Cathedral Church of the Advent Purpose Book

A N A F F I R M AT I O N O F P U R P O S E

C at h e d r a l C h u r c h of the Advent ( E p i s c o pa l )

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

G A L AT I A N S 2 : 2 0

A N A F F I R M AT I O N O F P U R P O S E

Our calling to the corner of Sixth Avenue and Twentieth Street began before time. But it was in 1872 that God did place Phillip Fitts on this corner, in a new town called Birmingham, to start our church.

The calling, the mission, the purpose was to proclaim the gospel. The calling was to proclaim the gospel and to make disciples, in this new place and beyond. With daring confidence, the journey began: a journey of discipleship, ministry development, outreach, shepherding, worship, and communication.

One hundred thirty-five years later, the calling still remains. The purpose still remains. With daring confidence in Christ alone, this is our affirmation of that purpose.

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G A L AT I A N S 2 : 2 0

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

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We are the Cathedral Church of the Advent. We are a church with a living, daring confidence in God’s grace through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

It is not in self-confidence that we live. It is in Christ-confidence. We exist to proclaim the freeing power of the gospel of Jesus Christ and to make disciples wherever God has placed us.

OUR TENETS

Worship Communication Outreach Shepherding Discipleship Ministry Development

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Worship

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A N A F F I R M AT I O N O F P U R P O S E

We will hold the gospel at the center, rooting our worship in the English Reformation, making it always accessible and hospitable.

P S A L M 1 0 0 :3 - 5

R O M A N S 1 2 :1

Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever.

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

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Communication

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A N A F F I R M AT I O N O F P U R P O S E

We will communicate in ways that effectively enhance and further the ministry and purpose of the Advent.

ROMANS 10:17

PSALM 19:14

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

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Shepherding

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A N A F F I R M AT I O N O F P U R P O S E

We will focus on the reconciling word and work of Jesus Christ as they propel us in the way we care for and live with one another.

ISAIAH 40:11

J E R E M I A H 2 3 :4

He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.

I will set shepherds over them who will care for them, and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be missing, declares the Lord.

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Outreach

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A N A F F I R M AT I O N O F P U R P O S E

We will serve the Lord Jesus Christ by engaging in His spiritual and material restoration of our city and world.

J O H N 1 3 :3 4 - 3 5

M AT T H EW 2 8 : 1 9 - 2 0

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

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.

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Discipleship

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A N A F F I R M AT I O N O F P U R P O S E

We will equip every member of the Advent for the work of discipleship by creating and nurturing a culture that responds to the grace we have received from Jesus Christ.

ROMANS 12:6

E P H E S I A N S 4 :1 1 - 1 2

Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them.

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.

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Ministry Development

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A N A F F I R M AT I O N O F P U R P O S E

We will identify, develop, and equip leaders for fulltime professional ministry at the Advent, in the Episcopal Church, and in the Anglican Communion.

ROMANS 10:14-15

AC T S 1 3 : 2 - 3

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed?

And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?

And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent?

As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

SOLI DEO GLORIA

ADVENTBIRMINGHAM.ORG