Our covenant is proving very useful to us. We have our three strands of Jesus Centre, Deep Belonging and giving our best for the least. These are known, understood and embraced across UV.

We have been looking for concise words that add further clarity and expression to the movement. These are to describe our identity, the culture we create among us, “the way we carry out our covenant”, the stuff that makes UV unique among movements and churches. Our Urban Visions Textures are :

Hospitable

We are generous with our homes, our mealtimes, our bedspaces, our personal wealth, our emotional energy, and our time. Embracing and including the 'other' is important to us.

Incarnational

We seek out, relocate to, and become credible members of marginalised communities. Just as “the Word dwelt among us”, we incarnate God's love with the best of our physical presence, lifestyle and time, as well as the location of our home. We keep a strong connection with our community context by reducing the clutter of unimportant tasks, travel and consumer goods.

Bi-cultural

We hold deep respect for the special place of tāngata whenua, and take seriously the implications of the Treaty of Waitangi. In our bicultural journey we increase our proficiency in Te Reo Māori and Māoritanga, and work to understand and redeem our own whakapapa.

Bi-vocational

While our covenant commitments are all-encompassing and integrate into family, friendship, recreation and work, we find creative ways to remain self-supporting in paid employment. This counters the professionalising tendencies of our culture and is a prophetic sign of the high calling of lay Christians everywhere.

Discipling

We are making disciples of Jesus. We prioritise and support each other, our friends, and neighbours in intentional discipleship, especially welcoming those who join us in formation, knowing that following Jesus will cost us what we hold dear, but lead us to true life.

Relational

We offer quality friendship and belonging as good neighbours, not large service operations. These authentic relationships form the basis for all our action and reflection. A healthy sense of belonging is the basis for real change and healing.

Sustaining

We choose a sustaining lifestyle, for ourselves, our communities, and our planet. Our stability is drawn from commitment, simple living, creativity, joy and lament. We follow rhythms of spiritual practice and the natural seasons.