Church, Baptism and Communion

What Christians mean by “Church”

The word church can mean a building, a local congregation or the whole Christian community throughout the world.

At its deepest level, the Church is the people God has brought into relationship with himself through Jesus. Christians do not become part of this community because they are morally superior, but because they depend on the same grace.

Why Christians gather

Christians gather to worship the Triune God, hear the Bible, pray, receive teaching, encourage one another and serve people in need.

Church life helps Christians remember that faith is not only an individual opinion. They learn to love, forgive, practise justice and follow Jesus alongside other imperfect people.

What happens in a service

Services differ, but many include Bible readings, prayers, music, a sermon or talk and a blessing. Some follow a formal pattern; others are more informal.

Christian worship commonly praises the Father, remembers the saving work of Jesus and asks for the presence and help of the Holy Spirit. Visitors are normally free to observe and join in only where comfortable.

Baptism

Baptism uses water as a sign of washing, forgiveness, new life and belonging to Jesus and his Church. It points to being united with Jesus in his death and resurrection: the old life is left behind and a new life begins.

Some churches baptise babies and children, with parents and godparents making promises. Other churches baptise only people old enough to declare faith personally. Some pour or sprinkle water; others immerse the person fully.

Christian traditions differ over exactly how baptism relates to receiving grace, but all treat it as a central act connected with entry into Christian life. Baptism is not a good deed by which a person earns God’s favour.

Communion

Communion uses bread and wine, or sometimes non-alcoholic grape juice. It is also called the Eucharist, the Lord’s Supper or Mass.

It comes from Jesus’s final meal with his disciples. The bread and wine point to his body given and his blood shed for the forgiveness of sins. Communion proclaims that Christians live by what Jesus has done, not by their own worthiness.

It also celebrates the risen Jesus, the unity of Christians with him and with one another, and the future hope of life in God’s renewed creation.

Traditions differ in how they explain Christ’s presence in Communion and in who may receive it.

If you visit a church

You do not normally need to be a Christian to attend a church service. You can enter, sit wherever appropriate and observe quietly.

If Communion is offered and you are unsure whether to receive it, you may remain seated. In some churches you may go forward for a blessing. Instructions are often given during the service.

Different Christian traditions

Anglican, Catholic, Orthodox, Methodist, Baptist, Pentecostal and other churches share the central beliefs that there is one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit; that Jesus is God the Son; and that salvation comes through his death and resurrection.

They differ in worship, leadership and some areas of teaching and practice. A beginner does not need to understand every difference before visiting.

An imperfect community

Churches are made up of imperfect people and sometimes fail seriously. Some people have been harmed by churches, and that harm should not be denied or minimised.

A healthy church should be honest, accountable, safe, welcoming without pressure and centred on Jesus rather than on the power of a leader. Its life should increasingly display grace, truth, love and care for the vulnerable.