Logo and Mission Statement Explained

Every business has a logo or a symbol that becomes familiar. Most are designed to be recognizable, memorable, and visually appealing. Churches are no different. However, their logos tend to have more significant meaning behind them. At St. Andrew’s, our logo was never intended to be merely a graphic. It is a visual expression of who we are, what God has called us to become, and why we exist. In this post, my hope is to help you understand its significance and how we, as a church community, can embody its meaning in the world.

Surrounding our logo are the words: “Renew Self - Renew Community - Renew the World - All for Christ.” These words have become our mission statement at St. Andrew’s. But, it is not simply our mission statement. It is our prayer, our calling, and our hope. Every thing we do is driven by this simple statement. Every ministry, every service, every Bible study, every act of charity, and every conversation should move us toward making these words a reality. We are focused on renewing ourselves, our communities and the world for Christ.

The logo itself tells that story.

At the very center is the Jerusalem Cross, one of the oldest symbols of the Christian faith. It is made up of five crosses: one large cross surrounded by four smaller ones. Traditionally, the four smaller crosses remind us of the four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, through whom the good news of Jesus Christ has been shared in every generation. Together, the five crosses also recall the five wounds Christ bore during His crucifixion. The Jerusalem Cross places the Gospel at the center of who we are at St. Andrew’s reminding us that Jesus’ death and resurrection are the source of every renewal of our mission.

Surrounding the Jerusalem Cross is a darker circle. A circle has no beginning and no end, reminding us of God’s eternal nature. More specifically, this circle also represents the unity and perfect fellowship of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Before there was creation, before there was the Church, there was the loving communion of the Trinity. Our life together as Christians flows from God’s own life. We are invited into His love before we are sent into the world to share it.

Behind the Jerusalem Cross is the distinctive X-shaped Cross of St. Andrew, the patron saint of our church. According to Christian tradition, Andrew considered himself unworthy to die on the same kind of cross as Jesus and was therefore crucified on an X-shaped cross. Throughout history, this X-shaped St. Andrew’s Cross has become a symbol of humble discipleship and faithful witness. It reminds us that following Christ is not simply believing certain truths but offering our lives in joyful service to Him.

The four points of the St. Andrew’s Cross, that extend outward beyond the circle, remind us of our sending into the world to be kingdom bearers. Jesus calls us to follow him as a way of sending out to renew the world around us. These four points beautifully illustrate the movement of our mission.

First, we seek to renew ourselves.

Everything begins with Christ transforming us. Christianity is never merely about becoming more religious or trying harder. It is about allowing the Holy Spirit to continually shape us into the people God created us to be. As Paul writes, “Be transformed by the renewing of your minds” (Romans 12:2). Renewal begins with us, and it begins when we daily surrender ourselves to Jesus, allowing His grace to reshape our hearts, our priorities, and our lives.

Second, we seek to renew our community.

God never renews us simply for our own benefit. As we are changed by Christ, we become instruments of His love for others. We are called to serve our neighbors, care for those in need, encourage those who are struggling, forgive generously, and become a visible expression of God’s Kingdom within our neighborhoods. We pray that the Holy Spirit would use St. Andrew’s to bring healing, hope, and reconciliation wherever He sends us.

Third, we seek to renew the world.

Jesus calls His followers to be “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). The Gospel is too good to keep to ourselves. God’s grace and mercy are for every nation, every culture, and every person. Our mission reaches beyond the walls of our parish because Christ’s mission reaches to the ends of the earth. As we proclaim the Good News, the Holy Spirit continues His work of drawing people into one Body, united in Christ.

Finally, every part of our mission points to one purpose: all for Christ.

This is perhaps the most important part of our mission statement. We do not pursue personal renewal to become better versions of ourselves. We do not serve our community to receive recognition. We do not share the Gospel to build our own reputation or grow an institution. Everything is for Christ. He is the center of our faith, the reason for our worship, the source of our mission, and the goal toward which everything points. Every act of discipleship, every ministry, every outreach, and every moment of worship exists so that Jesus Christ may be known, loved, and glorified.

When you look at our logo, I hope you see more than shapes and symbols. I hope you see the story of the Gospel. That the Jerusalem Cross reminds us of Christ’s saving work. The surrounding circle reminds us that we are drawn into the life God. That that Cross of St. Andrew reminds us that faithful discipleship requires humility. And that the four outward points remind us that God’s transforming work never stops with us; it moves outward to our communities and ultimately the world.

This is who we are striving to become at St. Andrew the Apostle in Rocky Hill. A people continually being renewed by Christ. A church offering renewal to our communities. A faithful witness proclaiming the hope of the Gospel to the world. And every step of faith we take is done for one reason alone: All for Christ.