What We’re About

We want to see people transformed by the love of God, becoming fully devoted followers of Jesus who are grounded in his truth and empowered by his Spirit for the sake of his kingdom.

God’s love for us transforms the way we understand our past, relate to others in the present, and hope for the future. We want to participate with God in the amazing ways he is already loving people, including the vulnerable, the marginalised, and those seeking truth.

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us. (Ephesians 5:1-2)

We know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. (1 John 4:16)

Jesus didn’t merely provide instructions about how to live, what to believe, and where to find life - he is the way, the truth and the life. He desires for us to grow and flourish as disciples by following him as he continues to lead us.

Go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. (Matthew 28:19-20)

He said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’ (John 8:12)

Scripture reveals how God’s redemption plan for broken humanity was fulfilled in Jesus, who saved us through his work on the cross. Our story and the story we tell others must be grounded in this good news, which is the foundation of all we are, believe, and do.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe. (1 Thessalonians 2:13)

The Holy Spirit speaks to us and guides us, does signs and wonders in and through us, and draws us closer together. The true fruitfulness we desire in our lives comes from the Spirit who dwells in us.

My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power. (1 Corinthians 2:4-5)

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23)

Jesus came proclaiming the kingdom - his expanding rule and reign through the earth - and we participate with him as he establishes his reign in governments, organizations, communities, families, and people far from him.

Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. ‘The time has come,’ he said. ‘The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!’ (Mark 1:14-15)

This, then, is how you should pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:9-10)

What We Value

What We’re About is expressed in What We Value: the long-term growth of relationships in community where lives are transformed by the love of God.

Our growth as followers of Jesus primarily happens in community with others over time - through prayer, worship, study, serving, and sharing our lives.

And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another. (Hebrews 10:24-25)

Those far from Jesus experience the transforming love of God when we open our lives to them and welcome them as family.

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)

God responds to his people in powerful ways – speaking to them and answering their prayers - when they seek him together and pray for one another.

Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you ill? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. (James 5:13-16)

We desire to worship God with our entire lives: our minds, bodies, time, talents, and resources. This also means expressing an authentic and intimate love of Jesus through our praise.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1-2)

Be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 5:18-20)

We celebrate the variety of gifts God gives to different people to serve the church - including our children and youth, and adults of all ages - and continue to engage with God as he speaks to us and heals us through ordinary people empowered by his Spirit.

In our compassion ministries to the marginalised and vulnerable, we desire to create a culture where the invisible barrier between the “server” and “served” is reduced. We are friends, we are blessed by each another, and we serve alongside one other.

There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28)

Also 1 Corinthians 12:21-23 and 1 Corinthians 1:27-29

We are proud members of the global Vineyard movement and Vineyard Churches UK & Ireland. We desire to build relationships and partner in ministry with churches and organisations in Bognor, across the UK, and globally.

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptised by one Spirit so as to form one body… and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. And so the body is not made up of one part but of many. (1 Corinthians 12:12-14)

What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe – as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labour. For we are fellow workers in God’s service. (1 Corinthians 3:5-9)

Statement of Faith

We adhere to the Vineyard Churches UK & Ireland Statement of Faith and are members of Evangelical Alliance.