Our Values -
We are more than meets the eye –
'This is what the Lord says: ‘Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls…'
(Jeremiah 6:16 - Holy Bible, New International Version)
As you see our building, you will no doubt think of tradition, and all that represents. Our building is a symbol of our past – we have been the spiritual heart of Blackpool for nearly 200 years and are part of the Church of England, and the worldwide Christian Church. That heritage is important to help us understand who we are.
Appearances, though, can be deceptive! When you look at the church from the outside it doesn’t represent what is going on inside.
As you step through the door, we will aim to be welcoming, and put you at ease, no matter where you are on your journey with Jesus. You will find a warm, modern, comfortable worship space and surrounding rooms.
As you experience our Sunday worship, you will find many modern and informal aspects of our services. St John’s is a place where people of all ages and backgrounds worship together in a way that communicates our timeless faith into our modern age. We have active programmes for children, young people, and older folks.
We are a living church –
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
(John 10:10 - Holy Bible, New International Version)
Jesus Christ came as God’s Son to restore our broken relationship with God the Father. In the forgiveness of sins we see in the cross, and the hope of eternal life we see in the empty tomb, we can have a new beginning to our lives that changes our understanding of who we are. Jesus described that as ‘life in fullness’.
St John’s is a living church, where our members have a real and living relationship with a real and living God. You will find at St John’s passion and energy in the leadership. You will also find in our members people who are filled with joy, hope, peace, and love.
There is unity, support, and friendship amongst us. Criticism and gossip have no place here. You will find a family that encourages you to grow in faith, and a place where that faith can bring you healing and wholeness. As a church, we actively engage in sharing this living faith with those who don’t yet know it for themselves.
We value worship where we encounter God, not just talk about Him like He’s not there. That worship is often dynamic and creative. We place a high value on prayer and on the Bible as God’s written word to us.
We take time to think about how we can apply God’s word to our lives, and what it means for us. We take time to explore the bible in our teaching programmes and in our midweek Discovery Groups.
We are an active church –
“Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
(Matthew 5:15-17 - Holy Bible, New International Version)
At St John’s we teach that our ‘Salvation’ (our promise of a place in Heaven) is given to us freely when we respond to Jesus’ victory over sin and death. There is nothing we can do to earn that or add to that.
We also believe, though, that by loving and serving others, we can show the light of Jesus Christ in a dark and hurting world. Our loving and serving points others to God.
We also have a strong commitment to being a place where every member is involved in the life of the church. As a committed family who share the load, we support and encourage each other. We encourage generosity of time, money and talents.
People at St John’s are ‘hands on’ and willing to try new things. There are members of our church engaged in all kinds of ways within the local community, working in Jesus’ name to bring hope and transformation.
We build strong partnerships with other organisations to allow our building to be a hub of Christian activity that impacts our community.
We commit to giving financially to support local and international organisations working in some of the toughest situations around today.
In the coming years we seek to be engaged more fully as a church in bringing that transformation to Blackpool.