3.7 - importance of local church

• importance of a local church

  • sunday services (eucharist)
  • sacraments (baptism, marriage, confession)
  • services (marriage) and festivals
  • help learn more about god and grow love of god
  • sense of belonging to that church
• how do local churches help the local area?

  • local christian schools
  • social facilites (youth club, toddler groups)
  • support and advice for those experiencing difficulty
  • financial support
  • legal advice clinics
  • help poor and needy (food banks)
• the local church and ecumenism

  • commit to work together (ecumenism)
  • joint activities (social gatherings, services, discussion groups)
  • work for christian charities
  • help people in local area know about facilities of church
  • one church only = shared use of premisis
• how does the local church help individuals?

  • chance to worship
  • partake in sacraments
  • deepen faith through sermons, discussions and bible study groups
  • christian fellowship with other christians

  the church does this because it believes it is part of the body of christ and that it must welcome, nurture and provide spiritual sustenance for fellow members of christ's body