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Why do we do as we do? Because, as a congregation of believing Christians, we hold that the services offered by the church should
only be taken up by those who are Christian themselves. It undermines the truth taught in the congregation if unbelievers
use the services that are set aside for believing Christians - this is no more that what many organisations do when they
reserve some services for members. We also believe that the
congregation is here for a specific purpose - which is to preach the Word of God and to share the wonderful gospel of salvation
in Jesus Christ, and Him alone. Those who are not members, or not even Christians, will find such truths very difficult
to be confronted with and so for their sake we do not wish to cause controversy at such sensitive and important moments in
people's lives. This congregation will, in normal circumstances, only offer baby or child Dedications,
Baptisms, Weddings or Funerals to regularly attending members of the congregation. There may be situations in which this does
not apply, but what we then offer is for those who share the Reformed Biblical faith that we hold. In all cases the minister
will retain the right to be guided by his Christian conscience, and no single decision of his should be regarded as setting
a precedent in these matters.
Our policy on Baptisms, Weddings & Funerals.
Our normal policy for all of these is that those requesting a
baptism, a wedding, or a funeral should be members of the congregation (see above for reasons). However, on
occasion this policy can be flexible to take into consideration the specific spiritual needs of those asking for such a service. Baptisms
always take place during Sunday morning church services - as entry into the visible church it would not be right for it to
take place hidden away at another time when the Christian community that gather here are not present. There is no cost for
a Baptism, though any donation to the congregation is always gratefully received. Baptisms both of infants of professing
Christian parents, and of unbaptised adults who wish to make a profession of faith are performed. Weddings normally
take place on Saturdays, although there can be some flexibility in this. There are costs for weddings, to cover the church
and the minister - we do not provide an organist and we expect couples to organise this themselves - though we have some telephone
numbers and contacts which they can use to do this. Weddings between two Christians are performed, but for Biblical reasons
we are reticent to perform weddings between "unequally yoked" couples where one is not a Christian - and will normally
not do so. Funeral services taken by our minister will have the normal costs associated with this - as organised
through the undertaker. Should the service be in church there will extra costs for non-members to cover the expenses of running
the building. The minister will not normally do funerals where there is no link between the congregation and the family, or
between the minister and the family. This is because of the tremendous amount of time organising and taking such a service
takes up. There is, however, always some flexibility in this policy to take account of local situations.
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What we do, we do to honour and give glory to God - and to to
suit the desires and whims of men. We may get this balance wrong on occasions, but we do so in sincerity that we seek to serve
God through His Son, Jesus Christ.
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