everyone conformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ.

  • We want to see people experience the transforming work of the Holy Spirit in their life and become all that God wants them to be.

  • We encourage each other to be mature, committed followers of Jesus, following His example of love, service and holiness in our lives so that we can authentically demonstrate his love and life to others.

  • We believe in “whole-life discipleship” because our Christian faith should impact every aspect of our everyday lives, work, leisure, home and education.

Our Spiritual Home Is In Community

“A new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13:34-35

  • We believe we are a community joined together through the common faith we share in Jesus Christ.

  • We affirm that God has called us to be a loving, united and welcoming community, which values everyone regardless of age, race, status or background.

  • We seek to care for those in need; helping people find salvation, healing, forgiveness, love and practical help.

  • We aim in our relationships to teach, model, and encourage openness, accountability and authenticity.

Our Focus Is Outward Looking

“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.”
Matthew 28:19-20 

  • We have a compassionate heart and are committed to sharing the love of Jesus with the people of Shirley and the surrounding area, our families, friends, neighbours, work and school colleagues.

  • We support and encourage each other to be ‘salt and light’ in the communities and places God has put us in or sent us to, without compromising our core principles, beliefs and standards.

  • We desire to see more people moving from the fringe (and beyond) to the centre of church life – changing them from contacts and attenders to disciples.

  • We actively support the mission of the Church in the Shirley community, our city and the wider World.

Our Service Is Generous

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace.”
1 Peter 4:10 

  • We believe every believer is called to serve God in a way that is appropriate to their spiritual gifts and practical abilities.

  • We believe that in order to lead you must first be ready to serve.

  • We choose to be generous with our time, gifts and resources and use them in ways that most honour God, bless others and build His church.