The 'church' isn't perfect!

Recently a crisis of confidence has enveloped the Anglican Church (Church of England) due to the very serious mis-deeds of some members in the past.  There is no place whatsoever in the Church for behaviour that causes people to suffer at the hands of those who should know better and brings organisations into disrepute.  Jesus Christ had harsh words for those who lead others into wrongdoing.  There are consequences for those who abuse their position!  We will all give an account of our actions when we meet the Lord in the next life.  Those who have trusted and followed Jesus will be welcomed as His friends - those who have ignored or rejected Him will still have to give an account of everything they did - before God Himself. 

“But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone hung around your neck".  (Mark 9:42 NLT)

We also need to consider what the church is, and what it is not.  It is not, by definition, a man-made organisation.  The true Church is the Body of Christ - the sum of all those who choose to follow Jesus Christ as their Saviour and allow themselves to be led by Him.  Neither the Anglican Church, the Catholic Church, Claremont Church nor any other organisation IS the Church.  Those organisations are places where Christians come together but they are not, in themselves, the Church - and, unfortunately, not everyone who is part of those organisations is necessarily a true Christ follower.  

Following Christ is a personal decision, not an organisational one.  You can't become a Christian by attending a course, completing on-line e-learning or passing an exam.  Although these can be helpful, accepting Christ is a very personal agreement between you and God Himself and it has eternal consequences! 

Christ expects His Body, the Church, to be an example to the world, showing how life can be if we follow Him and respect God's laws.  That is the call to every Christian today - are YOU willing to completely embrace the law of God and allow His Holy Spirit to lead you into the ways that He has chosen for you?  If we do, our lives start to change in many ways, because:

... the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! (Galatians 5:22-23 NLT)

You can't do it on your own - mankind without God simply cannot achieve those goals.  However, lives committed to Christ and inspired by the Holy Spirit will, without doubt, start to show those characteristics more and more.

If you are not already an active Christ-follower, born again by the Spirit of God, but that's what you really want - then please go to our page 'Peace with God - How can that be' and pray the prayer there, in complete honesty - and understanding that your life will change as the Spirit of Jesus Christ becomes part of your daily being.  If you do that, let us know and we will send you some free material which will help you to get started in this new life.

The Church (all Christians, everywhere) should be an example and a force for Good.  Jesus Christ Himself told those who follow Him: 

“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father."  (Matthew 5:14-16 NLT)

That doesn't leave much room in the Church for the type of godless behaviour that some people seem to think is acceptable in this day and age!

For those who may be concerned, Claremont Church has strict policies and procedures relating to the care and safeguarding of children and vulnerable people who may come into our sphere of influence.  We love young people and those who are in any way vulnerable and go out of our way to make them welcome in a safe and caring environment.