Values

Sola Union is covenantally entered into with the elders of a local church body that can align with the following five values:

UNAPOLOGETIC PREACHING

Faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. The public proclamation of God’s Word is central to Christian worship. As such, we are strongly committed to preaching which unpacks, unfolds, explains, and applies the meaning of the text of Scripture… We proclaim the authority of God’s Word and the exclusivity of Christ’s Gospel, which brings transformation, not merely information. We believe the Spirit works through the Word to reform hearts, renew minds, and reshape lives, and therefore we do this without apology.

“Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.” - 2 Timothy 4:2

UNADORNED WORSHIP

We believe that what we do in the church is to be pleasing to the Holy Spirit, and therefore, regulated by the Holy Scriptures. We are not free to worship God however we feel like worshipping Him, but only in line with how He says we ought to worship Him. We read the Word (1 Tim. 4:13), preach the Word (2 Tim. 4:2), sing the Word (Col. 3:16), pray in accordance with the Word (Matt. 21:13), and see the truths of the Word displayed in the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 11:23-26). We come to worship on God’s terms, not ours; governed by the Bible, not our preferences; doing what He wants, and aligning our desires in obedience, finding full joy in Christ.

“The hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.” - John 4:23

UNCEASING PRAYER

We believe firmly in the power of prayer, because we believe firmly in the power of the God to whom we pray. We can accomplish nothing on our own, but are completely dependent on God for everything… We acknowledge this dependence on our God by giving ourselves continually and wholeheartedly to prayer, and trusting He will direct and bless our work.

“Pray without ceasing.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:17

UNPRETENTIOUS FELLOWSHIP

We want our communities to be marked by honesty, grace, forgiveness, humility, and harmony. Our desire is to foster church environments where we don’t have to pretend to be more than we are. Yes, we challenge one another to walk in holiness, but we strive to do so knowing that we are all sinners in need of grace. We love one another in spite of our flaws, dealing gently and patiently with one another in our weaknesses… We acknowledge that we are all alike, stumbling, suffering sinners, and the ground is levelled at the foot of the cross. The righteousness we have, and victories we enjoy are ours through Christ, and we rejoice in seeing Christ in ourselves and others.

“Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” - Galatians 6:2

UNAFRAID WITNESS

The Holy Spirit gives us boldness to testify to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We proclaim, herald, profess, announce and declare that Christ lived a sinless life, died a substitutionary death, and rose again in victory over the grave. All who trust in Him will be saved. We believe the Gospel is not just good news for individuals, but also for nations! As the Gospel spreads, it reshapes cultures, reforms communities, and renews lives. With boldness and compassion, we proclaim Christ, calling people to repent and believe as we scatter near (in our neighbourhoods and communities) and far (into unreached areas of the world), telling the good news to our friends, neighbours, co-workers, family members, and anybody and everybody who will give us a hearing.

“And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’” - Matthew 28:18-20

“The first and principal duty of a pastor is to feed the flock by diligent preaching of the word. This feeding is of the essence of the office of a pastor, without which all the rest will be useless and vain. To neglect it in pursuit of other duties, however good in themselves, is to betray the trust committed to us by Christ.”

~John Owen~