A change of approach

As a church we affirm:

The authority of Scripture for us in making moral decisions. That it is for serious study and we ask for the Holy Spirit’s help and illumination in understanding it, whether by ourselves or in discussion together. (2Tim 2:15, 3:16-17, Lk 10:26, Jn 16:13)
The dignity and worth of all people as we are made in God’s image. (Ge 1:26)
As believers in Jesus our core identity is we are God's children and dearly loved. (Jn 1:11-13, Gal 4:6-7, Col 3:12)
We are all sinners in need of God's grace and as followers of Jesus are to become more and more like him. (1Jn 1:8-2:2, Rm 3:23-24, 2Co 3:18, 1Jn 2:6)
Our understanding of God and each other is incomplete. (1Co 13:12, 2:11, Rm 2:1-4)

We're working for relationships:

Honest and loving enough that we can receive a challenge from one another whilst recognising God’s priorities for others can be different to ours. (Pr 27:17, Heb 10:24, Col 3:16, Is 55:8,9)
Where we listen well to one another, recognising that we won’t always agree and that disagreement itself can be a place of growth. (Jm 1:19,26, Pr 18:13, 27:17)
That show God's love, peace and work of reconciliation even if we part ways. (Col 3:12-15, Rm 12:10, Mt 5:23-24, 2Co 5:16-19, Jn 13:35)
Where we support each other in the struggle and suffering as well as joys of life and Christian discipleship. (Heb 12:4-11, Rom 5:1-5, 8:28, 12:15, Gal 6:2,7-10)
That express the family we have become recognising it is not good to live alone. (Mt 12:49-50, Rm 12:10-13, Heb 2:11-12, 13:1, Ge 2:18)

Position statement

The position and teaching of this church is that marriage is between a man and a woman (is loving, committed, monogamous, faithful and life-long) and sexual intimacy is reserved for such marriage.

a) We recognise not everyone agrees with this, including some of our young people, and the Leadership Team and the Church Meeting is trusted to bring this for review if necessary.
b) It is hypocritical to focus on any one kind of sin to deny or detract from our need to repent from our own. (Mt 7:5, Rm 2:1-4)
c) There is a danger and imbalance on focusing on one issue and not others (e.g. greed and depravity ... envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice ... gossips, slanderers, the arrogant) (Rm 1:29-30)
d) Jesus taught that the thoughts and attitudes of our hearts are subject to judgement as well as our actions and delivered his fiercest words to those who considered themselves morally self-righteous. (Mt 5:22, 28, 23:13-36)

Therefore …

e) We want to welcome and bless (not condone) anyone living differently to this position.
f) Those in membership we would expect to respect the church’s teaching.
g) The Leadership Team is trusted to pastorally handle situations where the church’s teaching appears not to be respected.
h) We want to honour those amongst us who, whether by choice or circumstances, are celibate. Recognising this is not less of a life for Christ, if anything it is more and that the destiny of all believers is as the bride of Christ. (1Co 7:32-35, Mt 22:30, Rev 19:7-8)
i) We value friendship and believe intimacy, commitment and self-sacrifice can be expressed in close/intimate/spiritual friendship without sexual intimacy and God’s love can be revealed in such friendships. (2Sam 1:26, Pr 17:17, Jn 15:13, 1Jn 4:7-12)
j) The minister is trusted to pastorally handle dedications and baptisms.
k) Coming into membership is the decision of the Church Meeting.
l) Our change of approach, position statement and these clarifications will be:

available to any member, regular or visitor who asks about it
presented to anyone becoming a member
online

Hello and welcome to our church. If you are a new visitor, we have a page for you to get to know us and learn more about planning a visit.
Click to see more

Visitors click here

Planning your Visit

A Warm Hello

The following information is specifically for those planning a visit, so that you know, beforehand, what to expect on a Sunday morning.

Where and When

We meet at the Church Building (details here) for our Sunday Service starting at 10.30am. For your first visit, we recommend arriving 10-15 minutes early to ensure you get a parking space and find somewhere to sit before the service begins. When you arrive, you should be greeted by someone on our Welcome Team who will be wearing a Welcome lanyard.

We serve tea, coffee and biscuits from 10am, before the service begins. It is a great way to meet people, or simply take time to find your bearings. All refreshments are free.

Accessibility: There is wheelchair access, and a sound loop for anyone who needs it. Please let one of the Welcome Team know on your arrival and they will help you to get set up. There are disabled toilets in the main foyer.

Our Service

The main service begins at 10.30am with a warm welcome from one of our team members. Then follows a time of sung worship, led by our band. We typically have 2 or 3 songs lasting approximately 20 minutes. Sometimes a person might pray out loud or read a small passage from the bible. Sometimes people share things that they believe God is saying to the whole church family. This might seem strange the first time you hear it but it’s all part of our connecting with God. We then share news and notices, usually about what’s going on in the life of the church. One of our leaders will then give a sermon that is bible based and that we can apply to our everyday life. We then finish with a final worship song. Sometimes there is an opportunity to receive prayer at the end of the service.

images: Services

What about my kids?

We have a great programme lined up for kids of all ages:

Children stay with their parent or grown-up at the start of the service for the welcome, songs and notices. We really value worshipping God all together as a family. At the end of the notices someone will announce that it’s time for the younger members to go to their various groups. You will need to go with your children to their groups and register them as part of our child safety policy. Whilst you are dropping your kids off at their groups, we pause to take time to chat to someone sitting near or next to us, giving folk a chance to come back before the sermon begins.

The kids group activities vary depending on the age but usually there is a friendly welcome, bible stories, testimonies, praying, music, craft, drama, fun games and free play. Please pick your children up as soon as the service finishes.

Getting Connected

Small Groups

While Sundays are a great way to meet new people, it is often in smaller gatherings that you can really get to know someone. Being part of one of our small groups allows you to make new friends, share together and support each other. We have a variety of groups that meet throughout the week, some afternoons and some evenings. Check out Small Groups and see if there’s one that you could join, or we can put you in touch with a small group leader who will be more than happy to invite you along to their group.

Serving and Volunteering

If you want to get involved in the life of the church and help us make Sundays run smoothly, you can sign up to serve on a team.

Other Ministries

We also run the following ministries:

Men's Ministries
Women's Ministries

Get in touch with us to plan your visit

If you would like to come and visit the church beforehand you are more than welcome! Get in touch and we can arrange a time that suits you.

Name:

Telephone:

Email Address:
Comments / Questions or anything you would like to say?

Next, we will contact you by email to say hello and help arrange anything necessary for your visit.

Leadership


Leader 1		Leader 2
Leader Intro		Leader Intro

We hope that whoever you are, you will feel at home at our church.

Best Wishes

(Handwritten Signature)