Life Boat
Background
The Eeast End of Glasgow includes some of the most deprived areas in the UK, and is also one of the most under churched areas in Scotland. In some areas less that 1% of the population have any contact with a church of any denomination.
C.Peter Wagner states that "church planting is themost effective form of evangelisn under the sun" and yet church plants in the East End are few and far between, compared to *for example) 18 church plants in the last 10 years within a mile of Byres Road in the West End.
The Church of Scotland has parishes covering all of the East End. Despite some being vibrant churches, there are many in dramatic decline, often without a Minister. Many find it very difficult to attract a minister to lead in such difficult situations.
Vision
We are coming from a Church of Scotland context, seeking to serve within a Church of Scotland context. Our vision is to take a small team of people into a declining parish, and work alongside the remnant congregation to restore and revive their ministry, through a combination of old and new expressions of church life.
Ultimately our passion is to bring freedom and transformation to a community, leading people into a fresh revelation of Jesus Christ and a renewed relationship with Him, by ministering in word and truth and serving alongside God in His Mission.
We aim to be a missional community that works practically within the existing community, bringing life and wholeness both to individuals and groups. We want to "let Glasgow flourish by the preaching of His Word, and praising of His Name."
We be;lieve in the priesthood of all believers, where every member plays a part, and in ministering through the power of the Holy Spirit, in all the fruits and gifts that He makes available to us for the building up of His church.
Values
- It's about Jesus. It's all about Jesus, It's only about Jesus
- We feel called to work within the Church of Scotland, and to honour that denomination, but will seek to work alongside other Christians groups for the benefit of the Kingdom.
- We believe in the Trinity and seek to bring knowledge and experience of Father, Son and Spirit to all
- We believe in the power of the Gospel to save and transform live physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually
- We believe in the Bible as the Word of God
- We believe in Jesus, fully God and fully man, who was crucified in our place for our sin and rose again so that we may enter into relationsip with Him
- We believe in the power of the Spirit evidenced withing us throough His fruit and gifts
- We believe in the priesthood of all believers and seek to encourage all to participate in God's mission
