St Peter's St Peter's Parish Halliwell Bolton St Peters St Andrews Smithills Barrow Bridge
knowing Christ and making Him known
 
Vision Update 2008 (page 1 of 2)
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What is our vision for St Peter’s Parish? Our text for 2008, John 15:8, expresses our vision to be a growing church of disciples of Jesus Christ, committed to ‘Knowing Christ and Making Him Known’. As Jesus says, we demonstrate that we are his disciples or followers by ‘bearing much fruit’.
 
Just as the point of the vine is to produce grapes, so disciples are intended to be fruitful! But what does this fruit look like in our lives or community?


 

As individuals and churches we are called to grow deeper in our relationship with Christ. It means being prepared to live as Jesus would if he were in our place. If we are to express the character of Jesus in our attitudes and lifestyle, we have to be ready to allow the Holy Spirit to have space in our lives to produce his fruit.

However, thinking about our parish we need to ask the question:
What does God want our church to look like in 5 years time?

We want to be able to welcome people into a growing diverse and dynamic Christian community where they can connect with God, one another and have opportunities to make a difference in the world. However, primarily it is about growing more disciples, so that many in the wider community can grow closer to Christ in their own lives.

 
‘I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing’ (John 15v5)
   
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