Our Purpose
Why are we here?
We live in an ever-changing world, and in response, our vision and values may need to evolve – but our purpose remains the same. It summarises the reason for our very existence. It answers the question, “Why are we here?”
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When Bishop Christopher first came to the Diocese, he was impressed by the widespread understanding and acceptance of our three-fold purpose statement:
“To worship God, make new disciples and transform communities.”
Over ten years later, this foundational statement continues to summarise our shared purpose.
More recently, we have recognised a link between this purpose statement and a verse in the Bible:
“All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.”
2Corinthians 5:18
This verse has helped us to understand our shared purpose through the lens of reconciliation.
- All this is from God It all begins with God. It's all grace. This is why we worship God
- ...who reconciled us to himself through Christ. This is the good news, the Gospel, for the world.
This is why we make new disciples. - ...and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. The good news - our reconciliation with God in Christ and the healing that it brings to our fractured relationships with each other and the earth – is to be made known and made visible by the power of the Spirit. This is why we seek to transform communities.
Worship God - Make new disciples - Transform communities
This summary of our purpose hasn’t changed since 2004, and it's the foundation of our shared future.