Purpose & Planning

‘Working with the Spirit at the crossroads of the city’ has represented a place to and a way to discern the purpose and mission..

Saint Stephens has been the harbour church of Bristol, it is now deep in the middle of the city centre life and work and leisure, city style living and issues. We follow a three point direction in asking about our plans and purpose:

  • Connecting with the life who people who make and shape the life of the city
  • Modeling work that reveals the values and way of faith and gospel
  • Developing community for wellbeing and commitment

We keep returning and referring to this path as we check out our aspirations. How are we connecting, modeling and developing…

We believe that we are following Jesus when we believe that the Creator God continues to be at work in the world: our work is to discern what is God’s business in the work and then to join with that. It’s all about movement for the ways of hope and life, justice and peace.

‘Have patience with me, God has not finished with me yet’

The changes we want to see in self, world and community do not come by wishful thinking. God so loved the world that he gave… his Son Jesus Christ… John 3:16

One of the great ways that this change happens is when we step into worship and find ourselves because we are in the presence of God. This is about Critical.Mass: The Mass, the eucharist, the breaking of bread is all about transformation. Not magic with bread and wine but God’s grace that moves us out of self and into Christ life with sisters and brothers.

The kingdom or reign of God is all about change, freedom to become fully human. The end of slaveries, the start of a liberated life hope and reconciling love – like the love of Jesus that even went through death.

The spirituality of work, the arts and creation are all strands that have started to form the community of change and Critical Mass.