The following is a transcript of the relevant portions of a brochure we give to new visitors to our church:
MEMBERSHIP
The Need
In order to implement the principles of accountability, commitment and discipline as defined in the New Testament and practiced in the early churches, we acknowledge the need for formal church membership.
Membership & Ministry
All leadership positions are restricted to members. Adherents who are in agreement with our statement of faith and constitution are welcome and encouraged to become involved in non-leadership ministry positions.
Membership & Baptism
We see baptism as an initial step of obedience for a believer upon conversion. Baptism is therefore a requirement for membership. We believe that the New Testament calls believers to be baptized by immersion. Though membership is required for those who teach and lead in the church, it is not a requirement for fellowship or involvement at Heritage.
LEADERSHIP
Heritage is an elder-led church. The Pastors and non-staff elders are collectively responsible for leading, shepherding, and overseeing the congregation.
Currently, our Board of Elders consists of:
Pastor Sean
Paul Leaker (Chair)
Gary Star
Stephen Veldhuis
Our deacons care for our building and financial policies. At present, Peter Lemmond is our deacon.
AFFILIATION
Heritage is a member of the Fellowship of Evangelical Baptist Churches in Canada, a fellowship of over 550 congregations.
LOCATION
Heritage is conveniently located on a seven-acre property overlooking Garner Road West (Hwy 53 West) in Ancaster, between Hamilton Drive and Shaver Road. There is ample parking, including handicap spaces. The building is wheelchair accessible through the main doors.
OUR MISSION
Heritage FBC seeks to be used of God to bring individuals to saving faith and maturity in Jesus Christ. (Matthew 28:18-20)
OUR VISION
"Loving Christ and our neighbours, as a community.”
Worship Service
Our Sunday worship begins 10 a.m. and ordinarily includes prayer, Scripture reading, singing, and a preaching verse by verse from a passage in God's Word. After the service, we encourage everyone to stay for coffee and conversation.
Our church has communion monthly, typically on the last Sunday of the month. As well, we have a church lunch the 3rd Sunday of each month.
A nursery is provided during the service and Learning Centre (our Sunday School) is available for younger children, who exit before the sermon.
MINISTRY GOALS
The Essence of Our Existence
We want Heritage to be a church that is:
- God-Glorifying (Philippians 2:11)
- Christ-centred (Hebrews 12:1)
- Spirit-empowered (Ephesians 5:18)
- Bible-based (Acts 17:11)
- Undergirded with Prayer (2 Chronicles 7:14)
- Culturally relevant (1 Corinthians 9:19- 23)
We stress the importance of living a Christ-centered life. Our services and ministries endeavor always to focus our attention on Him and His Word.
The Bible - Inspired, Authoritative & Without Error
We believe that the Bible is the Word of God. It is the final authority for life and practice. With our Lord, we affirm that "Scripture cannot be broken" (John 10:35). We study it in order to understand it correctly, apply it to our lives and live out its teachings.
Unity Within Diversity
Often Christians confuse the biblical goal of conformity to Christ with conformity to each other. We seek to encourage unity in Christ by accepting that others may have different points of view.
OUTREACH/MISSIONS
God has called believers to be salt and light in their community by fulfilling "The Great Commission” (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15). Everyone who attends Heritage is challenged to participate in Christ’s call to evangelize the world.
Outreach
We assist Hughson St. Baptist Church, Hamilton in their outreach to families in need. We seek to have a consistent outreach in our community through various activities.
Missions
Heritage assists in the support of nine full-time missionaries.
PEOPLE-BASED MINISTRIES
Our Priority
We believe our motto ‘People who Care’ expresses our approach to the Christian life and ministry. Our emphasis is on people, not on programming. Instead of trying to make people fit into programs, we endeavour to design programs to fit people.
Family Emphasis
Time has become one of a family’s most precious commodities. Thus, we seek to guard that precious time by starting new programs only when they will enhance family life.
CHILDRENS’ MINISTRIES
Nursery
Our experienced caregivers provide a loving atmosphere for children up to 30 months old.
Learning Centre
Our Learning Centre (Sunday School) cares for children through grade six during our Worship Service. Each teacher is dedicated to communicating Jesus’ love to the children in an enjoyable environment and to involving them in an active way in the lessons. The Bible is the basis of each lesson. The activities both reinforce the lessons and help the children to apply them to their lives.
SMALL GROUPS
Why Attend a Small Group?
Prayer, sharing fellowship, true accountability and pastoral care are all part of our small group ministry. We learn to carry one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2), encourage one another (1 Thessalonians 4:18), and use our spiritual gifts.
Who May Attend a Small Group?
All adults are welcome. Some groups make allowances for children to attend.
WORSHIP
Worship that is meaningful to God springs from the heart. Worship is "all that I am, responding to all that He is.” Worship is meaningless if the heart is not involved (Isaiah 29:13).
Variety in Worship
The Bible describes how God’s people worshiped Him. Their inner worship was demonstrated in many ways (Psalm 95:6). They sang, they played musical instruments (Psalm 150) and they raised their hands to God in both private and public times of worship (Psalm 28:2; 134:2).
Our Practice
We believe that corporate, as well as private worship, is a priority for believers. Corporate worship at Heritage will be sometimes joyful and celebratory and at other times sombre and reflective. Our objective in planning our services is to draw everyone into a meaningful time of focusing on God and God alone.
