Our aims

Our aims are encapsulated in our

• Ministry to God,
• Ministry to fellow Christians,
• Ministry to Others.

Our ministry to God is WORSHIP, not merely a preparation for something else, but itself fulfilling the major purpose of the Church with reference to its Lord (Col 3v16, Eph 5v19). Freedom of expression in such worship is to be encouraged and valued.

Our ministry to our fellow Christians is NURTURE, including teaching and pastoral care, (Eph 4v12-13) because God gave the Church gifted persons "to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ" (Col 1v28). To this end, all the gifts that God has given by His Spirit are welcomed and valued.

Our ministry to Others is EVANGELISM and MERCY, we are to "make disciples of all nations" (Matt 28v19) and we are to do good to all (Luke 6v35-36).

A strong church will have a balance of effective ministries in all three areas, with individual member's involvement being in proportion to their gift and abilities.

Our Ethos

Our Ethos can be summarised by the following core values:

• Each Individual is of immense value to God
• The primary agent for change in an individual's life is the Holy Spirit working through the Word of God.
• Authentic, loving relationships are at the heart of true fellowship.
• Our acceptance with God and with one another is based on the grace of God, not on how well we perform.
• True holiness lies in our attitude of heart to God rather than in the observance of rules and regulations.
• Total devotion to Christ and to His cause in this world is the normal way of life for every believer.
• God has uniquely designed and equipped each member of the church to serve one another.
• Everything we do should be done as unto the Lord, in faith, to the best of the abilities he has given us.
• The church must be culturally relevant while remaining doctrinally pure.
• The church needs godly leadership by those with leadership gifts and accountability for all in leadership.

Our Commitment

Our Commitment is having received Christ as Lord and Saviour, being in agreement with What We Believe, and accepting the Aims & Ethos of ChristChurch, Belfast; I commit myself to God and to the other members of the ChristChurch family to do the following:

I will share the responsibility of my church:

• by praying for its growth
• by inviting the unchurched to attend
• by warmly welcoming those who visit

I will serve the ministry of my church:

• by discovering my gifts and talents
• by being prepared to serve
• by developing a servant's heart

I will support the testimony of my church:

• by attending faithfully
• by living a godly life
• by giving regularly

I will protect the unity of my church:

• by acting in love toward other members
• by refusing to gossip
• by following the leaders

Our Beliefs

Doctrine

The Bible, as originally given, is inspired by God, and every word is infallible. Through it God speaks to us. It is our authority for what we believe and practise.
(References: 2Tim 3v15-17, 2Peter 1v 20-21, Psalm 19v7-11)

There is only one God, revealed in the Bible as three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. These three are one God, co-eternal and co-equal.
(References: Deut 6v4, John 1v1-2, 5v17, 22-23, 14v25-26 )

The Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, became man, being conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He is both eternal God and a perfect, sinless man. God is love, and through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross He has provided the way in which sinful people can be brought into a right relationship with Him. The death of the Lord Jesus Christ is the only sacrifice for sin and through it there is freedom from the guilt and penalty of sin. On the third day after His crucifixion the Lord Jesus Christ was raised bodily from the dead and in His risen, glorified body he ascended into heaven to the right hand of God the Father. The Lord Jesus Christ will return in person for those who have believed in Him, both those who have died and those who are alive, and together they will be with Him for ever.
(References: Phil 2v5-11, Heb 1v1-3, John 3v16, 1Cor 15v3,4,20, IThess 4v13-18)

Man, created by God in his image and likeness, sinned. As a result all men are sinful and guilty before God and subject to God's righteous wrath and condemnation.
(References: Gen 1v27, Psalm 8v3-6, Rom 3v23, Isaiah 59v1-2, Rom 6v23, Rev 20v15)

Salvation can not be earned or deserved. It is God's free gift, given when a person repents and trusts Jesus Christ, acknowledging Him both as Saviour and Lord. Because of God's undeserved love and mercy the person who trusts in Christ receives complete forgiveness of sins, becomes a child of God and receives eternal life which can never be lost.
(References:John 3v16, Eph 2v8-9, John 14v6, 1v12, 10v29 1Peter 1v3-5)

The Holy Spirit indwells every believer from the moment of conversion. His role in the life of the believer is to glorify the Lord Jesus, producing increasing likeness to Christ in character and behaviour. It is the Holy Spirit who gives the power to fight against sin and to witness to the world. The Holy Spirit continues to distribute His gifts to Believers, as He chooses, in order to build up the church.
(References: Eph 1v13, 1Cor 3v16, John 16v13-14, 1Cor ch12-14 )

There is one universal Church; the Body of Christ. Into this body, of which the Lord Jesus Christ is Head, all believers are baptised by the Holy Spirit at the moment of conversion. This universal Church finds expression in a local church, made up of believers, with a threefold purpose: the praise and worship of God; the upbuilding of each other in love; witness to others.
(References: Rom 15v7, John 1v12-13, 1Cor 12v12-13, Col 3v16, Eph 5v19-20, 4v12-13, Mat 28v19-20, Luke 6v35-36 )

Scripture is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice. ChristChurch recognises that it cannot bind the conscience of individual members in areas where scripture is silent or unclear, and in such circumstances each believer is to be led by the Lord to whom they are ultimately responsible.

Practice

We observe two ordinances: Baptism and the Lord's Supper.

Baptism

We believe the New Testament teaches that every person who comes to personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ should be baptised as a public declaration of the individual's identification with the Lord Jesus Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. It marks obedience to Jesus Christ as Lord but is not essential for salvation.

Lord's Supper

It is the privilege of every follower of Jesus Christ to meet with other believers to take bread and wine in remembrance of the Lord, proclaiming His death until He returns. We welcome all who have come to personal faith in the Lord Jesus and who want to obey Him to participate in any of our celebrations of the Lord's Supper.

Membership

Membership of the church implies commitment to Christ as Saviour and Lord, and to one another in love, just as He himself has loved. This involves praying for one another, encouraging one another, sharing one another's burdens, being hospitable, actively caring for one another, and refusing to become involved in spreading gossip. Each member is also responsible for support of church activities, exercising their gifts for the benefit of all the members, and for regular giving to meet the church's financial commitments.

Leadership

ChristChurch has a number of Elders called by the Holy Spirit to fulfil the responsibilities of leadership, as servants of the church, to provide a Godly example, truthful teaching, pastoral care, oversight and discipline of all the church members in accordance with the Word of God. It is the responsibility of the members to recognise, support and follow the leadership in all aspects of church life.

The Holy Spirit

ChristChurch is both a spiritual and physical entity at the same time. We striive to allow the Holy Spirit to have the overall leadership of our church and constantly desire to regularly hear what the Holy Spirit says to ChristChurch.

The responsibility for that discernment lies with our elders.

Elders

ChristChurch is an Elder led church. Elders are appointed, following nominations by the church, and serve for a maximum of 6 years at a time. The Elders have responsibility to discern God's vision for ChristChurch by worshipping God together, listening to the Holy Spirit together, Studying the Bible together, praying together, interpreting world events together, listening to the members of ChristChurch, and being influenced by churches where God is evidently moving.

Our current Elders are:

• Carson Mulholland (Worship and Prayer)
• Nick Karayanis (Outreach and Global Mission)
• Howard Davey (Communication and Finances)
• Mike Whitley (Teaching Team)
• Jackie Whyte (Social Action, Small Groups and Pastoral Care)
• Malcolm Woods (General, Youth and Children)

Deacons

Deacons are appointed by the Elders to oversee an area of specific responsibility in the church, and lead a team of people serving in that area.

Our current Deacons are:

• General: Willem Koorts
• Global Missions Team: Stephen Gilmore
• Finance: Paul McVittie
• Pastoral Care: Dorothy Irwin
• Prayer: Alain Douglas
• Outreach: Paul Griffith
• Small Groups: Martin Agnew
• Communication: Stephen McVittie
• Social Action: Vacant (Linda Barr)
• Children: Leah Grant

Pastors

Greg Neville is our Youth worker and has overall responsibility for all aspects of our ministry to Young People, including the nurture and development of the youth workers.

Jackie Whyte is Associate Pastor. He is associate to the Eldership Team, and has responsibility for Pastoral Care and Ministry Co-ordination which involves supporting the Deacons to help them be as effective as possible in their ministries.

Together the Elders, Deacons and Pastors form the Leadership Team.  The final responsibility within the team lies with the Elders.

What it means to be a member

Our Core Ministries

Life is stressful in the 21st century, and there are many demands on our time and resources. We are attempting to find the right balance of core ministries for busy people.

Our expectations of you as a new comer are that you would engage with a minimum of:

• Sunday Morning Ministry (Weekly)
• Small Group Ministry (Currently Fortnightly)
• Prayer Ministry (Currently Monthly)
• Giving -
  • Tithes and Offerings  - Gift aided where possible. (Weekly/Monthly)
  • Special Offerings

Membership

Who can become a member?

All who believe in Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord and who accept the final authority of the Holy Scriptures in all matters of faith and practice.

What is expected of members?

• Live a life that is consistent with the Gospel and worthy of your high calling in Christ
• Regularly attend Sunday Morning Worship Services.
• Regularly attend and participate in a small group.
• Regularly attend prayer ministry.
• Regularly give financially to ChristChurch.