Do you feel any different when you become a Christian?

When you become a Christian you know you are no longer alone and experience the joy of a relationship with God – but that does not mean you no longer have any problems. As you learn more and your faith deepens your perspective on life changes. Your priorities change and relationships become more important than “things”.

It changes your attitudes to the way you think about things in a good way. It provides a framework to use when running your life and it provides strength and support during difficult times. It is also gives your life purpose.

To answer the question simple: yes, you do feel different when you become a Christian! However, everyone experiences are different. . Some Christians have ‘profound’ moments; others’ faith evolve over a period of time. It is worth reiterating that over time we all go through a process of change: your perspective on life and your world view changes and deepens.

When you become a Christian, one who is patient and committed to finding their path to God, you can have a sense of peace and feel like a complete person. It’s like being given the final piece of the jigsaw to life.

Does being a Christian solve your problems?

No! Christians have the same problems and experiences as anyone else. For example, we have financial problems, family illness, relationships problems and so on. When approaching these situations Christians will turn to God and to their fellow Christians. It’s not that we don’t have troubles, but that we can take them to a far Higher Power, and that by doing so they are put into perspective. We also believe that prayer changes things.

Christians are no different from any other person, we all have similar problems. Being a Christian can give you a sense of inner peace and provide a way of sharing and supporting each other.

Whilst your problems are not solved, being a Christian gives you a different direction and a different way of looking at things. Sometimes there can be different problems / challenges. As your values change, God may challenge you to live your life in a different way.

How do you hear God?

We can hear from God using all the available channels including prayer, Bible reading, sermons and fellow Christians all the time we can hear God in many ways, primarily through the Bible. There are a variety of ways to hear God, for example in prayer, collective worship and even silence (reflection). Everything we hear from God is consistent with what is found in the Bible.

God communicates with us through our everyday experiences. He can talk to us through the words others say and the actions of the people around us. If we are still and pray, he can give us inspiration and peace. He also communicates through the world and nature around us. He can also intervene in our lives in the most profound ways, with dramatic acts of life changing events.

We can hear God in the words of the Bible. God can speak to us when reading, either alone or with others. Although it is a collection of different types of writing brought together over thousands of years, it is still relevant today. Although you may have read a familiar passage several times, God can use the words in different ways at different times of your life. When discussing the Bible with other people you can find new insight that helps you to interpret what God is saying to you.

What makes our church distinctive?

St Peter’s is an inclusive church; we cater for all ages who regularly attend . We have multiple ways of doing “church” to cater for different needs, such as Inspire, Home Groups and the courses that are on offer throughout the year. We are generally willing to evolve and embrace new ideas in practical ways to meet the needs of our community. We value and care for everyone but children and young people are particularly valued and provided for.

Leadership at our church is an important part of our distinctiveness: It is clear and Biblical, it is shared and focused through a diverse group of individuals. Everyone’s gifts are valued and developed for the good of all. We are led by a clear shared vision of God’s purpose for us: We long to see more people becoming dedicated followers of Jesus and we are motivated by a desire to share his incredible love with the world around us.