Our Story
What is important to us?
We understand that looking for a new church community is a difficult and sometimes stressful process. In order to help you know a little more about us before you visit on a Sunday we have included a list of things that are important to us as a community. There are a variety of ways in which these areas are outworked and experienced and we certainly haven’t perfected them, nevertheless, we are endeavouring to reflect these core qualities of what it means to be God’s people.
The Mission of God – We are seeking to understand and identify the mission of God in both our local and global community. We believe that everything we undertake as a community is an expression of God’s mission; our action in the present to alleviate poverty, suffering and evil is a reflection of God’s Kingdom. As such we try as best we can to live and act ethically toward all of God’s creation.
Scripture – Scripture is an important part of our community and shapes our faith and practice. We understand scripture as the ‘living Word’ of God through which God is revealing himself. Through preaching and teaching, and personal reflection on scripture we hope to better understand and relate to God.Prayer – Seeking to understand the rhythm of God’s grace in our lives is encouraged through personal prayer and spirituality. We provide people with resources and opportunities that will help you in your growth as a human being.
Community - The common life of God’s people is the life of Christ expressed in our action toward the other. Although our church is made up of people from different ages and backgrounds we are seeking to always live as the family of God’s people as a reflection of God’s relationship with us.Church Practices
At Happy Valley Church of Christ we practice the following:
- Baptism by immersion of people who are old enough to make this commitment for themselves.
- Weekly sharing of communion, a reflective time in our service where we partake in a simple meal (usually bread and grape juice) to remember the death of Jesus. Communion is is open to anyone who wishes to participate.
- The voluntary participation of church members in the leading of our services, including: music, singing, praying, Bible reading, and leading communion
Church Membership
Church membership is open to any person who is 16 years of age or older, and any of the following:
- Is baptised in the church.
- Has transferred from another Christian church where they were a member.
- At the discretion of the Elders