Core Values

Affinity Mission Statement

We will declare and demonstrate the unity of Christ’s Church for the advancement of Christ’s Kingdom in the following ways:

Gospel Partnership
We will encourage strong, meaningful relationships between Bible-centred churches in order to assist the growth of gospel ministry. We will aim to achieve this by:

• Facilitating the formation and development of regional and local church partnerships
• Fostering mutual recognition, understanding and respect across traditional divides
• Enabling the sharing of resources and best practice
• Supporting the planting and recommissioning of Bible-centred churches
• Commending appropriate training for gospel ministry
• Sponsoring church-centred conferences and activities

Public Engagement
We will apply biblical principles to public life in order to promote Christian standards of morality and social justice. We will aim to achieve this by:

• Researching and analysing current thinking and social policy in the light of Scripture
• Keeping our constituency informed of societal trends and impending legislation
• Equipping Christians to engage effectively with society
• Representing Partners’ and Associates’ concerns to government departments
• Releasing statements, and securing helpful access, to the media
• Acting, where appropriate, in co-operation with other groups and agencies

Theological Advocacy
We will engage in theological research and discussion in order to advance and deepen an understanding and acceptance of biblical Christianity. We will aim to achieve this by:

• Monitoring theological trends
• Communicating within and beyond our own constituency
• Sponsoring the production of appropriate literature
• Organising and participating in conferences
• Resourcing ministers’ fraternals
• Clarifying and promoting the true basis of inter-church unity

International Relations
We will express fellowship with like-minded churches and evangelical agencies worldwide in order to demonstrate that biblical church unity knows no national boundaries. We will aim to achieve this by:

• Stimulating a global outlook and concern amongst Affinity churches
• Highlighting the various international links of Partners and Associates
• Exchanging biblical and theological insights on a global basis
• Encouraging mission agencies within Affinity to work closely together
• Ensuring Affinity is represented at relevant conferences and consultations worldwide
• Inviting suitable, international Christians to attend and address Affinity-sponsored events

Doctrinal Basis

Affinity affirms and proclaims the foundational truths of the
historic, orthodox faith as revealed in holy scripture. We believe in:

  1. The inspiration, inerrancy and infallibility of God’s word, the Bible, as originally given. The
    holy scripture is both vital and clear, and all Christians must submit to its supreme
    authority and sufficiency, both individually and corporately, in every matter of belief and
    conduct.
  2. The existence of one eternal and immutable God, the Holy Trinity, Creator and Lord of the
    universe who, in the unity of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit – three Persons who
    are the same in substance, and equal in power and glory – governs all things according to
    his will, and is accomplishing his purposes in the world and in the church.
  3. The inherent value of all human beings, made by God in his own image, and their
    sinfulness and guilt since the fall of Adam. This has rendered them subject to God’s wrath
    and condemnation, and has resulted in their alienation from him, from one another and
    from his creation.
  4. The essential, absolute and eternal deity of the Lord Jesus Christ; his conception by Mary
    of the Holy Spirit; his virgin birth; his real but sinless humanity; his voluntary humiliation
    and obedience, culminating in his death as a sacrifice for sin; his bodily resurrection from
    the dead on the third day; his ascension into heaven; his continuing ministry as Prophet,
    Priest and King; and his coming again in power and glory.
  5. Salvation from the guilt, penalty and all consequences of sin solely through the work of
    Jesus Christ – his perfect obedience, penal substitutionary death, bodily resurrection and
    exaltation as Lord. He alone is truly God and truly man, and therefore the only mediator
    between God and humanity, uniquely able to save completely those who come to God
    through him. There is salvation through no other person, creed, process or power.
  6. The justification of sinners entirely through the imputation of Christ’s righteousness to them
    and of the guilt and penalty of their sin to him. It is appropriated by grace alone through
    faith alone in Christ alone.
  7. The necessity and sufficiency of the work of the Holy Spirit for the individual’s new birth to
    repentance and faith, union with Christ and growth to maturity, and for the church’s
    continuous renewal in truth, unity, wisdom, faith, holiness, love, power and mission.
  8. The universal church, the body of which Christ is the head, to which all who are saved
    belong. Its existence reveals God’s ultimate purpose to bring everything together under
    Christ. It is made visible both in local congregations and in the wider communion of those
    who profess the true faith. It comprises a people called to declare the praise of the God
    who saved them, to contend for the faith once delivered to the saints, and to proclaim the
    gracious offer of salvation to those who are lost.
  9. The unity of the body of Christ, as expressed within and between local churches by mutual
    love, care, encouragement and corporate action. True fellowship between churches exists
    only where they are faithful to the apostolic gospel.
  10. The personal and visible return in glory of the Lord Jesus Christ, in order to raise the dead
    and bring salvation and judgement to final completion. He will grant eternal life to those
    who have believed the gospel, and consign those who have not to everlasting punishment
    in hell. God will then fully establish his kingdom in new heavens and a new earth, from
    which evil and evildoers, suffering and death will be excluded, and in which he will be
    glorified forever.