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More information about how the
church operates The church has two types of
leaders. The pastors and the deacons. The pastors are responsible to teach
the church from the Bible. The deacons assist the church by taking
responsibility for anything that would otherwise distract the pastors from
their role in teaching the church. All the church officers have an
unreserved belief in the doctrines set out in the statement of faith, and are
commitment to the historic gospel. In our day the Christian world
has a number of confusing elements to it, among which are: The Ecumenical Movement: This is a grouping of churches
and movements which basically ignores the meaning of the Bible and says that
everything that calls itself Christian is valid. We are not part of that
movement because it denies the exclusive nature of the gospel and the Lord
Jesus Christ. Roman Catholicism: Once the Pope and the Roman
Catholic ruled the religious life of this country. The doctrines and
practices of the Roman Catholic Church are diametrically opposed to the
salvation of sinners and the belief and practices set out in the scriptures. The Charismatics: Christians believe differently
about the Charismatic gifts. To avoid the confusion and difficulties that
arise from those who say that God speaks directly to people, or that he gives
them unintelligible words we are not what may be called a
"Charismatic" Church. These so‑called gifts are not to be
used in the fellowship, neither are they to be promoted among us, either
explicitly or privately. Inter Church fellowship: We work together with a number of
other churches in the area, where they too are fully committed to these
principles and convictions and the good news about the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ is the
supreme Head of the Church. The members of the church are like the different
parts of one body. We are sure he is with his people and we are seeking to
order our lives and the affairs of this church according to our understanding
of the Word of God, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We also aim to fulfil the call of
the Lord Jesus to make the good news about how to be saved known to as many
people as we are able. What about ceremonies? The scriptures teach two
ceremonies for the Christian Church. They are baptism and the Lord's Supper. Believer's baptism is observed
when people have put their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. This outward
ceremony is a symbol of their death to an old way of life and their rising
again as a new person to live a new life. It is also a symbol that they have
been washed from al the sin that makes their soul soiled and unclean before
God. The Lord's Supper is like a
simple meal for believers to observe together. All believers in the Lord
Jesus Christ who are walking with the Lord may join with us. It is like a
memorial service where we remember how wonderful Jesus is to have died for
our sins and to have completely taken the punishment for us. People are not put right with God
by being christened. The Lord’s Supper is not at all like the Who tells the church what it
can and cannot do? When people become Christians and
are baptised in this church they become members of the church. Other people
move here and have been in another church. The members of the church are
responsible to make decisions based on the teaching of the Bible. There is no
committee somewhere else that governs the church or checks up on it. The church seeks to be agreed in
its decision making processes. It acknowledges however that the imperfection
of our understanding of scripture, and sometimes of relevant information
about a matter, and other legal requirements mean that we sometimes take a
vote, but even then three quarters of the members have to agree for us to go
ahead. What are the responsibilities
of the pastors and deacons? The members determine from time
to time the numbers of office bearers appropriate to the needs of the
fellowship. Two of them fill the offices of Secretary and Treasurer
respectively. The Word of God teaches that only
men whose lives are above reproach should be given this responsibility.
Because these roles require a lot of work, where one of the pastors or
deacons are unable to fulfil their commitments they would ordinarily stand
down. Especially where one of these
leaders is involved in any scandal or openly sinful conduct, or where their
private life distracts them from the primary role they have in the church, or
where they can no loner agree with the doctrines in the Bible as set out in
the statement of faith they would be removed from their responsibility. What about the Minister,
Pastor or Full‑time elder? The status of person who is often
called the pastor is that he is just another elder of the local flock,
sharing its oversight with other elders. The difference is that he has been
set aside by the congregation to give himself more fully to labouring in the
understanding the Word of God and teaching it. He isn’t like the boss. He
certainly isn’t the pope of the church! He is usually the main teacher of
the Bible in the church. Church Business meetings. The members meet together about
four times a year especially to talk about practical and spiritual matters
needing their attention. Any member can raise any matter at the church
meetings. One of the elders is the chairman. The members who are 18 years old
and over can vote whenever that is needed. So what is Church membership
about? The difference between attending
and belonging to a local church is very similar to that between being a
visitor to a household and a member of a family. A certain relationship
exists between the members which the visitor cannot share. The teaching of the New Testament
points to the establishing of local churches, and this cannot even happen
without people being committed to being associated with each other in a
proper way to form a church. Turning up on a Sunday cannot create a church.
To be organised means you have to know there is such a commitment. The descriptions of the local
church in the Bible include likening it to a beautiful building; a human
body; a flock of sheep; a family; the bride of Christ. This proves that a solitary Christian is an unnatural thing.
God in His wisdom has created us to belong to one another It is a voluntary relationship
entered into after serious consideration on both sides. This Church is formed by those
who have repented and turned from sin to God and put their trust in our Lord
Jesus Christ. Normally they have been baptized in the name of the Father and
of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Where for various reasons they cannot be
baptized by being immersed the Pastors will decide whether another method
like pouring water on them is suitable. Joining the church is serious.
Believers have to understand the
basic teaching of the gospel, and the pastors will talk with them so that
they can be sure they want to be in this church. New members are received
publicly. We receive them as members, normally when we meet to remember the
Lord’s Supper. Associate membership is open to
those who are temporarily resident locally and attend the Church. Members should be willing to
participate in the fellowship, prayer and worship of the church as fully as
possible. As Christians, and to please the
Lord we seek to live caring and clean lives in the community. We pray
together, encourage each other, and use our gifts and abilities in our
fellowship together. How do we pay for it all? The answer is that in the
meetings on Sunday there is a box placed so that anyone who wishes to may
contribute. What if things go wrong? A hypocrite is someone who seems
to be one thing, but is really another. Whenever things go wrong, and a
person who is a member of the church does anything that brings dishonour on
the Lord’s name and the reputation of the church the church will meet to
decide how to respond to the situation. The elders of David Harding Jack Morrow Church
Secretary David Owen Howard Crossley Hicham El Mostain The deacons of Tim Platts Treasurer Brian Watson |
