The gospel is the good news that God is present, both through the life of Jesus and within the worshipping Christian community
The gospel message has the power to change the way people live their lives and hence is able to change society
We express this by building a community of people who care about and for each other, and who affirm and celebrate the diversity within it
We have an ecumenical outlook.
As a uniting congregation, we have roots in the Congregational Union of New Zealand, Associated Churches of Christ in New Zealand and the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand
Today, we find these denominational lines have become blurred
We emphasise the importance of putting the Gospel into today's language and context by:
Believing it is important that the church should have many faces: theological, pastoral and social
Aspiring to being an outward looking, open community, presenting a credible way of being Christian
Working with other Christian communities in the Karori Valley to meet the diversity of needs
We facilitate the faith journey of the members of the St Anselm's community. For this to happen, the quality of ministry is very important. We look for:
Ministry of the Word and Sacraments that takes seriously the informed and exploratory use of the Bible to help us understand its meaning for us in the modern world
A celebration of Communion that aims at returning us to an experience of God's presence
Quality pastoral care where the community supports each other in critical human situations, and celebrates with them the milestones of their journey
We believe in the ministry of the whole people of God.
We believe the future of our church lies in fostering a strong community identity, and in giving the people who belong "hands on" responsibility for their life together and their own destiny.