About Us
St. Paul is a place where the traditional, contemporary, sacremental and spirit-filled converge. Our mission is TO KNOW CHRIST AND TO MAKE CHRIST KNOWN. This is based on Ephesians 4 where Paul the Apostle (our namesake) directs the church to "…equip the saints to build up the body." Paul received his direction from the Lord Jesus and passed it on to the Church. Jesus clearly said in Matthew 28 that the purpose for the Church is the Great Commission. This is and always will be our primary focus.
Connected to this is St. Paul Westport's understanding that we are a HOUSE OF HEALING. We have learned that Jesus came up out of the Jordan River and went around doing good and healing people. (Acts 10: 37-38). A third of His ministry was involved in healing people of their physical, emotional, social and spiritual illnesses. As the Body of Christ, we are a direct extension of this healing ministry. Every person that comes into St. Paul Westport is suffering from some form of brokenness and it is our intent to bring the Balm of Gilead to him or her in the name of Jesus Christ.
To support our Mission and Vision, St. Paul is a church that is firmly committed to the following principles:
Biblical Preaching -The proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as based on God's Word (Romans 1: 16-17) is the standard that guides all sermons at St. Paul. It is God's Word to our ears.
Apostolic Teaching -The early church studied the teachings of the apostles to develop a sense of what God would have them do in relationship to their Christian Walk. St. Paul studies the Scriptures to learn about God's will and call to obedience.
Liturgical Worship -Worship is always directed toward God for praise, adoration and exaltation. Our goal is worship the Triune God. We focus on singing, prayers, scripture reading, sermons, offerings and the celebration of the sacraments (baptism and communion). We do this is the context of a church year which celebrates Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, Ascension and Pentecost.
Charismatic Gifts -We -distinguish between the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5) that every Christian will produce; the God given talents (Matthew 25) that are to be consecrated and given back to God for His glory and praise; and the Gifts of the Spirit (I Corinthians 14) that God gives as He wilts for the edification of the Body of Christ.
New Testament Age -St. Paul is sitting on a historical line between the Ascension of Jesus Christ and His return to judge the world. We are part of a long line of committed believers who give witness to the Gospel (Jesus Christ Crucified and Risen) by the power of the Holy Spirit. Our part in the process is small in comparison to the long line of saints that have come before us and of those that will come after us, but in the context of the here and now, we are an important part of the Kingdom's work
today!
The Holy Spirit has anointed St. Paul Westport to do the will of God. It is a community of New Testament Believers who are faithfully and diligently committed to the Mission and Vision of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is our intent to honor Him with our obedient lives surrendered to His authority. When the Apostle Paul, while traveling to Damascus, was confronted by the Lord Jesus, he asked two questions: 1) Who are you? 2) What do you want me to do? It is essential that every person ask these two questions. If you have asked the first question and believe in Jesus Christ as Lord, then it is essential that you ask the second question. If you are unsure about what He wants you to do, then your must prayerfully go before the Lord and seek His direction for your life. He will show you what He wants you to do. This is His promise to you.
Now that you understand St Paul Westport's commitment, mission and vision as it moves under the Headship of Jesus Christ, then I encourage you to step up and become a vital member of the Body of Christ as we exalt and honor the King with our faith, hope and love. St. Paul is a wonderful Body of believers. I could not imagine being anywhere else. What the Lord has done and is doing is magnificent.
What He has in store for us is yet to be revealed, but I would not miss it for anything! How about you?
