welcome to our Hamilton church community

As our name suggests, we’re big on growing in our connection with God and with each other. We were never meant to do this journey alone and while none of us are perfect (we are all frankly quite human!) we’re keen to create a friendly community where everyone is welcome. No matter where you are at or what you believe, we are looking forward to getting to know you more over food and drinks after the service…don’t be shy about sticking around!

To abide is to stay; to remain.

We are reminded that our primary calling is not to do stuff, it is to abide; to simply remain in God. It is only through abiding in God, staying connected to Him as the vine, that we can hope to produce any fruit. The branch doesn’t strive to produce fruit, it just remains connected to the vine and fruit happens.

“I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing"

John 15:5

What we Value here at Abide:

Jesus Christ and the cross

This is to be kept front and centre at all times—our CENTRAL focus.

The Bible has the final say

Yes we can be open to other sources of theology such as culture, reason and tradition, but we hold to Martin Luther’s Sola Scriptura—or Scripture alone as being our final authority.

The Holy Spirit—the Spirit brings new life

We want to give the Holy Spirit freedom to minister in and through us.

Prayer – prayer is how we connect with God

Prayer is consciously choosing to connect with God. We cannot abide in God without prayer.

People—every person is made in the image of God

therefore every person is an image bearer, no matter how broken that image is.

Welcome Genuine Community

We welcome everyone and seek genuine community with each other. Our goal is not to have anyone sitting by themselves after the service.

Hospitality

We show our love and esteem of people through hospitality.

What is our TELOS, our goal, our end:

Telos is an old word used by ancient philosophers of habit, and it means “our goal, our end.” This goal or end is a picture of flourishing that our hearts have caught, which drives us to do many of the things we do.

Our telos, our picture of flourishing here at Abide church is wanting to be part of something so good and life giving that you don’t want to miss out on it; you just have to talk to your friends and family about it.

It’s doing life together, studying the Word of God together—learning together, having meals together, sharing what happen-ing in your life with each other, praying together.

God will lead and guide us because He is good and He wants His children to flourish in their relationship with him, and each other.

In order to reach the place of flourishing as God intends we need to be open to His leading, this will involve trying some new / different things.

Learn more about the abide Hamilton Church gatherings?

If you have any questions about our abide Hamilton church gatherings, please don’t hesitate to contact us. If you want to touch base with people in specific areas, hunt these good folk down:

general oversight of abide:
Graham and Reverend Sarah Corban

music team:
Graham Corban

admin and operations:
Rose Hinton

pastoral care and prayer team:
Raewyn Burnell

children’s ministry:
Louise Mazengarb

finance stuff:
Raewyn Burnell