Statement of Vision, Values and Belief

1. VISION

To be a network of Christian churches and organisations working together towards the salvation and transformation of Southampton and the surrounding area, with particular reference to mission, prayer and communication.

  • To be a forum for leaders of evangelical churches and organisations to relate and work together, offering opportunities for mutual support, prayer and worship.
  • To be a communication network for ideas and initiatives to be shared both for member organisations and others outside the SCN
  • To be a corporate voice to the city council, media, police and other key groups in the city.
  • To work in partnership with the wider body of Christ in Southampton, eg. CTS, in issues that affect us all.
  • To liaise with the national Evangelical Alliance

2. VALUES

We recognise that the gospel is rooted in relationships and our desire is to promote good and faithful relationships between Christian leaders, Christian churches and organisations, and the whole church community in our relationship with God.

  • In our mission to the city we will endeavour to work collaboratively where that will be more effective than working individually.
  • We will endeavour to resource one another's initiatives by sharing good practice and leading expertise.
  • We will seek God together in prayer in our desire to fulfil the great commission.
  • We will endeavour to provide a structure for fellowship of Christian leaders where required.
  • We will try to communicate effectively the challenges and opportunities that God gives us in the city.
  • We will endeavour to make a corporate response over issues that affect our mission.

3. BELIEFS

The network is evangelical in terms of a priority for mission and authority of Scripture. Whilst that is the desire and requirement for network membership, we recognise the enormous value of partnership with non-evangelical churches in some aspects of our city life.

  • We ascribe to the national Evangelical Alliance basis of faith.
  • We recognise that there will be times when churches express divergent views over secondary issues. For example: baptism, leadership, church structures, gifts of the Spirit, etc. Our desire is to be united around the Lordship of Jesus Christ, the work of his Spirit, the love of God and his saving grace.