It's worth noting that although so much has changed for our community the statement of belief that we drafted in 2001 still stands. So although the expression of our faith is quite different, the underpinning belief has not changed. So we haven't 'gone off the rails' for anyone who was wondering!

Statement of Belief

The Mission, the Bible and our God

The mission of the Church is to help people become committed followers of Jesus Christ.

We believe the Bible to be inspired by God, without error, and the final authority regarding the Christian faith.

We believe in one true God, existing eternally in three persons, as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, who by His sovereign power, created, and sustains the world.

The Need and the Solution

We believe that people were originally created to enjoy relationship with God, but through the rebellion of mankind at the beginning of human history, are now alienated from Him by sin. This divide renders us unable to please God, and separates all individuals from a relationship with Him.

We believe that the salvation of humanity is wholly a work of God's free grace, and that it is impossible to earn God's favour by human works or goodness. Rather, through personal repentance and faith in the substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus Christ we are reconciled to God.

The Saviour

We believe Jesus Christ to be the second Person of the Trinity, who by His miraculous conception became a real human being, experiencing and identifying Himself with us. He lived a life of total obedience to God the Father, and voluntarily atoned for the sins of all by dying on the cross as our substitute. By this act, He satisfied divine justice and accomplished salvation for all who trust in Him alone.

We believe that He rose from the dead and ascended into Heaven, where He now sits at the right hand of God the Father having completed His work. He is the only mediator between God and humanity, continually interceding on behalf of all who call Him Lord. He will come again to earth, personally and visibly, to bring history to a final conclusion and to introduce His everlasting kingdom.

Life change, and the work of the Holy Spirit

We believe that a genuine saving relationship with Jesus Christ should be accompanied by evidence of holiness and obedience to the ways of God, and as believers we submit to the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit.

We believe The Holy Spirit to be the third Person of the Trinity, who indwells every believer, as a source of assurance, strength and wisdom.

We believe that spiritual gifts of The Holy Spirit are relevant for today, and that God imparts His gifts to believers for the purpose of strengthening the Church.

The Church

We believe there is one true universal Church, comprising many local congregations and of which Christ is the Head.

We believe that the five-fold purpose of a local Church is to

Celebrate God's presence in Worship
Communicate God's word through Evangelism
Be a part of God's family in Fellowship
Educate God's people through Discipleship
Demonstrate God's love through Service

We believe in the priesthood of all believers, and that each follower of Jesus Christ is called to become a member of His body the Church.

The Afterlife

We believe that death seals the eternal destiny of each person, and that all mankind will experience the resurrection of the body into the spiritual world, followed by a judgement that will determine the eternal destiny of each individual.

Those who have rejected the claims of Jesus Christ in this life will be eternally separated from him in the next, and consigned to eternal punishment. Those believers who have embraced the claims of Jesus Christ in this life will be received into an eternal relationship and communion with Him.