Ministry Vision
OUR MAIN AIM
Our main aim for the ministry is very simple. In our own lives, and in the lives of those who meet with us, we aim to encourage an attitude of constant self examination according to Scripture, and a willingness to repent and turn back to God obediently in any place that our lives conflict with its teaching.
We have a deep desire to live our lives in Christ in such a way as to reflect the Light and Love of Christ to those around us, and display a godly example to others in the Body of Christ.
Every person, both young and old is valued fully, and is recognised as a fully functional part of the body in our ministry. Therefore we are constantly seeking to encourage an attitude of participation amongst our congregation, and fully recognise the desire of God to use anyone who is willing to serve Him.
OUR LEADERSHIP
In every area of our ministry, we first and foremost look to Christ Himself as our Teacher, and our Shepherd. We come under no other banner other than His, and allow no other to be our Head other than Him.
The structure of our leadership is based as closely as we can to the instruction given in the Bible, just as our teaching never goes beyond what the Bible clearly teaches us. For we are of the opinion that we cannot know Christ more clearly than He has chosen to reveal of Himself through His Word. And we cannot make disciples of any worth, other than by encouraging an attitude of complete submission to His teaching, given throughout the entire Bible, and always with the context of the Scriptures clearly in mind.
As head of each family, Rick Carr and John Dunning are acknowledge as the two men accountable for the way in which our ministry operates, but their authority to lead others does not go beyond that in which they are willing to submit fully to Christ and follow His ways.
EVANGELISM
Due to the fact that the fellowship was formed initially out of a desire to reach Townhill Park with the Gospel message, the subject of evangelism is always close to our heart. As we have spent time studying the Bible diligently, we have begun to realise that our methods need to be carefully looked at, however we will always be seeking opportunities to share the Gospel message with those around us.
One point we would like to stress on this subject however, is that the salvation of anyone, from start to finish, lies solely in the hands of God Himself. Nobody comes to true saving faith in Christ unless He enables them by placing faith in their heart to begin with. And what's more, out of those who profess to follow Christ, the Bible clearly shows us that many will actually be turned away by Jesus Christ in the Last Day, as "those He never knew". Not because of any lack of saving power on His part, but due to an unwillingness on the part of those professing to believe, to examine themselves to ensure the faith they have is sincerely in Christ alone.
Therefore, we seek to ensure this is in fact the case with those who already meet with us, in order that we can truly instruct those who turn to Christ upon hearing the Gospel proclaimed by us.
DISCIPLESHIP
With regard to discipleship, the question "Who are you to teach others?", may well be leveled against us. Especially as none of us are officially "pastors", or academically noted theology students. This is something that we take very seriously, and has caused great caution in our decision to establish this ministry.
As we have studied the Word however, we have begun to realise that the commission to "make disciples of all nations" was addressed not to us directly, but to those chosen by Jesus Christ Himself as His disciples, namely the apostles who established the church in the first place.
Because of this we can be free from the wrong perception that we somehow have to train and disciple others from our own experience and skill. But rather open up the Bible fully, that the doctrine of the apostles, chosen and anointed by God for the task, can be released to those we seek to lead in Christ.
Our effectiveness in the discipleship of others then, lies not in our own experience and skill, but our own willingeness to submit fully to the apostles doctrine, and by so doing, submit directly to the teaching and instruction of Christ Himself.
Please understand fully our own awareness of our own weakness and failures, and had we not believed the above to be true, we could never have even dreamed of becoming an independant ministry whatsoever.
Site Menu
Verse for the Day
