MRBC Vision
Family of nations; followers of Jesus
Traditional Baptist Churches in New Zealand have been Eurocentric in their makeup. Churches adopted British culture, making it difficult for Maori and others to find a place. Over the past 30 years, we have witnessed an explosion of Pacific Islanders, refugees, and people from around the globe settling into Aotearoa (New Zealand). Mt Roskill is known as the leading multi-ethnic suburb in Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland). Our local schools are evidence, and why should our local churches be any different?
Some churches have chosen to focus on a specific culture, be it Pacifica, African or Asian. It is particularly beneficial for first-generation immigrants but a challenge for their second and third generation. In contrast, Mt Roskill Baptist Church has chosen to gather as a family of nations. We’ve had to rethink our traditional ways of the church and cultivate an acceptance of other ethnicities and cultures. Our common language remains English, for pragmatic reasons, but we rejoice in the sound of multiple languages and cultures among us. We appreciate and celebrate this diversity, learning to converse and laugh together. Our vision is gradually taking shape, although we have much to learn and improve.
Why do churches struggle with different ethnicities and cultures? Why do Baptist churches struggle to gather Maori? Further to these questions, who sits at your table? Who do you invite for meals? Suppose you are a church leader in a multi-ethnic community, and only have people like you at your table. In that case, you will likely be a mono-cultural leader. In the gospels, Jesus receives criticism for eating with different people (Mark 2:16). Followers of Jesus is more than having good morals. Will we follow Jesus in those places where customs and rituals are foreign to us? Shared meals with various company speak louder than wise words. A vision of diverse culture and social standing is a challenge but rewarding, something gospel about it.
One of the great Baptist Traditions we hold on to is our high view of our Scriptures, our Bible. Followers of Jesus must be serious about the Bible. We don’t claim to know it all, but we continuously study and read the Bible. The Bible is the foundation of all our teaching.
John 14
23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.
Our purpose
To Love God, Love one another,
Serve others in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Love God – Worshipping weekly with prayer, praise and adoration, empowered by the Holy Spirit, reflected in our Sunday services. We are committed to forming a closer and deeper relationship with God. Loving God is also connected to our relationships with others. We teach to respect all humanity. Bitterness and unforgiveness are off the menu for all believers.
Matthew 22:37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Love One Another – We are a family in Christ, so we have a responsibility to one another to support, nurture and care for each other. We do this by committing to each other, accepting our need for each other and seeking to develop each other as disciples of Jesus. We do this primarily through our small group ministries, including life groups, ministry teams and other teams that may form.
Serve Others – Disciples of Jesus are a servant of others. We have two spheres of service; within the church and outside of the church. At times the two spheres overlap, but they are both essential to our purpose of serving Jesus Christ. Helping others is not a day job but a committed lifestyle.
Mark 9 “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”
In the power of the Holy Spirit – Progress in service and vision are more than actions and deeds alone. We depend on the Holy Spirit to lead and empower our lives to be fruitful.
Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the Earth.”
Our mission
Reach, Baptise, Disciple
Our Mission is demonstrated in the book of Acts, following the words of Jesus in Matthew 28: 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And indeed I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Reach out to others is a mixture of prayer, spoken words and deeds, performed in our workplaces to the most remote places on Earth. We are not aggressive in this approach, but nor are we passive. Our motive and message is the love of Jesus Christ.
Baptise is a command to those who choose to believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. No baptism, lack of church mission.
Disciple means to be a learner. Most people are a disciple of something, e.g. sports, cars or a profession. We become learners of Jesus Christ and put into practice what he taught. As we develop, we assist others in learning from our experience.