The Parish of St. Matthew with St. Paul

A Parish Theology

Theology is the study of God but also of religious faith, practice, and experience. Here at St Paul’s and St Matthew’s a distinctive theology is emerging. We are a parish rooted in the community, offering a variety of worship to all ages, with many signs of growth.

For example, many people are on a journey of discovery individually and together. A deepening of inner life is energising a greater commitment, particularly to those in need, locally and in our world more widely. This is sharply focused in our repeated theme: Beyond Ourselves. If we live for ourselves alone, we will die to all that is most important and enduring.

Hospitality, in every sense, generous and freely given, is key to how we envisage our future. We want to be radical in demonstrating that the root of all we seek to be, and do, is found in the love of God. The God whom we worship is alive and well in every human person. God knows no boundaries; He is present everywhere and is made known in the gift of loving wherever love is seen.

Our worshipping congregations are being challenged to move from being guests to becoming hosts. This has many implications and is both demanding and exciting. We want many more people to catch this vision, to be inspired by it, and contribute to making it come about. In short: we need you. And we believe that we have something we can offer you! Fullness of life, in this life, is really possible and is supremely revealed in Jesus.

Our parish churches are known for having soft edges. At both churches, we welcome everyone and seek to make them feel at home. Asking in response open minds and hearts. People find they can come and go freely, without any judgement being made. We reject exclusivity and making distinctions between who belongs and who does not.

We know how hard it can be to have faith, but that the quest for meaning is at the heart of our humanity. We know that certainty is rarely possible and can be the enemy of faith. We sense that what we are finding developing here is both credible and urgently needed by our Western world, which has been living in an unsustainable way. We are convinced that the future needs to be different, even in this place, in our ‘safe’ environment. This can feel scary. However the conviction that God goes ahead of us, and that we can discover where God is leading us, gives shape to our hope.