05/10/2007

OUR STRUCTURE (How we need to function )

Our basic structure is the two winged approach of small groups (church in the home) & the complete family (church in our building).

Community (cell) groups meet weekly for the purpose of fellowship, worship, applying biblical teaching, prayer & ministering to one another & outreach. Their life will be based on the Bible, prayer & the gifts of the Holy Spirit with Jesus at the centre of everything. They will seek to be salt & light in the community, to minister through works of love & friendship evangelism. Multiplying in 12 months. 

The complete family meets together on a weekly basis to worship God, instruction, ministry, evangelism & fellowship. 

The government of our church is under the headship of our Lord Jesus Christ, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We are led by David Chester with support coming from Colin Little. We are accountable to the Portuguese Baptist Church in Portimao. 

We have links with the International Baptist Convention, New Frontiers family of Churches, The Family Church (Christchurch) led by Tony Goodman & Grace Community Church (Looe) led by John Gilespie.

OUR STRATEGY 2007/8 (Action plan)

 To devote ourselves corporately & individually to prayer and seeking God, with times of fasting, so as to know His plans & purposes for us concerning the immediate & long term future and for His gracious hand of blessing to be upon us in all we do. 

We commit to:-

1.  Prayer as a church every Friday Evening.

2.  Prayer & fasting (Quarterly)

Continually remind ourselves of our values, our purpose, our vision & our strategy:-

1.  On Sunday mornings

2.  Family meetings every 4 months where we can encourage, listen to concerns & receive feedback.

Promote our purposes in the church as a whole by commitment to & support of community groups & by holding a 'Church Weekend' each year. (Usually January)

1.  Every regular Sunday worshiper to be part of  a community group.

2.  Each young person or child to be nurtured via groups.

3.  Each person to be encouraged to take part in an 'Encounter Weekend'

PLUS:-

• To outreach via the community groups.  (Bowling, Social action, etc.)

• To see an Alpha Program running during the year.

• To get involved in the Mums & Tots, disabled centre & children’s home.

• To see new converts discipled & potential leaders trained.

• Leaders to attend Leaders Conference where possible.

• To set up a Marriage Enrichment Course.

• Use of Summer Outreach Teams.

• Parenting Courses set up in the community.

• To be good stewards of our resources & to see the debt on the church buildings eradicated as God enables us.