Why leave a ‘church’?

101 5pm church update header

The question ‘Why leave a ‘church?’ may be a dangerous question to ask, especially on a church blog!

The reality is that all churches have people leave them – for both wise and unwise reasons. It is worth spending some time thinking about why one would take the step of leaving a ‘church’ and then further considering how to do that well. That said, I am hoping that no one reading this will in fact leave 5pm Church as a result!Trinity City 'Five by 5' Challenge - hand

In the previous two articles we have considered ‘What is ‘Church’?’ and then ‘What to expect of ‘Church’?‘ which as background should help establish that leaving a church should be thought about carefully – that is not a decision that should be made hastily or prayerlessly. If ‘church’ is about God’s people gathering as a family in Christ around his Word, it should give some pause for thought to a person when deciding to stay or to go. Leaving means leaving a family and a place where God’s word should be key to their fellowship.

Changing churches or leaving church altogether is no small thing.

Continue reading →

What to expect of ‘Church’?

101 5pm church update header

The beginning of the year is often the time when people check out church (‘It is a new year, thought I would give it a go’), join church (‘I have moved and want to make this my church’) or leave church (‘I am making a life change’).

As such, it is reasonable that one consider ‘What should I expect of ‘Church’?’.

In the last update Trinity City 'Five by 5' Challenge - handwe considered ‘What is Church?’ and suggested that church was a place for believers (whilst still open to not-yet believers) and a place where God’s people gathered as a family in Christ. Expectations of church then are important because they help a person decide whether this church is doing what it should be or not.

There are a couple of ways to arrive at an answer.

Continue reading →

What is ‘Church’?

101 5pm church update header

Christians do Church. Some more regularly than others!

Why on earth do we commit ourselves to regularly going to Church? To answer that, let’s first think theologically about ‘church’.

What is ‘Church’?Trinity City 'Five by 5' Challenge - hand

Presumable if we are to be members of church, we need to understand what Church is!

Very simply, Church is an assembly of God’s people.

Continue reading →

A Testimony – The Value of EPT’s (Evangelistic Prayer Teams)

From Paul J (at 5pm Church)

As workers we spend more time with work colleagues that just about anyone else in given week.  In many ways this is our biggest – time wise – and best opportunity to reach people with the Gospel.  Many Christian workers can get into a mindset where we think on the things of God on a Sunday and during a midweek Bible Study but find our faith and its outworkings are essentially on cruise control during the bulk of the daytime work week.  It’s important that we motivate and energize each other to share our faith.

Continue reading →

Testimony

Michelle

12469452_919196361468691_8373015596235349353_o

Michelle had never considered herself to be a particularly bad person, so why did she feel the need to repent?

‘For as long as I can remember, I have believed that the Bible tells the truth about who Jesus is. My parents were believers and our family went to church every week. My parents’ faith and lifestyle of ministry and service was always a household priority. My mum was unwell throughout much of my childhood, and her bed-based Bible reading, prayer life and unwavering faith was very noticeable to me. So too was my dad’s commitment to Mum and us children, and his trust in God despite Mum’s very difficult health circumstances.
Continue reading →