Guiding Principles

The Church at Carrs Lane – united in Jesus – serving the city

Huge cross outside Carrs Lane Church

Together, we seek to embody what it means to proclaim God Incarnate at the heart of Birmingham as:

  • we aim to be the Body of Christ, by means of the common life of our diverse congregations and through our location as a strategic centre for Christian mission and service
  • we seek to demonstrate living ‘koinonia’ (communion / community / communication / contribution) as a true model of Church and City; we believe in Church that is based around relationships and we commit ourselves to the nurturing of intentional Christian Community at Carrs Lane
Therefore:
  • we endeavour to offer relevant and accessible Christian worship which gives voice to the hopes and yearnings of the people of the city
  • we strive relentlessly for justice, peace and care for all of God’s Creation, but with a specific focus on the concerns of the city centre; we have a responsibility to respond to the rhythms and needs of the city
  • we acknowledge the responsibilities of our prophetic role, and aim to be active in challenging, comforting and resourcing the wider city, not least through offering space for people to engage in urban theological reflection
  • we commit ourselves to releasing and resourcing new opportunities for creative ministries, including the development and sustenance of chaplaincies in the city centre
  • we will continue the ministry of hospitality in its many forms

The home of a partnership of Christian ministries
supported by the Methodist and United Reformed Churches

Download the Guiding Principles in PDF format