About
Vision Statement
St. Thomas Church is a church planting movement in ancient tradition: “Ancient Worship For Today.” St. Thomas operates as an indigenous mission-sending entity to unreached peoples raising up disciples in a local context as Good News bearers.
Mission Statement
We exist to know and worship the Triune God, living a life of fruitfulness in the furtherance of the Good News to unreached peoples.
Core Values
The ethos of St. Thomas Church has unique elements towards the contextualization of unreached peoples in Canada.
- Knowing God – Having an intimate relationship with God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ is the greatest achievement we can have in life. Knowing Him is eternal life and satisfies all our inward desires giving us rest.
- Worshipping Jesus – The fascination of heaven is Jesus. He is worshipped in unending unison of the angels and saints. Our worship should be towards Him and His Person. As we worship on earth we join the heavenly worship around the throne of God.
- Early Church Pattern – There are many discipleship and Church patterns utilized amongst many denominations in our day. There is a movement back to implementing some of the earliest Church discipleship methods (Liturgy, Creedal Statements, Headcoverings, Catechesis, etc)
- Good News Bearers – The Good News of Jesus is too good not to share. We should experience such joy from knowing Him that we are compelled to share Him with lost humanity. We desire to see all disciples in this movement be proclaimers of this Good News message.
Statement of Faith
The St. Thomas Church embraces the basic doctrines affirmed by the wider Christian Church through the ages. Our theological statements are in general agreement with “mainline” Protestant churches. Two of the most widely accepted Christian doctrinal statements, the Apostles’ and the Nicene creeds, are included in our liturgies.
We have two sacraments – Baptism and Holy Communion. With the whole of Christendom we share faith in the Triune God who has once and for all revealed himself and redeemed humanity in his Son.
The Triune God as revealed in the Holy Scripture of the Old and New Testaments is the only source of our life and salvation; and this Scripture is the sole standard of the doctrine and faith of the St. Thomas Church and therefore shapes our life.
The St. Thomas Church recognizes in the creeds of the Church the thankful acclaim of the Body of Christ. These creeds aid the Church in formulating a Scriptural confession, in marking the boundary of heresies, and in exhorting believers to an obedient and fearless testimony in every age.
We believe in and confess the Headship of Jesus Christ, the Son of God over the Church. He died that He might unite the scattered children of God. As the living Lord and Shepherd, He is leading His flock.
COMMON QUESTIONS
What Does St. Thomas Church Believe?
St. Thomas Church affirms the core Biblical truths embraced by Christians worldwide for centuries. Our beliefs align with historic Protestant theology, and we include the Apostles’ Creed and Nicene Creed in our worship services.
How Can I Get Involved with St. Thomas Church?
You can join the vibrant movement of faith at St. Thomas Church, wherever you are! God is stirring hearts to embrace ancient liturgies and worship of the Triune God.
Here’s how to get involved:
- Connect Locally: If there’s a St. Thomas Church nearby, attend services or events to engage with the community.
- Start a Mission Parish: Feel called to lead? Launch a mission in your home or area to share the Gospel through historic worship.
- Affiliate Your Group: If you’re part of an existing gathering, explore affiliating with St. Thomas Church’s mission.
- Pursue Ordination: Interested in leadership? Inquire about the ordination path to serve in a deeper capacity. To take the next step, fill out our connect card form (#) or contact us directly (#) with any questions.
We’re excited to partner with you in this move of God!
What Makes St. Thomas Church Unique?
St. Thomas Church stands out among modern churches through its distinctive practices, blending ancient traditions with vibrant faith.
Here are some key distinctives:
- Facing the Altar: All worship is directed toward God, not people, focusing our hearts on the Lord.
- Head Coverings for Women: Sisters wear veils during worship, symbolizing the presence of holy angels among us.
- House Churches: Many of our liturgical gatherings take place in homes, fostering intimate, community-driven worship.
- Role of Women: Following ancient practices, women do not lead services, emphasizing distinct roles in worship.
- Ancient and Modern Worship: We blend timeless liturgical elements with select modern worship practices for a rich experience.
- Multiplying Churches: Like the early church in Acts, we aim to rapidly plant and grow liturgical communities. These practices reflect our commitment to worship rooted in Scripture and tradition, while actively spreading the Gospel.
What Is St. Thomas Church’s View on Current Social Issues in Western Culture?
St. Thomas Church views contemporary social challenges through the lens of Holy Scripture and ancient Christian tradition. Like the early New Testament Church, we confront cultural practices that stray from God’s design.
Specifically:
- We firmly reject homosexual practices, as Scripture clearly instructs (e.g., 1 Corinthians 5:11).
- We do not endorse modern ideologies such as feminism or other cultural agendas that conflict with Biblical teaching.
Our foundation is Holy Scripture, which guides our beliefs and practices. We uphold a Biblical culture rooted in the timeless traditions of the Church, prioritizing God’s order over prevailing cultural trends.
Is St. Thomas Church Evangelical, Charismatic, or Catholic?
St. Thomas Church draws from the richness of ancient Christian tradition, making it catholic in the universal sense, but distinct from Roman Catholic or Orthodox churches.
We are:
- Evangelical: Passionately evangelistic, we proclaim the Gospel boldly to a post-Christian world.
- Charismatic: We believe in the active, vital work of the Holy Spirit in the life of believers and the Church.
- Catholic: Rooted in the ancient Church’s traditions, we uphold a universal faith, though not aligned with Roman Catholicism or Orthodoxy.
In essence, we blend these elements to faithfully follow Scripture and historic practices while engaging today’s culture.
