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We do not have an official membership list, nevertheless we recognise the difference between those who attend occasional meetings and those who identify with and fully support the life and work of the church. Therefore, once an individual or family wishes to join YCC we encourage them to meet with an Elder, affirm our basic beliefs and practices and commit themselves to joining a small group (where possible) and to commit themselves to using their gifts and abilities in the life of the church by getting involved in the work which God has called us to. The following Biblical responsibilities should be prayerfully considered by all who wish to be identified with our church family.
Worship is our highest calling as Christians. Meeting together as a church family to worship God is our highest priority. We share Communion every week, in which we remember the death of the Lord Jesus and celebrate his risen life among us. All who know and love him are strongly encouraged to join us and participate in this open time of worship. Opportunities for worship will also arise in the other services we hold, through involvement in the life of the church and by using our gifts and abilities to serve God in our everyday lives (Psalm 96:6; Rom. 12:1-2).
Apart from personal prayer we strongly encourage all to meet up and pray with others, e.g. in prayer-triplets, in housegroups and in prayer meetings (see below). We also organise special prayer weeks and prayer days as well as take part in events of this kind organised by other churches (Eph. 6:18, 1 Thess. 5:17).
God is totally holy in all he does and he calls us to display his character in our everyday lives (Lev. 19:2; 1 Pet. 1:15). As Christians we are aware that what we know of God is on display to the world around us, in the way we live. We try to be above reproach in our conduct and relationships. God has given us his Holy Spirit to equip us fully and it is our duty to be filled daily with his presence and power (Eph. 5:18); and to grow to be more and more like Christ (Eph. 4:15).
Since the church is described as a body (1 Cor. 12:12-31), then once we are Christians we all form part of that body. As that body, together, we can all help and support one another. This helps us fulfil our other objectives, such as Worship and Prayer. The local church provides a framework of leadership to enable and encourage that mutual support.
We believe that, within the local church, God appoints some to be Elders. Their primary responsibilities are to lead and be "shepherds" (Pastors) of God's people. Whilst we employ a full-time worker in a Pastoral role, we recognise all our Elders to be Pastors. As they seek to lead the church as servants, we believe it is the duty of all who belong to YCC to pray for, support and submit to them (Heb. 13:17; 1 Tim. 5:17). There is also the wider leadership of the task groups within the church – comprising those members who support the Elders in the practical running of the various church activities.
We believe that God still heals today. The Elders are available, if requested, to pray with any individuals who have specific needs, either in their homes or after a service.
It is also clear that God gives each of us gifts and abilities for the benefit of everyone in the church (Eph. 4:11-13; 1 Cor. 12:4-11). Therefore it is our responsibility to serve one another, discover the ways God has gifted us and fulfil our role in and through YCC. There are many areas of work and ministry to get involved in – all of which are important.
The Bible exhorts us clearly to give of our time, abilities, goods and wealth in response to all that God has done for us and given us in Jesus Christ. We recognise the Bible encourages us to give in accordance with our income. We suggest that people should consider the Old Testament principle of tithing as a guideline (Mal. 3:10-11; 1 Cor. 16:1-3; 2 Cor. 9:6-15).
As Christians we have a responsibility to share in the great commission of making Jesus known and encouraging others to grow as disciples (Matt. 28:18-20). YCC fulfills this in part by the Outreach programmes and events mentioned below, but we all have an individual responsibility to witness to those we know and invite them to appropriate events.
We also support various missionaries and mission organisations, both in the UK and overseas. Some Christians find God directing them to be a part of such missionary work. As a church we have a responsibility to test this calling and, where appropriate, to support it with prayer and giving.
Baptism is expected of every believer. We baptise (by total immersion) only those who have come to personal faith in Jesus Christ. It is a significant sign that such a person has turned from a way of life without God and has entered into a new, living relationship with him. Anyone wishing to be baptised should approach an Elder to discuss the matter and be willing to undergo a basic discipleship class.
We do not practice Infant Baptism, but Christian parents desiring to dedicate their children to God publicly should approach an Elder to arrange a suitable occasion. Such an opportunity gives the church fellowship a chance to pray for the child and express their support. It also gives the parents the chance to express their desire to bring up the child in the Christian faith.
The two congregations differ in the format of their Sunday services, although they follow similar guidelines in regard to content. Worship and Communion is a separate service in Osbaldwick, whereas it is a part of a single Sunday morning service in Tang Hall.
The purpose of this 45-minute service is to worship God and share communion together. The style of service is ‘open’ – it is not led from the front and everyone is free to participate. All who know Jesus as their Saviour are free to take communion. Coffee and tea are served after this service, before the start of the Family Service.
The Family Service has these aims: together, to create a friendly, welcoming and non-threatening environment where people are open to God; to make God known through practical Bible teaching; and to encourage a greater commitment to following Jesus. The style of the service is relaxed and informal, intended to make those not used to being at church feel at home. The service is divided into two main parts. The first half-hour is "all-age" and includes items aimed specifically at children. Half-way through the service the children leave for Kidzone classes while the adults remain for the next half-hour, to hear a talk on a set part of the Scripture.
The service is 90 minutes long. Children take part in it during its early stages, before they leave for their own Sunday Club classes. The leaders of each service are encouraged to use the format flexibly to meet the particular requirements of their set theme. The respective proportions of time given to singing, open-style Communion and a Bible-teaching talk therefore vary from week to week. The order of service varies too, with the talk following the open Communion or the other way round. Occasionally, the service is planned so that children are present at the Communion. At the end of the formal service, people are encouraged to stay on for a while, to pray with an Elder or in small groups and/or to enjoy fellowship over a cup of coffee or tea.
The Evening Service is a joint service for both congregations, providing another opportunity for corporate worship and in-depth Bible teaching. It takes place on most Sundays over the year, in three ten-week terms.
Whilst prayer is a vital part of all our meetings we have a number of regular meetings dedicated to prayer: a morning meeting for the whole church at St George's Methodist Church, on the first Saturday of each month; lunchtime prayer meeting at the church office, on the third Wednesday of each month; Youth Group prayer meeting at the church office, each Wednesday during school terms; United Church meeting at various venues in Tang Hall on Thursday mornings; and prayer meetings dedicated to particular themes such as missionary support, Tang Hall community and youth holiday camps.
...we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. (2 Thes. 1:11)
These are small Bible study groups in people’s homes with the aim of encouraging one another in our walk with God and applying the Bible to our everyday lives.
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the day approaching (Heb. 10:25).
We encourage all who join us to share their faith and make God known to those who do not know him yet. We take opportunities that arise in our own individual circumstances, but the church also puts a lot of emphasis on creating such opportunities on a regular basis, in its corporate outreach activities. We serve the local community through a fortnightly Lunch Club, a weekly Parents and Toddlers, the weekly Ignite for youth, the weekly BOING for children, through taking part in a local football league, regular visiting in nursing homes and prisons, and through organising occasional community parties for parents and children. We also run Alpha programmes jointly with other local churches (Anglican and Methodist at present) and members of our church are active in York-wide youth outreach organised by YoYo and YCYH.
