convictions about church

what we share


we are

reformed

Our churches stand in the Reformed tradition, including a deep conviction of the sovereignty of God in the accomplishment and application of salvation in each individual believer. 

we are

evangelical

The Bible is our yardstick in all matters of life and doctrine. That starting point leads us to clear conclusions about penal substitutionary atonement, the urgency of evangelism and the need for conversion. 

we are

baptistic

We believe baptism is an expression of the union with Christ which comes with conversion. Our practice is therefore to baptise all those (and only those) who offer a confession of personal faith.

we are congregational

Each church is led by a group of elders who are recognised by the church. But the membership of the church retains the ultimate authority, under Christ, for its direction and decision-making.

our DNA

how we operate

christ-centred

We want Jesus to remain our focus and the focus  of those we serve. So we're not interested in creating a stage for ego, triumphalism or celebrity. We're serious.  Nothing gets in the way of his glory.

urgent

We're in the final act of history so there's no time to lose. Bringing the gospel to the perishing will take huge energy, resources and determination from his people. We're ready to play our part.

entrepreneurial

Our culture is fast-changing and diverse. That means we're going to need to adapt and embrace discomfort if we're to take the gospel opportunities. We're ready to play the ball where it lies.  

principled

For all that culture changes, truth doesn't. We won't compromise on biblical convictions. Nor will we water down New Testament expectations of how the local church is to operate. 

our patch

where we work

Our initial sphere of operation consists of Hampshire and the counties which border it: Dorset, Wiltshire, Berkshire, Surrey, West Sussex and the Isle of Wight. The total population of this area is almost 5 million and we would love to reach every one of them! We are very much at the start of our life together and we are continuing to review the scope of our vision.  

STATEMENT OF FAITH

WHAT WE BELIEVE


We have adopted as our confession of faith the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches Doctrinal Basis.
The 9 paragraphs of this document are reproduced below.

  • There is one God, who exists eternally...

    ...in three distinct but equal persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. God is unchangeable in his holiness, justice, wisdom and love. He is the almighty Creator; Saviour and Judge who sustains and governs all things according to his sovereign will for his own glory.

  • God has revealed himself in the Bible, which consists of...

    ...the Old and New Testaments alone. Every word was inspired by God through human authors, so that the Bible as originally given is in its entirety the Word of God, without error and fully reliable in fact and doctrine. The Bible alone speaks with final authority and is always sufficient for all matters of belief and practice.

  • All men and women, being created in the image of God, have inherent and... 

    ...equal dignity and worth. Their greatest purpose is to obey, worship and love God. As a result of the fall of our first parents, every aspect of human nature has been corrupted and all men and women are without spiritual life, guilty sinners and hostile to God. Every person is therefore under the just condemnation of God and needs to be born again, forgiven and reconciled to God in order to know and please him.

  • The Lord Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man. He was conceived...

    ...by the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin, and lived a sinless life in obedience to the Father. He taught with authority and all his words are true. On the cross he died in the place of sinners, bearing God’s punishment for their sin, redeeming them by his blood. He rose from the dead and in his resurrection body ascended into heaven where he is exalted as Lord of all. He intercedes for his people in the presence of the Father.

  • Salvation is entirely a work of God’s grace and cannot be earned...

    ...or deserved. It has been accomplished by the Lord Jesus Christ and is offered to all in the gospel. God in his love forgives sinners whom he calls, granting them repentance and faith. All who believe in Christ are justified by faith alone, adopted into the family of God and receive eternal life.

  • The universal Church is the body of which Christ is the head and...

    ...to which all who are saved belong. It is made visible in local churches, which are congregations of believers who are committed to each other for the worship of God, the preaching of the Word, the administering of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper; for pastoral care and discipline, and for evangelism. The unity of the body of Christ is expressed within and between churches by mutual love, care and encouragement. True fellowship between churches exists only where they are faithful to the gospel.

  • The Holy Spirit has been sent from heaven to glorify Christ and...

    ...to apply his work of salvation. He convicts sinners, imparts spiritual life and gives a true understanding of the Scriptures. He indwells all believers, brings assurance of salvation and produces increasing likeness to Christ. He builds up the Church and empowers its members for worship, service and mission.


  • Baptism and the Lord’s Supper have been given to the churches...

    ...by Christ as visible signs of the gospel. Baptism is a symbol of union with Christ and entry into his Church but does not impart spiritual life. The Lord’s Supper is a commemoration of Christ’s sacrifice offered once for all and involves no change in the bread and wine. All its blessings are received by faith.

  • The Lord Jesus Christ will return in glory. He will raise the dead...

    ...and judge the world in righteousness. The wicked will be sent to eternal punishment and the righteous will be welcomed into a life of eternal joy in fellowship with God. God will make all things new and will be glorified forever.