Who we are
We are a group of ordinary people living and working in North Dorset believing and trusting in an extraordinary God, who has changed our lives for the better and continues to be involved with each of us as individuals and as a community.
The church is a community of people who relate to one another, through their common love of Jesus. It is not a building or an organisation. The reasons for GCC existing are not unique and could apply to any and every local church.
Aims
We aim to be:
- A Bible-believing, charismissional community with God at the centre, where individuals have a sense of belonging and are united and confident in their own identity and the life we stand for.
- Functioning as “salt and light” in the local and wider communities, standing for justice, compassion and acceptance of individuals who are both inside and outside the church.
- Recognised by the local community as being where life is to be found and where help is always available to those who need it, accepts that it is better off than it would be for having the church in its midst and values this even amongst those who do not share our world view.
Belong, Believe, Be Changed™
Many people believe that they have to change their behaviour and be good enough before they can come to the church and look for God. They mistakenly believe that somehow they might be able to do enough good things or punish themselves enough to be accepted.
This notion that you can change yourself enough, believe in God and belong to the church is the wrong way round. You could never hope to be “good enough” to approach God so, because he loves you, he has made a way, through faith in Jesus, for you to come to him just as you are. There is no “good behaviour” or “standard of holiness” that you have to reach before you can come to know God.
At GCC we hold to the principle of belonging before you believe. That is to say we want you to feel accepted and at home with us, no matter how good or bad you consider yourself to be, whilst you explore what it means to become a born-again Christian and the commitment to God and to each other involved in this. Once you truly put your trust in Jesus as your Saviour and Lord, you can rely on His power to help you to change inside.
Team
We believe that God brings individuals together in his local church and that he has a purpose for us all. Therefore we work as a team of partners, each partner having their own unique contribution to make towards fulfilling the vision we have for GCC.
Click here to find out who looks after the different areas in which GCC is involved.
Partnership
Being a partner with us at GCC is open to any adult who believes that they are called by God to be part of our family in Gillingham. You must be a born-again Christian, trusting in Jesus as your Saviour and Lord, and have been baptised in the understanding of this, preferably by immersion.
You can find out more about being a partner at GCC by reading our Becoming a Partner booklet or speaking to one of the church leaders.
'Belong, Believe, Be Changed' is a trademark of Gillingham Community Church.