About
Our Story
We’ve been part of the Blockhouse Bay community since 1974. We were originally called First Alliance Church because we were the first church established in New Zealand by The Christian and Missionary Alliance. In 1998 we changed our name to Blockhouse Bay Community Church (BBCC) to more accurately reflect our location and commitment to our community but we are still very much an Alliance church, totally committed and connected with the Alliance Family.
The Alliance is a worldwide Christian movement working in almost 90 countries, with thousands of Pastors and Missionaries and millions of members. It traces it’s history back to 1887 and the Canadian Presbyterian minister, Dr Albert B Simpson, who was known for his commitment to the deeper Christian life, and global missions. Simpson’s leadership influenced the forming of two Christian ministries which later merged to become the Christian & Missionary Alliance. One of our more widely known members is Dr A.W. Tozer, noted preacher, writer, and theologian of the 20th Century.
While the Alliance has grown to become a highly respected international denomination, it remains more of a movement at heart – still committed to helping people grow deeper in Christ, and taking the gospel to all people, everywhere. Blockhouse Bay Community Church shares this commitment and loves working with people, ministries and churches who share our passion.
Calling & Culture
Our Calling
Our Calling describes the mission, vision, and focus of our church.
We’re called to be a tangible expression of Jesus to the world, empowered by the Spirit to proclaim the Gospel, reconcile lost people back to God, and transform them into fully devoted followers of Christ.
Our Culture
Our Culture is summarised by the phrase Real People, Real Life as we aspire to be a culture characterised by genuine, truthful, and transparent relationships with God, ourselves, and others; and experience the fullness of life God promises through faith in Jesus Christ. In the beauty and diversity of a multicultural church and society, we’ll encourage a clearly Christian culture consistent with a church living under the leadership of Jesus Christ. We believe this culture will inspire, challenge, encourage, and transform people to become all they can be in Christ. In developing this culture we’ll focus on four key areas which:
We’re learning to love God
- recognises Christ as the head of our Church (Col 1:15-20)
- demonstrates Christian character in all spheres of life. (1 Pet 2:11-12)
- actively engages in prayer. (Eph 6:18)
- inspires creative & diverse expressions of worship. (1 Cor 14:26 & “New Songs” of Scripture)
- practices financial stewardship and generosity. (2 Cor 8:1-7)
- honours the Bible as God’s word. (2 Tim 3:16-17)
We’re learning to love people
- welcomes people of all cultures, backgrounds and age groups. (Matt 18:1-9, Rev 5:9)
- concerned for justice and protecting the most vulnerable in society (Zech 7:8-10)
- commits to evangelism in NZ and support of overseas missions (Acts 1:8)
- encourages healing and wholeness of the total person (mind, soul, and spirit) (2 Pet 1:3-8)
- encourages spiritual growth & maturity which leads to holy living (Eph 4:11-13)
- supports and strengthens family life (Eph 5:22-6:4)
- facilitates friendship & fellowship (Acts 2:42-47)
We’re learning to love serving
- encourages people to use their gifts, talents, and strengths (1 Cor 12:1-11)
- equips it’s people for life and ministry (Eph 4:11-16)
- demonstrates servant leadership (John 13)
- communicates ancient truth in contemporary ways – contextualises the Gospel (Acts 17:16-34)
- encourages team work – we’re a body (1 Cor 12:12-31)
- encourages excellence in everything – we want to give God our best (Eph 6:7-8)
We’re learning to be part of the universal Church
- works together with other like-minded churches and ministries and actively supports the ministry of the Christian & Missionary Alliance (Gal 3:26-29; Rev 5:9-10)
Statement of Faith
1Isaiah 44:6; 45:5-6, 21-22; 2Genesis 1:1-31; Colossians 1:15-16. 3Matthew 5:48; Deuteronomy 32:4. 4Matthew 3:16-17; 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14
B. Jesus Christ is true God and true man.5 He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.6 He died upon the cross, the Righteous for the unrighteous, as a substitutionary sacrifice,7 and all who believe in Him are justified on the ground of His shed blood.8 He arose from the dead according to the Scriptures.9 He is now at the right hand of the Majesty on high10 as our great High Priest.11 He will come again to establish His Kingdom of righteousness and peace.12
5Philippians 2:6-11; Hebrews 1:2-3; 2:14-18; Colossians 1:15-20; 2:9. 6Matthew 1:18; Luke 1:35. 71 Peter 2:24, 3:18; 1 John 2:2; 4:9, 10. 8Romans 3:22-25. 91 Corinthians 15:3-6. 10 Hebrews 1:3, 8:1 11Hebrews 4:14-15; 9:24-28. 12Matthew 25:31-34.
C. The Holy Spirit is a divine person, sent to indwell, guide, teach, and empower the believer for godly living and service, to bring glory to the Lord Jesus Christ, and to convict the world of sin, of righteousness and of judgment.13
13John 14:16-17; John 16:7-15.
D. The Old and New Testaments, inerrant as originally given, whose words were inspired by God, are a complete revelation of His will for the salvation of all people. They constitute the divine and only rule of Christian faith and practice.14
14 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21.
E. People were originally created in the image and likeness of God; they fell through disobedience, incurring thereby both physical and spiritual death.15 Subsequently all people are born with a sinful nature, are separated from the life of God, and can be saved only through faith in the atoning work of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross. 16 The destiny of the unrepentant and unbelieving is everlasting separation from God in conscious torment (Hell); but that of the believer is everlasting joy and blessing in the presence of the Lord (Heaven). 17
15Genesis 1:27, 3:1-24; 16Romans 3:9-12; 22-25; Galatians 3:22; Ephesians 4:17-18. 17 Matthew 25:41-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; Revelation 14:10-11
18John 3:16; Titus 3:5-7; Acts 2:38. 19Ephesians 1:7; Romans 3:22-25; 1 Corinthians 6:11; John 1:12.
G. It is the will of God that each believer should be filled with the Holy Spirit and be sanctified thoroughly, thereby being separated from the power of sin and conformity to the world, and being fully dedicated to the will of God, receiving power for holy living and sacrificial and effective service toward the completion of Christ’s commission.20 This is both a distinct encounter and a progressive experience in the life of the believer subsequent to conversion.21
20 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Acts 1:8; Romans 12:1-2; Galatians 5:16-25; 21 2 Corinthians 3:18; Romans 6:1-4; 1 John 2:15-17
22Matthew 8:16-17. 23James 5:14-16.
The local church is a body of believers in Christ who are joined together for the worship of God, which includes being built up through the Word of God, prayer, fellowship, the observance of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, and the witness of the Gospel locally and globally. 25
241 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:22-23; 3:6-12; Matthew 16:18; 28:19-20. 25Hebrews 10:25; Acts 2:41-47; 1 Corinthians 11:23-29; Acts 1:8
26 John 5:25-29; Acts 24:15-16; 27 1 Corinthians 15:20-23; 28 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10.
29 Matthew 24:29-31; Acts 1:7-11; 1 Corinthians 1:7; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; 2 Peter 3:8-9; Revelation 1:7; Revelation 22:7,12; 30 Matthew 28:18-20; Titus 2:11-14; 2 Peter 3:10-13
