Do you have a question? Do we have the answer?
This is where we attempt to answer your questions, if
it's not here, please mail us, and ask away.
What is a cell group?
These are small groups (up to 12
people) within the church which meet in different homes. They give a better
chance for people to get to know and support each other than the bigger Sunday
gatherings and the friendships formed are very important.
The goal of the
groups is for the members to grow spiritually and for the groups to grow in
numbers as we invite new people along.
The meetings usually incorporate four
'W's:
- Welcome - some kind of fun activity to get everyone ready to get involved.
- Worship - time spent focusing on God and realising His presence with us.
- Word - together we look at a passage from the Bible and see how we can apply its truths to our everyday lives.
- Witness - time spent praying for friends and family and planning for events to involve other people.
Plus of course the inevitable cup of tea or coffee!
Why should I go to one?
We all need to really connect
with people, not just be part of a big crowd, and being in a small group makes
this possible. It's like the difference between nodding to people on the street
and popping into our neighbours for a cup of tea. We get to know each other, and
so help each other to be real in our prayer, our plans and our service of
others. Everyone who's part of these groups talks about how much they have
helped them to grow.
Do I need to call someone about coming?
You can contact
one of the group leaders, or whoever has invited you. You'll always be made
welcome and not pressurised to take part or do anything you don't want to do. We
know it can be a little strange going to someone else's house at first, but you
should feel at home before too long.
Do I have to go to your church?
Not at all. Our aim is to
proclaim Jesus, not one particular church or denomination. We don't believe
we're the only true church, just part of the Body of Christ in Arklow. If we can
help bring you closer to Him, that's great. If you want to keep following Him as
part of Bridge, that's great, too!
What's the difference between this church and others?
Our
beliefs are based on the Bible and would agree with many other churches.
Probably what makes us different is the style of our get-togethers: informal,
family-friendly and lively. We said when we started that we wanted to 'Worship
together, learn together and have fun together.' We still believe that's a good
starting point.
Is it OK just to come and check it out?
Yes, of course.
Visitors will always be made welcome and we'd be happy to answer any questions
you have. No strings attached.
What happens at a Sunday meeting?
Normally we start with
a time of worship, led by our music team. This is to focus on God, praising Him
for who He is and what He has done, and to draw close to Him in worship. We like
to be energetic in expressing our praise to him. If they do it at Croke Park,
why shouldn't we raise our voices and our arms to God?
Following this, there
may be some announcements about coming activities and events.
Most weeks at
this point, the children up to age 13 go out to three separate groups for their
own activities. The adults and older teens stay in the main room for a talk
based on the Bible and how to apply it practically to everyday life. You can
listen to or download these talks on this website.
There may be times of
prayer during the meeting and different people will contribute.
We share the
Lord's Supper about once a month and everyone who loves the Lord Jesus is
welcome to participate.
Every seventh week we have an 'All-Age' meeting where
everyone stays together and the worship, prayer and teaching are geared to every
age group. These are usually quite interactive.
What do you believe?
We believe:
There is one God, who
is eternal, expressed in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This God
created everything and keeps it all going.
The Old and New Testaments are
God's written Word and are to be trusted to show us what to believe and how to
live.
All people are equal, created in God's image to care for the world and
live in love and holiness. However, we are all affected by universal sinfulness
and subject to God's anger and punishment.
Jesus Christ, God the Son, was
born a human by the virgin Mary and lived a fully human life, but without sin.
His teaching and example are the model for all people to follow.
In taking
the punishment we deserve on the Cross, Jesus subsituted for us and opened up
the only way for us to be reconciled with the Father. When He rose from the
grave, Jesus gave us hope for eternal life. He lives today as our representative
in heaven and the only Saviour of all mankind.
The only way to have our sins
forgiven and to escape punishment is to receive the grace of God through faith
in Jesus Christ. Those who turn away from their sin and trust in His work on the
Cross are given new spiritual birth by the Holy Spirit and receive eternal
life.
The Holy Spirit leads people to repentance, uniting them with Christ.
He lives in believers to bring the Father's presence, to change us from the
inside out, to help us to share Christ with others, to give us power and gifts
to serve God.
The church, local and world-wide, consists of everyone who has
been given life by the Spirit. It is Christ's body on earth and is called to
worship God and to proclaim and demonstrate the good news of His Kingdom, making
disciples of all peoples.
All believers have a role in the church and act as
priests, mediating between God and others in prayer and service, in the power of
the Holy Spirit. Some are called to the ministries outlined in the New
Testament.
Baptism of believers by immersion in water is the outward sign of
their new birth and should be carried out as soon as possible after trusting in
Christ.
Jesus commanded his followers to celebrate the Lord's Supper to
remember His death and look forward to His return.
Jesus will come back to
earth a second time in power and glory to fully establish His reign, to raise
all the dead to life for judgement, granting eternal life to those who have
trusted in Him and banishing those who haven't to eternal condemnation. He will
establish a new heaven and earth.
A fuller statement of faith is available here.
What is a Christian?
Someone who has
made a conscious, personal decision to trust Christ, turning away from
a self-centred life and giving the control of their lives over to God. It's not based
on birth, infant baptism or church membership, it's a gracious gift of God that is open
to everyone who believes the good news as explained in the Word of God.
Are you the same as the Protestant/Catholic church?
We
would have some major and some minor differences in belief with these churches.
(See :What do you believe?) Probably what you'd notice first of all is the style
of our meetings, but these are based on the Bible truth that salvation is a free
gift of God and we can't earn it by our good service or by any kind of
sacrifice. Although we do have leaders, there is no clergy and no heirarchy.
How do I find you?
Contact us through the site or come to Moneylands Farm Leisure Centre for 10.45 on a Sunday morning.
Who can come to your church?
Anyone who wants to and who
will respect what is going on there.
Men's Group
There
is a get-together specifically for men every six weeks. This may involve a Bible
study and prayer or an activity and a meal. Contact: Christophe Borel
Prayer
Gatherings
Members of Bridge Christian Community meet to pray at
different times during the week in twos, threes or larger groups. If you would
like us to pray for you, please send in a prayer request, or if you would like
to meet to pray, contact:
Child Protection
Bridge Christian Community has a full
child protection policy in place.