Author: Alastair Kendrew

Welcome Pack + Welcome

kia ora, welcome!

Dear friend,
We are absolutely convinced about church! We love being part of a growing, alive, friendly and caring group of people.
[Corps name] is that kind of church. We meet at 10am every Sunday, and we would like to invite you to join us. The services are relaxed and the themes applicable to our lives today.
This brochure outlines what we do as a church. We encourage everyone who is part of [Corps name] to get involved in church life – and we have something for everyone.

If you have any questions, please chat to any of our regular attenders, contact our church office [phone#] or check out our website [website address].
God bless you.
[Corps officer names (Rank)]

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Welcome Pack + Who’s Who

who’s who

[Corps name] is led by our Corps Officers (Pastors) [Corps officer’s names], who are supported by our Corps Council and Pastoral Care Council.
Meet some of our church leaders.

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Names
Corps Officers (Pastors)

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Name
Children’s Ministry Coordinator

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Name
Business Coordinator

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Name
Corps Sergeant Major

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Name
Youth Ministries Coordinator

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Name
Mission Coordinator

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Name
Discipleship Coordinator

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Name
Fellowship Coordinator

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Name
Worship Coordinator

Welcome Pack + Our Beliefs

our beliefs

We believe that all people need Jesus and as a church, we have found that faith in Him makes a difference in our everyday lives.
Our church is part of the international Salvation Army, which itself is part of the universal Christian Church. The Salvation Army’s message is based on the Bible and we follow mainstream Christian (Protestant) beliefs (see our doctrines over page).
The Salvation Army operates in more than 125 countries and is divided into territories for administrative purposes. We are part of the New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga territory. Our territory’s mission statement is ‘caring for people, transforming lives and reforming society, by God’s power.’
To help us achieve this mission, the territory has identified four areas of focus, known as our Territorial Strategic Mission Plan (TSMP) goals—to make disciples, increase soldiers, fight injustice and develop leaders.

Our church’s mission is to ‘care for people, transform lives and reform society, by God’s power’.

simplified doctrines of The Salvation Army*

1. God helped good men to speak and write what is in the Bible, so that from it we may learn the way God means us to live.
2. There is only one God, and He is altogether perfect in every way. He is the Creator, Preserver and Governor of all things. We should not worship anyone or anything else.
3. God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit are one God.
4. Jesus is both truly God and truly human: He has both God’s nature and our nature.
5. Our first parents by their disobedience, lost their sense of God’s favour, and came under the power of sin; and because of this we are all inclined to do wrong.
6. On the cross Jesus suffered and died for everyone, so that whoever wants to, may be saved.
7. To be saved we must be truly sorry for doing wrong and trust in Jesus; then the Holy Spirit will make us new people.
8. Salvation is a free gift from God. It is received when we believe in Jesus; and when we are saved we know it.
9. To keep good we must trust in Jesus to help us, and we must go on doing what He wants us to do.
10. Saved people are given the chance to be used by God to help Him. When they have given themselves to Him fully, they can be given power to serve Him, and be kept from sinning.
11. When our bodies die we ourselves go on living in a new and different way. At the end of time Jesus will be the judge of all people. Those who have chosen Him to be their Saviour will be happy to live with Him as their King forever. Those who have not done so will always be unhappy because they chose what separates them from all that is good and lovely.

* The formal version of these doctrines can be viewed at www.salvationarmy.org.nz/about-us/articles-of-faith.

doctrines of The Salvation Army

1. We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were given by inspiration of God and that they only constitute the Divine rule of Christian faith and practice.
2. We believe that there is only one God who is infinitely perfect, the Creator, Preserver, and Governor of all things, and who is the only proper object of religious worship.
3. We believe that there are three persons in the Godhead— the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, undivided in essence and co-equal in power and glory.
4. We believe that in the person of Jesus Christ the Divine and human natures are united, so that He is truly and properly God and truly and properly man.
5. We believe that our first parents were created in a state of innocency, but by their disobedience they lost their purity and happiness, and that in consequence of their fall all men have become sinners, totally depraved, and as such are justly exposed to the wrath of God.
6. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has by His suffering and death made an atonement for the whole world so that whosoever will may be saved.
7. We believe that repentance towards God, faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and regeneration by the Holy Spirit, are necessary to salvation.
8. We believe that we are justified by grace through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and that he that believeth hath the witness in himself.
9. We believe that continuance in a state of salvation depends upon continued obedient faith in Christ.
10. We believe that it is the privilege of all believers to be wholly sanctified, and that their whole spirit and soul and body may be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
11. We believe in the immortality of the soul; in the resurrection of the body; in the general judgement at the end of the world; in the eternal happiness of the righteous; and in the endless punishment of the wicked.

Welcome Pack + Church Services

church services

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Sunday at 10am
We hold church services every Sunday morning at 10am. These services are planned to be relevant, open, fun and welcoming to all people, and are followed by morning tea.
Kids Church
Children aged 2 to Year 8 at school are encouraged to participate in Kids Church (check out the kids page for more details) which runs during the morning service. There is also a crèche space available for parents with children under 2.
Sunday at 6pm
On the first Sunday of each month (except January), we hold an evening service at 6pm. These services include vibrant praise and worship, a challenging message and an opportunity for personal prayer and ministry.

Welcome Pack + Connect & Grow

connect & grow

Connect Lunch
If you are new to our church, we’d love you to come along to our quarterly Connect Lunch. You’ll get to meet some of our leaders, find out more about our church, plus meet other new people.
Life Groups
Life Groups are a great way to connect with others and build your faith in God. They’re usually made up of around 10 people who meet regularly to study the bible and enjoy fellowship together. Check out the noticeboard in the foyer to find the right group for you.
Men’s and Women’s Events
We host a range of events and groups for men and for women, including a craft group and annual adventure weekends away. Check out the newsletter or our website for details on upcoming events.

Alpha
If you are exploring faith, Alpha is the course for you. Run over seven weeks, it’s a practical introduction to Christianity and a great forum to raise all those questions you’d love to ask.
The Marriage Course
The Marriage Course is designed for any couple wishing to build a strong and lasting relationship. Over eight evenings, couples enjoy a candlelit dinner and talk about important issues that can get ignored in the rush of daily life. There is no group discussion and no requirement to disclose anything about your relationship to anyone else. This course runs twice a year.
Parenting Courses
The Parenting Courses are designed to equip those parenting or caring for their children/teenagers with long term strategies to build a healthy family life. We run courses concurrently over five weeks, one for parents/caregivers of primary school children and one for parents/caregivers of youth.

Welcome Pack + Children

children

Kids Church
Kids Church is for children aged two years old to year 8 at school and runs during the morning service. We teach the children Biblical truths as a series of monthly virtues, so as well as connecting with God, the children are expected to develop qualities like love, trust, contentment, wisdom and compassion.
The children also undertake a service project and enjoy a social event each term.
mainly music©
mainly music© is a very popular music and movement programme for pre-schoolers and their parents/caregivers. We hold two sessions on Tuesday mornings during school terms. There may be a waiting list. See our website for more information.
Junior Youth Group
Our junior youth group has monthly fun social events for children aged school year 7-8. Check out the newsletter or website for information on upcoming events.

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If you would like to know more about our children’s ministries, please contact [children’s ministry coordinator’s name and contact details].

Welcome Pack + Youth & 18+

youth

18+

Our youth ministry caters for High School aged youth (school years 9-13). We have a mixture of social and discipleship programmes and aim to provide a safe place where people can not only come to learn about God, but can also build friendships and journey through life’s ups and downs together.
Youth Group Bible Study
Every Tuesday, 7.30pm for High School aged youth. As well as studying the bible, we spend time serving our church and community in a variety of mission projects.
Youth Group
Youth Group runs bi-monthly on a Friday night and is a time to hang out, meet new people and build relationships. Check us out on Facebook for details about what’s coming up next!

Young Adults Ministry is for young adults aged 18 and over. We run a fortnightly Life Group as well as various social events through the year.
If you would like to know more about our youth or young adults groups, please contact [youth coordinator’s name and contact details].

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Welcome Pack + Community Service

community service

Social Assistance
Our social support team offers emotional support and advocacy for those who need it. We have an emergency food pantry on site and may be able to assist with furniture and clothing from our Family Store.
Family Store
Funds raised from sales in our Family Store support our other community services, but our store is much more than a means to make money. People in need can be provided with assistance and a number of people have re-entered the workforce through working as volunteers in the stop.

Community Meal
Our community meal is called offered every Wednesday from 6pm - 7pm. It’s a low-cost, nutritious meal for the whole family. Just $2 per person or $5 per family. You don’t need to book – just turn up.
Budgeting Service
Our professional Budgeting Service has qualified independent Christian budgeters available who provide financial advice in a safe, non-judgemental and accepting environment. There is an affordable fee per session. To make an appointment, please phone the church office.

Welcome Pack + Find Out More

find out more

Would you like to find out more?
> Arrange a meeting with [Corps Officer’s names]
> Contact our office, or better still, pop in for a coffee.
> Visit our website
> Read our weekly newsletter
Thank you for spending time reading all about us. We hope this has answered most of your questions and we look forward to seeing you again soon.
Next steps
1. Complete a Connection Card
2. Come to our Sunday Services
3. Attend a Connect Lunch
4. Join a Life Group
5. Come to a social event that suits you

Contact us

Office open hours
Monday to Friday, from 9.00am-4.30pm.
Address
[corps physical address]
[corps postal address]
Phone
[corps phone number]
Fax
[corps fax number]
Email
[corps email address]
Website
[corps web site address]

The Salvation Army [Corps name]