How to get involved with All Saints'
People join us at All Saints’ for all kinds of different reasons and we are delighted to welcome anyone and everyone no matter where they find themselves on their own personal spiritual journey.
Many people come because they want to find answers to life’s ultimate questions, to discover how they can begin to find a relationship with God for themselves, or for some other similar reason. We strongly encourage all those who are seekers, or who are finding their way back to a living faith after a period away from church, to join an Alpha course. This is a ten-week discussion-based course designed to help those who want to know more. It’s also an opportunity to meet others new to the church.
Others join the church as established Christians who are quite sure of their own personal faith. We suggest that there are four aspects to belonging to All Saints’.
Sunday worship
Joining together each Sunday with the rest of the family of God is a top priority for us. We are resourced and equipped by celebration style worship and inspirational teaching and through our fellowship with one another. Not only do we miss out if we are absent from the ‘family gathering’ but we also deny others the encouragement of our presence.
Joining a cell group
Our cell groups are the basic building blocks of the church’s life; just like the cells in our human bodies. These groups of 6 to 15 people meet weekly in members’ homes. Building close relationships with a small group of people makes it much easier to feel that we belong, not always an easy thing in a church of several hundred people. Cells provide the context in which we can grow in discipleship as we help one another to live faithful lives, where we can grow in confidence in using the gifts God has given us and also work together to reach our friends for Christ. Cell groups are outward-looking and always open to outsiders and newcomers.
Giving
Where and how we spend our money is one of the surest guides to what really matters to us. If we are serious about following Christ then we will want to give responsibly to supporting the work of His Kingdom. Out of gratitude for God’s generosity to us we will want to give generously to Him. This will mean different things for different people, though we do encourage those who have a regular income to follow the Biblical example of giving a tithe (ten per cent) to God’s work. The more money which is given to All Saints’, the more we are able to develop ministry in the local community and beyond.
Serving
Fundamental to our identity is the commitment to see everyone involved in service of one kind or another. As soon as people have been involved in the life of the church for a reasonable ‘settling in’ period, we are keen for them to find some area of Christian service either in the church or the community. Our SHAPE course is designed to help people find an area of ministry for which they have been particularly shaped by God. In addition there are many, often very practical, jobs which simply need to be done on Sundays and midweek. These provide opportunities for us all to serve one another. Staff members are always happy to talk through with you how and where you might fit in to the many ministries currently carried out through the life of the church.
