Belonging to a body

In the Bible the church is called the Body of Christ. This image helps us to understand what relationships in a church community should look like. We should be close to one another, like a family with strong relationships where everybody is needed, loved and sharing the same goals. Our love for each other is meant to be outstanding and selfless like God’s love for us. We are to be so close that another’s problem and sorrow becomes our problem and sorrow and their joy, our joy.

Sadly this kind of committed, loving relationship is not modeled in every church, but it is our goal at New Horizons. Therefore belonging to a church, or Christian community is so much more than going to a meeting on a Sunday or joining in with a church programme. Our bodies are connected and the parts implicitly rely on each other all of the time. The same is true of the body of Christ.

A Heart Connection

Sharing a “heart connection” is the phrase we use to describe the nature of the commitment and type of relationship we aim for in this community. The requirement for shared life goes way beyond just participation in meetings or services. God’s requirement is that we choose to get close enough to other people to be vulnerable, to give of ourself, our gifts and our time to God and to others.

In order to become an active, committed part of our church family and to move beyond just visiting or attending on a Sunday, you will need to find out what values, vision and emphasis we draw from the Bible, and agree to share them. We have to be in agreement with each other in order to walk and build together.

You will find many different churches within Coventry - each one special to God. Each one has its own distinctive characteristics and job to do. Together we represent the body of Christ in the city. In deciding to join New Horizons, our hope is that you recognise God’s placement of you in this community and that you resonate strongly with the direction the elders are leading this church in.