Duncan Road Church

What is a Church?

Today the word 'church' it often associated with a building, but the word used for Church throughout the New Testament is the Greek word 'ecclesia' this word never refers to a building but to a group of people.

Duncan Road Church might not be a traditional Church building, but according to the Bible the Christians who meet in this building are a local 'Church' (Colossians 4:15, Philemon 2, l Corinthians 1:2).

What sort of Church is Duncan Road?

Churches can be described in many ways but essentially Duncan Road is:

Christian:

We are mainstream Christians and not a sect or cult.

Evangelical:

This means we are keen on sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. We have discovered that "in Him is life" (John 1:4) and that the good news for those who trust and follow him is that they can experience that life, "to the full" (John 10:10).

Independent:

There are thousands of Churches similar to Duncan Road throughout the United Kingdom and around the world, these groups may vary in style but basically try to keep to the simplicity of the very first churches.

We have no central administration but run our own local churches in accordance with the teachings of the New Testament. The leaders of Duncan Road Church are family people in full-time employment and our leadership pattern is based on the teaching of the New Testament. (1 Timothy 3 & Titus 1:5-9).

We don't have a full time vicar or minister, our Bible teaching is done by members from our own fellowship and other local Churches. (Romans 12:6-7, Ephesians 4:11).

Our funding comes from our own members free-will offerings. (2 Corinthians 9:6-15, 1 Corinthians 16: 1-2).

Whilst we are independent we are still very happy to work together with other churches in spreading the good news of Jesus Christ in our area. (John 17.20-26, 1 Corinthians 12).

Bible Believing:

The Bible is a unique book, inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 2:21) and from it we draw guidance, correction and inspiration. Most importantly the Bible introduces us to the Lord Jesus Christ.

We base what we believe on the Bible and call it the Word of God. We do not believe these teachings can be added to or taken away from, and we believe that the message of the Bible is as relevant today as it has ever been.

What are your main beliefs?

We share all the main beliefs of the historic Christian faith that are laid down in ancient Christian documents, for example the Apostles Creed.

Briefly these are:

God:

We believe:

• There is one true God, the maker of heaven and earth. (John 1:1-5, Acts 17:24-31).

• We believe in the Trinity, or as the Bible calls it "the Godhead". That is, a Godhead revealed in three persons; the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit and these three are one. (Colossians 2:9, Matthew 28:19, 2 Corinthians 13:14).

The Father:

We believe:

• He is the Father of all mankind. (Malachi 2:10, Deuteronomy 32:6).

• He is also revealed to us as someone who is Holy, Loving, Just, Forgiving and Good (Psalm 18:30, 1 John 3:1, Psalm 68:5, Romans 8:15, 1 John 1:9, Luke 15:11-31).

The Son:

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ:

• Was born of the Virgin Mary. (Luke 1:34, Matthew 1:18&20).

• Was a real human being. (John 1:14, 1 John 4:2).

• Was fully divine. (John 1:1, Hebrews 1:8).

• Lived a perfect, sinless life. (1 Peter 2:22, 1 John 3:5).

• Died a sacrificial death on a cross for the sins of the world. (2 Corinthians 5:18-21).

• Rose again bodily from the grave, defeating both death and Satan (1 Corinthians 15:3-8, & 15:54-57, 1 John 3:8).

• Ascended and returned to heaven (Luke 24:50-53, Acts 1:9, Hebrews 1:3).

• Will one-day return to judge the living and the dead. (John 14:1-4 & 5:25-29, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

The Holy Spirit:

We believe that the Holy Spirit is:

• The third member of the trinity.

• Is a person, not a force, or influence. (John 14:26, 16:13-14, Ephesians 4:30).

• Takes up residence in a person's life when they become a committed Christian. (i.e. converted or "born again" John 3:3, John 14:16-18).

• Helps us to understand the Bible. (John 14:26).

• Grants us the potential to live lives of peace, of power and of purpose. (Galatians 5:22-23, Ephesians 5:15-21).

Mankind:

• We believe every person is separated from God by a wrong attitude and by wrong behaviour, the Bible calls this sin (Romans 3:23, Isaiah 59:2).

Salvation:

• We believe that salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ, (Ephesians 2:8) and that means it cannot be earned by doing good works or penance or even by 'being religious'. Salvation is a gift from God (Romans 6:23).

What services do you hold?

For details click here.

Who can be a member of Duncan Road Church?

Anyone is welcome to attend our services, whoever you are or wherever you come from, but to become a member of the Church and not just an attendee, a person must satisfy the Elders that they hove genuinely taken Jesus Christ as their own personal Lord and Saviour.

Members are expected to have been baptised by immersion in water, (for an explanation of this click here.), they are also expected to be committed to the fellowship (for an explanation of this click here.).

Who are the Elders at Duncan Road Church?

The current leaders are:

• Martin Fielder
• Paul Donaghy
• Alistair McCann
• Gordon Curley

They would be happy to talk to you concerning:

• What we believe.
• How to have a personal faith in Jesus Christ.
• Baptism.
• Church membership.
• Church doctrine.

The elders are also willing to talk or pray with you should you have any particular needs.