People who "don't go to church" don't go for any number of reasons. Some have never given it any thought at all, some perhaps went once and didn't like it! Others may think they can get along quite well on their own, thank you very much. But never mind them - this about YOU. No matter what your reason, if you're looking for some direction in your life, read on.
 Perhaps you've been led here for a purpose, and perhaps now may be the time in your life to try something different; and NewSong Community Church is completely different to anything you've ever thought of as 'church' before.
If you know where the Church building is, don't be put off by its external appearance! Looks can be deceptive! The important thing to remember is that, it's what goes on inside (and away from) the building that makes NewSong different.
The following seven Snapshots of modern church life reflect something of what NewSong stands for. They're not the entire picture and in some areas we may a have a way to go, but they give some idea of what we're about.
If, after reading through these Snapshots, you feel you'd like to find out more, perhaps on a one-to-one basis, you'll find a response form at the end. Just fill it in, press the 'Send' button and we'll get someone to contact you.
Snapshot 1 - Clear Vision
Imagine a community where everyone is . . .
. . . so inspired by a clear common vision of where they, individually and corporately, fit into what God is planning to do in their lives, that they are giving their absolute best to God.
This is a community whose members live lives of joyful committment. Vision may be defined as, ‘a picture that inspires passion’. The clear picture of 'where the church is going' is known and owned by every church member, and it has captivated their hearts and compelled their commitment. Vision can also be defined as knowing where you fit in, individually and corporately, into what God is doing. There’s a ‘buzz’ about the place as people live in the excitement of knowing that they are investing their lives right at the centre of where God is working.
The Book of Proverbs in the Bible, chapter 29, verse 18 gives the background to this Snapshot:
"If people can't see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; But when they attend to what He reveals, they are most blessed".
Snapshot 2 – Enabling Leadership
Imagine a community where everyone is . . .
. . . being inspired and led by Godly servant leaders who minister, not primarily to demonstrate their own gifts, but to develop the gifts of others.
The leaders in this church (and that's anybody in a position that influences others – not just the Elders), although accomplishing a great deal, are not ‘burning themselves out for God’. Their motto is, ‘Don’t work harder – work smarter’. There is a leadership training track constantly running where new enabling style leaders are continually being equipped. This is a people empowering community and leaders at all levels aim to ‘hand on the baton’. Many churches, when asked ‘What is the fruit of an apple tree?’ will answer ‘Apples’. This church answers ‘Another apple tree’ or perhaps even ‘An orchard’.
The Bible verses in Paul's Letter to the Ephesians, chapter 4, verses 11 and 12 and also the Second Letter to Timothy, chapter 2, verse 2, give the background to this Snapshot:
"He handed out gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, and pastor-teacher to train Christians in skilled servant work, working within Christ's body, the church".
"Pass on what you heard from me - the whole congregation saying Amen! - to reliable leaders who are competent to teach others".
Snapshot 3 – Spiritual Growth
Imagine a community where everyone is . . .
. . . being matured to their full potential and released into productive service. All members are rejoicing in their dignity of being recognised and affirmed as ‘ministers’.
The enabling leaders in this community clearly see that their calling is to facilitate everyone to grow to their full potential in Christ. No one is left as a mere spectator. In such a community everyone becomes committed to growing and seeing everyone else grow in their Christ-likeness. There is a clear understanding that the goal of the maturing process is that everyone is ‘being conformed to the image of Christ’. They have set the church up as a ‘growth enabling environment’ to pro-actively foster a developing Christ-likeness in the individual’s lives. Everyone’s God given gifts and abilities are being developed and used to strengthen the church.
The Bible verses in Paul's Letter to the Ephesians, chapter 4, verse 1 and also the Letter to the Romans, chapter 8, verse 5, give the background to this Snapshot:
"In light of all this, here's what I want you to do . . . I want you to get out there and walk - better yet, run! - on the road God called you to travel. I don't want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don't want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere".
"Those who think they can do it on their own end up obsessed with measuring their own moral muscle but never get around to exercising it in real life. Those who trust God's action in them find that God's Spirit is in them - living and breathing God!"
Snapshot 4 – Bible based teaching at every level
Imagine a community where everyone is . . .
. . . being equipped to understand God’s liberating truth for themselves, and to live out these truths in such power that their lives cannot be explained naturally in terms of themselves, but only ‘supernaturally’ in terms of the risen indwelling Lord Jesus.
This is a community whose members (from youngest through to oldest) receive practical teaching from God’s Word that touches every area of their lives in a real and meaningful way.
The purpose of this teaching is not merely to educate, building ‘head’ knowledge, but to transform lives evidenced by people ‘living out’ what the Lord has revealed to them through His Word. As a result, people in this community develop a real hunger for God’s Word, yearning to know more and are taught to ‘feed themselves’.
The Bible verses in Paul's Second Letter to Timothy, chapter 3, verses 16 and 17, give the background to this Snapshot:
"Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another--showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us".
Snapshot 5 – Lifestyle Evangelism
Imagine a community where everyone is . . .
. . . so overflowing with the joy of God that they can’t keep it in! They are actively sharing the practical love of Jesus with the needy and regularly winning the lost.
In this church, ‘what you are in the world’ is more important than ‘what you are in the church’. This church has a definite ‘outward focus’ and members are regularly witnessing in the community. These Christians are in no way isolated.
In fact, there is a strong desire cultured in all members to become the ‘friend of sinners’. Members are equipped and encouraged to build friendship bridges with not-yet-converted people. New conversions are a regular occurrence around here. The church building and services are ‘seeker friendly’ and new visitors readily feel at home in the place.
This church has also tuned in to the social needs of the surrounding community and is held in the highest regard in the neighbourhood. Members are mobilised to minister into these social needs and are to be found regularly demonstrating the unconditional love of Christ, in practical ways, to those who live around them.
The Bible verse in the Paul's Letter to the Galations, chapter 5, verse 14, gives the background to this Snapshot:
"The entire law is summed up in a single command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself'."
Snapshot 6 – Caring Community
Imagine a community where everyone is . . .
. . . enveloped in the joy of a caring, inclusive community where everyone ‘belongs’, and God’s love is constantly being shown in a practical and supportive way to all, and especially those in the greatest need.
Research shows that most people leave churches primarily because of neglect, but not around this church. Here everyone has a real sense of ‘belonging’. Everyone has a safe place to share (perhaps small group) where they can unburden their hearts in confidence to other brothers and sisters and know that they are heard and helped. These are communities of honest deep relationships marked by sacrificial love.
The Bible verse in Paul's Letter to the Ephesians, chapter 4, verse 32, gives the background to this Snapshot:
"Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you".
Snapshot 7 – Inspiring Worship
Imagine a community where everyone is . . .
. . . committed to the primary drive of loving and enjoying God, and expressing His glory in ever increasing measure. Worship is not just a song – it’s a lifestyle of commitment, no matter what.
This is a community whose members are so aware of God’s love and mercy towards each of them personally, especially when they did not deserve it, that their response is to ‘present their bodies as living sacrifices’.
Their primary desire is to ‘love God and enjoy Him forever’. They are enjoying God and there is much laughter about this church and their joy is contagious! Worship for them is much deeper than the enthusiastic participation in praise. It is their life message.
The Bible verses in Paul's Letter to the Romans,chapter 12, verse 1, gives the background to this Snapshot:
"So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life - your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life - and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him".
So, there you have it. But there's more! The good news is that, whether you've been a saint or a sinner so far (yes really - saint or sinner, none of us are perfect!), you'll find a fantastic welcome at NewSong!
You'll find genuine, open, friendly people with no gossiping and no judgemental attitudes; free coffee waiting for you when you walk through the door; wonderful, contemporary music, drama, multi-media and creative arts, and above all a relevant message that will have an impact on your life today.
NewSong is what you've been waiting for -
A new kind of church -
A church for people who "don't normally go to church"!
If NewSong Community Church sounds as if it might fill a 'hole' in your life just fill in the form below and presss "Send". We'll be in touch shortly. You only need give your first name and your preferred method of contact.
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All Bible quotes are taken from The Message version of the Bible. | 