Our Beliefs
What we believe
As a member of the Baptist Union UK, we adhere to the core beliefs that shape our understanding of God, inform our practices, and guide our mission.
01. The Authority of the Scriptures
We believe that the Bible is the inspired and authoritative Word of God. It reveals God’s character, His redemptive plan, and provides timeless wisdom for our lives. We study and apply its teachings to deepen our relationship with God and to discern His will for us individually and as a church.
02. Salvation through Jesus Christ
We believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, our Saviour, and Lord. Through His life, sacrificial death, and resurrection, we find forgiveness, reconciliation with God, and the hope of eternal life. We respond to God’s love and grace by repenting of our sins, placing our faith in Jesus, and striving to live transformed lives.
03. The Holy Spirit’s Empowering Presence
We believe in the Holy Spirit’s ongoing work in our lives and in the life of the church. The Holy Spirit guides, comforts, convicts, and empowers us to live as authentic disciples of Jesus Christ. We seek to be open to the Spirit’s leading, embracing His gifts and allowing Him to transform us from the inside out.
04. Believer’s Baptism and Communion
We believe in believer’s baptism, a public declaration of faith in Jesus Christ. Baptism by immersion symbolizes our identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection and our commitment to follow Him. We also observe communion, remembering Christ’s sacrificial love, His atoning work, and our unity as His body, the Church.
05. The Priesthood of All Believers
We believe in the priesthood of all believers. Each person, regardless of age, gender, or background, has a unique role and gifting in God’s kingdom. We encourage and empower every member of our church family to use their God-given talents, passions, and resources to serve and minister to others.
06. The Church as a Community of Love and Mission
We believe that the Church is more than a building; it is a diverse and inclusive community of believers. As followers of Jesus, we are called to love God, love one another, and love our neighbours. We strive to foster authentic relationships, provide support, and serve those in need, both within our church and in our local and global communities.
07. The Great Commission and Kingdom Impact
We believe in fulfilling the Great Commission given by Jesus Christ. We are called to make disciples of all nations, sharing the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ and demonstrating God’s love through compassionate actions. We seek to be agents of transformation, partnering with God in bringing His kingdom values to our society.
These core beliefs form the foundation of our faith and shape our identity as a church. As we gather in worship, study God’s Word, serve others, and engage in mission, we invite you to join us on this exciting journey of faith. Together, let’s grow deeper in our relationship with God, build meaningful connections, and make a positive difference in our community and beyond.
What is Christianity?
Christianity is a vibrant and life-changing faith centred around the person of Jesus Christ. As Baptists, we hold certain beliefs that shape our understanding of Christianity and guide our relationship with God and others. Here are the key principles that define our faith:
God’s Love and Plan Christianity
teaches that there is one true and loving God who created the universe and everything in it. This God is personal, caring, and desires a relationship with each one of us. God’s plan is to restore our brokenness and bring us into a loving and eternal relationship with Him.
Jesus Christ, the Son of God
At the heart of Christianity is Jesus Christ. We believe that Jesus is the Son of God, who came to Earth as a human being to reveal God’s love and save humanity from sin. Jesus’ life, teachings, sacrificial death on the cross, and resurrection provide the way for us to be reconciled with God.
Salvation by Grace through Faith
Christianity teaches that salvation is a free gift from God, offered to us through His grace. It is not something we can earn or achieve through our own efforts. We receive this gift by placing our faith and trust in Jesus Christ, believing that He is the Son of God who died for our sins and rose again.
The Bible, God’s Word
As Baptists, we view the Bible as God’s Word and the ultimate authority for our faith and practice. The Bible reveals God’s character, His plan for humanity, and offers guidance for our lives. We study and cherish the Scriptures, seeking to apply its teachings to our daily walk with God.
Personal Relationship with God
Christianity emphasizes the importance of having a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. This relationship is built on love, trust, and ongoing communication through prayer, worship, and studying the Bible. Through this relationship, we experience God’s presence, guidance, and transformative power in our lives.
Baptism and Communion
Baptism and communion are important symbols in Christianity. Baptism, usually by immersion, signifies our identification with Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. It is an outward expression of our faith and commitment to follow Christ. Communion, also known as the Lord’s Supper or Eucharist, is a remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice and a celebration of our unity as the body of Christ.
Sharing God’s Love
Christianity is not just a personal faith; it calls us to love and serve others. Jesus taught us to love our neighbors as ourselves and to reach out to those in need. As Baptists, we are committed to sharing God’s love, compassion, and justice with our local community and the wider world. We strive to make a positive impact and bring hope to those around us.
Christianity offers a transformative journey of faith, hope, and love. It invites us to experience God’s forgiveness, embrace His love, and be transformed by His Spirit. Whether you are exploring Christianity for the first time or seeking to deepen your relationship with God, we invite you to join us on this exciting and fulfilling journey.
Membership
As a constituted Church we have an elected body of Trustees, Deacons, Elders and Pastors, and according to our constitution these roles can only formally be filled by those elected by the church membership – this is normally an annual event at the Church AGM held in March every year.
An application to become a Church Member is also voted upon in any of the 4 church meetings throughout the year. After the church meeting receives feedback from an informal chat with the applicant(s), the members present at that church meeting will vote on the application.
It is in a sense a formality, as a church member application usually follows a period of time of walking together with the church, and it is obvious that we are walking together, therefore membership would be a logical next step.
For more details please read our Membership Leaflet (takes about 5 mins) and chat with one of the leadership team.
Supporting LWBC
During the recent lock down period of the COVID-19 pandemic a number of people have asked if they can give to support the work of LWBC.
As a church you will not find us asking for money as we believe God will provide and is more than capable of prompting others to give when He needs to release resources for His church.
If however you would like to give, we have provided a PDF download here, and a WORD Doc download here which include our details and ways you could support LWBC inc Gift Aid details.
Giving Online
If you would like to give online please click the donate button below, this will take you to our PayPal account and a donation can be made with a few clicks – if you want to do a recurring donation there is a simple check box to enable this too.
or scan our QR Code
Considering what to give?
While there are a number of scriptures that talk about giving – we believe that amounts should never be the focus.
We believe giving is born from a heart attitude, and while a 10th or a tithe is mentioned in the bible, there are in fact 3 tithes, plus gifts and other giving that are mentioned.
A truthful observation with money is that most will live up to (or even just beyond) their income, so to manage our finances well, we can apply a very simple principal which can help us get our finances in check.
- We ‘give’ what we have decided to give to God first – before we do anything else, be this a tenth of our income (net or gross) – you cheerfully decide.
- We ‘save’ some of our income – there will always be something unexpected that will need an injection of cash at some point – be ready for it
- We ‘live’ with what is left and not put ourselves into un-managed debt… simples!
The reality is most live beyond what they have, nothing saved for things that break or emergencies, and as for giving to God… He can have any spare change I might have. Not only does this second model not work, it leads to a very stressful life, potentially always in debt with money ruling everything.
Whether we have a little or a lot, Paul teaches us to be content with all things… Give, Save, Live without financial burdens….and know the peace of God.
7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
