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A Congregational Church In the “congregational” tradition a church is a group of people who have covenanted together before God in the name of Jesus Christ. The church is governed by the “Church Meeting” - the gathered members meeting under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the Scriptures. For practical purposes the congregation deputises responsibilities to administrative officers such as Secretary and Treasurer together with a number of Deacons. In 1994 a number of work-groups, or working parties were established to take responsibility for various aspects of the life and work of the church. The pattern was revised in 2002 and a number of the work-groups were combined and new responsibilities added. The present work-groups are: Worship and Music Church Buildings Pastoral Communication Social / Cultural Charities Youth The church lays great stress on co-operating with churches of other traditions, and has been very supportive of inter-denominational work in the town. In 1992 it welcomed the proposal that a united service be held once a month for the nonconformists of the town. That led to a decision, two years later, that the Congregationalists, the Baptists and the Methodist Church would worship together every Sunday evening. The Presbyterians also join regularly in that pattern now. |
