5 Distinctives

Every Eden team is undertaking its mission according to 5 Distinctives'

We Are Incarnational
We are devoted to the communities that we have adopted as home. This is far more than simply being a good neighbour or even being a willing local volunteer. We have a sense of calling and commitment to live long-term as salt and light, fleshing out the grace of God.

We Are Relational
Relationships are the currency of our lives and the primary route through which transformation takes place. Therefore we choose to lead an authentic, open life within an accountable team dynamic. This way of life may be expressed in many ways such as valuing family, practising hospitality and loving the unlovely.

We Are Purposeful
We are not passive observers in our communities, we are there to be a deliberate witness of Jesus Christ. The church we belong to has an overarching mission which recognises the synergy between who we are and what we do. In times of excitement and times of endurance we will retain our redemptive intent.

We Are Countercultural
Whilst acknowledging the importance of embracing the culture we live in we will retain a deliberately different stance on issues of integrity and morality as Jesus has taught us. We expect challenges as we model sacrificial living as urban missionaries who desire to know Jesus and make him known.

We Are Holistic
Our conviction is that God cares for whole people – not just souls. We see clearly in the Bible that the people of God are expected to play an active role in his grand restoration plan. In practice this will mean that we will develop innovative responses meeting a wide range of relational, recreational, educational, emotional and spiritual needs.

For a deeper study of the 5 Distinctives with examples of their application you can listen to Matt Wilson's talk to an audience of students at St. Thomas church in Sheffield.