Dawley Baptist Church
Ethics Statement   

Our Christian Identity 

Dawley Baptist Church is a community of Christians who live to worship God, to grow in our understanding and experience of God and to share the good news about Jesus Christ. It is this Christian identity, Dawley Baptist Church’s agreed beliefs and values, and our covenant with the Baptist community that are the foundation of all we are and do.
 
Our Commitment to the Wider Baptist Community 

Dawley Baptist Church has chosen to covenant with the Baptist Union of Great Britain (BUGB) and its member churches and organisations. Therefore, BUGB’s Declaration of Principle, Vision and Culture all contribute to our ethos as a Baptist church.
 
Hopes & Aspirations

 We strive to be a church:

• committed to the truth of the Bible, seeking to live by its teaching.
• where people are becoming mature followers of Jesus through Biblical, life-related and accessible preaching, and through mutual example.
• where believers are equipped to live as Christians in their daily lives.
• in which there is a sense of the awe and wonder of God. 
• where spiritual gifts are encouraged.
• which is committed to being strengthened and reinforced by prayer; where many believers will be in prayer partnerships and home groups; where personal prayer ministry is offered to those who want it.
• which cares for those in need; where people can find salvation, healing, forgiveness, love and practical help.
• which is united, committed to loving each other in a caring, vibrant community. People share hospitality and share their lives.
• which reaches out to the community of Dawley & Telford with the life-changing message of the gospel of Jesus Christ and expects many people to come to faith.
• which is an active part of the wider body of Christ in Dawley & Telford.
• which has a world mission perspective. Church members support world and local mission financially and practically.  

 
Statement of Beliefs
 
In recognition of the Baptist principle that each church has liberty, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to interpret and administer the laws of Jesus Christ, and following the ethos outlined above, Dawley Baptist Church has discerned and agreed to hold to the theological convictions as outlined in our Basis of Faith. This leads us to take the following view on specific issues affecting leadership.
 
Women in Leadership
 
Dawley Baptist Church holds to the view that God created women and men equal in personhood and that He calls and equally affirms both men and women into a vast array of roles, including all forms of church leadership.
 
Sex and Gender
 
Dawley Baptist Church acknowledges that the Bible teaches God created man and woman, and that a person's gender is God given and assigned at birth. While anyone being part of the LGBQT+ community is no barrier to participation in the life of the church, this theological position precludes them from being appointed to leadership positions in the life of the church. 
 
Sexual Orientation & Same-Sex Marriage
 
Dawley Baptist Church holds to the understanding that sexual relationships can only be expressed in marriage which we recognise as being between a man and a woman. While relationship status or sexual orientation are no barrier to participation in the life of the church, this theological position precludes those who are not celibate outside of marriage, or those in a same-sex marriage, from being appointed to leadership positions in the life of the church.
Marriage & Divorce
 
Dawley Baptist Church holds to the understanding that there are legitimate biblical grounds for divorce. Should a person marry again it would not be a barrier to full participation in the life or leadership of the church.
 
 
This Ethics Statement was formally adopted by a majority vote at the church meeting held on Sunday 16th November 2025.
 
Signed on behalf of the Members of Dawley Baptist Church
 
 
 
 
Geoff Davenport
Church Secretary