Our Mission, Vision, Values, & Culture
Our Mission: Our 'Why'
Reclaiming the Arts for Christ, To build, grow, nourish, and unite Gods Church, Revealing His Kingdom to the World.
Our Vision: Our 'How'
To establish, grow, and maintain healthy, world-class, industry-leading, Christian Creative Arts Companies across creative disciplines, from ballet, to media, to music and theatre - both nationally and throughout the world. Rooted in tradition, on the cutting edge, and trail blazing the Church's antiquitous legacy of innovation and creation.
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To form and foster powerful creative communities, where Christians with both talent and character are seen, brought together, and released to serve Jesus at the highest artistic levels - for their community, for their country, and supremely for the Kingdom of God.
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To see thousands of people begin, recommence, or recommit to their journey with Jesus through the impact of our concerts, shows and events, and to see them established in their chosen Church community - our focus ever remaining on the individual, not on the crowd.
Our Organisation's Values: 'HEMIOLAS'
These values hold us together across denominations, disciplines, and seasons - rooted in Scripture, informed by the early Church, and lived out in rehearsal rooms, concert halls, and community life.
Humility
The Value
Humility is the foundation of everything we do. Talent matters greatly here, but nothing matters more than humility. We value the fruit of the Spirit above virtuosic ability. We seek to ask first, "What is the Lord teaching me through this?" before forming judgments. Humility allows us to speak truth, but always in love. It keeps us curious, aware that there is often more going on than we can see. It frees us to be second, or even last, to give the limelight away, and to trust that if it is the Lord's will, our time will come. Above all, humility reminds us that we are small participants in the greatest story ever told: the Kingdom of Christ coming to earth.
The Anti-Value
Pride, entitlement, self-promotion, comparison, and ambition disconnected from Christ.
Scripture
"God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." (James 4:6)
James is writing in the mid-first century to Jewish Christians scattered across the Roman world, many of whom were navigating rivalry, social pressure, and internal conflict. His language is intentionally confrontational. He does not describe pride as a neutral flaw, but as a posture that actively places a person in opposition to God. Humility, by contrast, is portrayed as the posture that receives grace. James wants his readers to understand that spiritual vitality is not achieved through self-assertion, but through submission to God's work. In a creative and leadership-rich environment, this has profound implications. Skill, visibility, or confidence alone are insufficient if they place us at odds with grace. Humility is not weakness. It is alignment.
Early Church Father
St. Augustine (354-430 AD) wrote: "It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels."
For Augustine, humility is not optional character polish. It is the dividing line between life and collapse.
How this applies to us
We promote and entrust responsibility to those who demonstrate humility, teachability, and spiritual maturity. We expect leaders and members alike to ask what God is doing in them before critiquing others. We celebrate excellence, but never at the expense of Christlike character.
Eternity
The Value
We live and work with eternity in view. We believe Jesus Christ is the only one who saves, and that we have one life and one opportunity to serve God and invite others into His Kingdom. This eternal perspective shapes our work ethic, our priorities, and our ability to move through disagreement with grace. Temporary frustrations are held in the light of an everlasting purpose.
The Anti-Value
Short-term thinking, self-preservation, cynicism, and conflict rooted in ego rather than mission.
Scripture
"Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth," (Colossians 3:2)
Paul writes to the Colossian church from prison around AD 60. The believers were being influenced by teachings that elevated secondary practices and anxieties over the sufficiency of Christ. Paul's instruction is not a call to disengage from the world, but to reorder their loves. Earthly labour, disagreement, and responsibility are not discarded; they are reframed. Paul wants his audience to understand that eternal perspective does not make earthly work irrelevant, but meaningful. When the horizon is eternity, present conflicts lose their power to dominate.
Early Church Father
St. John Chrysostom (c. 347-407 AD) said: "Nothing so helps the soul as keeping the thought of eternity constantly before the eyes."
Eternity clarifies what matters and dissolves unnecessary conflict.
How this applies to us
We labour diligently because souls matter. We refuse to let small disagreements derail a larger calling. Our rehearsal rooms and concert halls are places of eternal significance, not merely artistic activity.
Magnificence
The Value
We believe what we do should reflect the magnificence of God. We do not apologise for beauty, scale, or excellence. Like the cathedrals of old, we use every medium available to us: music, lighting, movement, space, and visual detail to glorify God. This shapes how we dress, walk on stage, bow, transition, rehearse, and perform. Music is central, but not the only contributor to magnificence.
The Anti-Value
Mediocrity, carelessness, minimalism rooted in fear, or false humility that disguises laziness.
Scripture
"Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name; worship the Lord in holy splendour." (Psalm 29:2)
Psalm 29 emerges from Israel's worshipping life, likely composed in a liturgical context that celebrated God's power and majesty. David assumes that holiness is not drab or restrained, but radiant and awe-inspiring. Beauty in worship is not excess; it is response. The psalm teaches that God's nature invites splendour. For the people of God, beauty becomes proclamation. It testifies to who God is before a word is spoken.
Early Church Father
St. Basil the Great (c. 330-379 AD) wrote: "Nothing so lifts the soul as harmony and beauty offered to God."
Beauty directs the heart upward when rightly ordered.
How this applies to us
We care deeply about detail. We remain patient during technical rehearsals. We understand that excellence honours God and serves the audience. We think carefully about presentation because magnificence evangelises without words.
Interconnectedness
The Value
We are intentionally interdenominational. Protestants, Catholics, Orthodox believers, and others come together as one body. We are not only building ensembles, but communities. We rehearse together, perform together, eat together, and learn from one's traditions.
The Anti-Value
Sectarianism, suspicion, theological tribalism, and relational isolation.
Scripture
"There is one body and one Spirit." (Ephesians 4:4)
Paul writes to a divided and culturally diverse church in Ephesus, urging unity grounded in Christ rather than shared background or practice. His emphasis is not on erasing difference, but on recognising a deeper common life. Unity is spiritual before it is organisational. Paul wants believers to understand that difference does not threaten the Church when Christ is central.
Early Church Father
St. Irenaeus (c. 130-202 AD) wrote that the Church, though scattered across the world, "preserves one faith as if living in one house."
How this applies to us
We honour traditions not our own. We stay curious. We build friendships beyond rehearsals. Our unity is itself a witness.
Ownership
The Value
Ownership means we take responsibility. When we see a gap, we seek to fill it. We do not outsource care, initiative, or truth-telling. We nurture what we belong to.
The Anti-Value
Passivity, complaint culture, and "someone else will handle it" thinking.
Scripture
"Whatever your task, put yourselves into it, as done for the Lord and not for your masters," (Colossians 3:23)
Paul addresses believers embedded in rigid social hierarchies and reframes work itself as worship. Faithfulness is no longer measured by status, but by intention. Ownership flows not from control, but from stewardship. What we do reflects whom we serve.
Early Church Father
St. Clement of Rome (c. 96 AD) taught that each member has a role and responsibility in the body, not spectatorship.
How this applies to us
We welcome newcomers. We speak up constructively. We care for what God has entrusted to us. We use words such as 'we' rather than 'you' when speaking to leaders and referring to something about our organisation.
Listening Ear
The Value
We listen before we speak. To leaders. To one another. To the Lord. We are attentive in rehearsals, careful with words, diligent in communication, and open to feedback.
The Anti-Value
Defensiveness, distraction, impulsive speech, and inattentiveness.
Scripture
"You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger;" (James 1:19)
James addresses communities struggling with careless speech and relational breakdown. His instruction is deeply pastoral. Listening is not passivity, but restraint shaped by love. It protects unity and allows wisdom to emerge.
Early Church Father
St. Benedict (c. 530 AD) taught that obedience begins with listening, calling it "the first step of humility."
How this applies to us
We read communications. We check Heartbeat. We pray. We seek mentorship. We listen to the Spirit.
Advancement
The Value
We believe God is calling us beyond the present. Across Australia and the world. Into new cities, art forms, and expressions. We move wisely, but boldly. We serve a vision, not a personality.
The Anti-Value
Fear-driven stagnation, founder-dependence, and small thinking.
Scripture
"Enlarge the site of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes." (Isaiah 54:2)
Isaiah speaks to Israel in exile, a people tempted to retreat and preserve. God calls them instead to prepare for growth they cannot yet see. Expansion is not ego-driven ambition, but faithful obedience to God's promise.
Early Church Father
St. Gregory the Great (c. 540-604 AD) wrote that the Church must always be "growing outward as it grows inward."
How this applies to us
We develop robust local leadership. We hold vision loosely but faithfully. We think generationally.
Servanthood
The Value
Servanthood is humility in action. We serve beyond our role. Leaders serve first. There is no hierarchy to service.
The Anti-Value
Entitlement, status-seeking, and power-hoarding.
Scripture
"But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant," (Mark 10:43)
Jesus speaks these words to disciples shaped by honour-based hierarchy. He inverts their understanding of greatness entirely. Authority in the Kingdom flows downward through service.
Early Church Father
St. Ignatius of Antioch (c. 107 AD) wrote that leaders are recognised not by authority, but by love expressed in service.
How this applies to us
Conductors set chairs. Leaders clean floors. We go the extra mile. If we are too big to serve, we are too small to lead.
Our Creative Values: 'SCENES'
Our approach to creativity balances tradition with innovation, craftsmanship with inspiration, and engages all the senses to create meaningful artistic experiences.
Something Old, Something New
We stay in touch with tradition while pushing boundaries, finding balance between classical and modern approaches to create art that resonates across generations.
Craftsmanship
We value the creative process because it demands significant investment. Anything worthwhile requires such investment, through which we hone the skills to create increasingly excellent art and music.
Excellence
Excellence is not simply about perfection but about a relentless pursuit of quality and authenticity in every detail, ensuring that our work reflects both passion and precision. It is through this commitment that we aspire to inspire and uplift those who experience our art.
Nuance
We pay attention to the details that others might miss. From the smallest musical phrase to the subtlest theological nuance, we believe that careful attention to detail honours both our craft and our calling. Excellence lives in the particulars, and we refuse to overlook them.
Elevation
Our goal is to create art that lifts people's eyes towards the transcendent. Art that is pure, godly and wholesome. We believe that true creativity can point beyond itself, yes, by inviting audiences to contemplate deeper truths about life and the nature of sin; but then through our work, in partnership with the Holy Spirit, to elevate the truth of the grace of Jesus above all sin and all shame, lifting heavy and broken hearts towards their one and only saviour, Jesus Christ.
The Senses
We create with attention to the senses, considering visuals, lighting, and aesthetics to craft holistic artistic experiences that engage the whole person. We even ensure our spaces smell great as people walk in.
A Note 'Emotion Invoking' Aesthetics
In every sunrise and at every sunset, we see a glimpse of how God uses beauty: “the heavens declare the glory of God” (read Psalm 19:1). As His image-bearers (read Genesis 1), we follow that pattern.
Just as artisans once shaped stained glass windows and inventors pioneered modern lighting, we too use aesthetics to help point people toward the divine. This is not coercion or manipulation. Like as a sunset does not demand a response from us, but rather, invokes one, God has given to humanity the wonderful gift of our senses, and of creativity to move and subsequently lift peoples eyes and hearts towards Him.
Through creation - and supremely through the incarnation - He demonstrates to us how the physical world reveal to us His immanence and His transcendence. Music, lighting, bird song in the morning, spoken word, sunrises, soundscapes, dance, drama, historic spaces, and beautiful modern spaces - God can use it all for His glory, and that's what it's all about.
Our Organisation's Culture: 'ENSEMBLES'
Our organisational culture, encapsulated by the acronym "ENSEMBLES", shapes how we present ourselves and interact with others. These values define the experience people have when engaging with Australian Christian Arts, fostering a vibrant and supportive community.
Encouragement
We foster an environment where encouragement is freely given. We verbally encourage one another with the same vigour and specificity as as the times we provide insightful feedback or critique.
No 'Second Fiddle'
Every role and person is valued equally; we believe no contribution is more important than another in our collective artistic endeavour.
Sincerity
We cultivate authentic and vulnerable relationships, believing that true connection empowers deeper artistic expression.
Enthusiasm
We approach our creative processes and events with genuine enthusiasm and joy, celebrating the life-giving nature of artistic expression. The word 'enthusiasm' comes from the Greek 'entheos' - meaning 'God within' or 'possessed by God' - reminding us that true joy flows from God's presence in our work.
Mutual Honour
We practise mutual honour, recognising and respecting the unique gifts, personalities, and the image of God in every individual within our community.
Bravery
We act with bravery and courage, unafraid to take risks and be unapologetic in pursuing our mission and vision for God.
Lived Thankfulness
We actively practise gratitude, verbally expressing thankfulness for salvation, opportunities, and to our leaders and peers.
Embracing Community
We embrace new members and ideas, creating welcoming and warm environments where everyone feels valued, accepted, and supported.
Spiritual Fruit
We strive to embody the spiritual fruit of the Spirit-love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control-in all aspects of our artistic and communal life, allowing these qualities to guide our interactions and creative endeavours.
Our Statement of Faith
We affirm the Nicene Creed as formulated at the Council of Constantinople in 381 AD. This creed unites Christians across denominations and traditions as a shared statement of faith.
Note on the Filioque: Some Western Christian traditions include the phrase “and the Son” (filioque) in their confession of the Holy Spirit. In this document, we present the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed in its original 381 AD form as a point of shared confession, recognising it as a common reference received across the historic Church and suitable for our ecumenical purpose.
The Nicene Creed (381 AD)
We believe in one God,
the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.And in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
begotten from the Father before all ages,
God from God,
Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made;
of the same essence as the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven;
he became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary,
and was made human.
He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered and was buried.
The third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures.
He ascended to heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again with glory
to judge the living and the dead.
His kingdom will never end.And we believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord, the giver of life.
He proceeds from the Father.
With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified.
He spoke through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church.
We affirm one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look forward to the resurrection of the dead,
and to life in the world to come. Amen.