barbados
grace fellowship
"I have been crucified with Christ;
and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me;
and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God,
who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me."
Galatians 2:20
What makes BGF Different?
When you come to BGF we hope you will find a different experience of church. We are a family and hope to provide a safe community where Love is our focus. We believe in many ways we are functioning as a New Testament Church. We don't have (nor do we believe a single pastor or even a pastoral staff can meet the many needs of a diverse congregation). So, if you are looking for a traditional church where the senior pastor is the minister - the only person competent to counsel you, pray for you, encourage you, visit you when you're sick - you will be disappointed at BGF. We believe and teach that every believer, is created, saved, called, gifted, authorized, and commanded to minister. The teaching each Sunday takes the form of a DVD or a short talk and Life happens through the week in our Small Groups, at Coffee Shops and on the job.
We Rest
We trust that as believers God delights in us! Nothing we do can make us more acceptable to or loved by Him. As such, we do not work or serve in order to earn acceptance and love. Instead, we work from a position of rest, overflowing with the amazing LIFE we have received.
Equipping the Saints
We have a strong emphasis on discipleship at BGF. While we meet together for fellowship, worship and teaching on a Sunday we do not believe this is where the equipping of the saints takes place. We have a discipleship programme in the development stage called the Ripple with the hope that is can be fully developed into a longer programme called The Wave. We would also like all those who come to BGF to participate in a Small Group. Not only does the small group environment provide an environment to discuss the concepts that are being taught on a Sunday, it will also be a place to pray for one another, to practice using gifts and it is our hope that the small group will be a safe place to be cared for and to care for each other. The rest of the time we believe we "are the church." We are called and equipped to release the Life of Christ in all our interactions and any ministries He has us in. We are not simply to soak up knowledge and "place it under a bowl" (Luke 8:16); we are to be a light in the world.
Servanthood Emphasis
The Bible says that serving, rather than being served, is the heart of the Christian life (Matthew 20:28). Those who come to BGF only to get and receive and get tended to and be ministered to are fully loved and accepted here. However, we believe and teach that although we do not earn God's acceptance through works, serving is a natural outpouring of the Grace we have received by faith.
No Guilt!
Subsequently, we don't typically beg, badger, or nag people in an attempt to get them involved. We invite the participation of anyone and everyone who shares our heart for ministry. We will gladly work with anyone who wants to grow and serve, but we don't feel responsible to try to coerce people into involvement when they are not ready for that level of commitment.
A Dependence on the Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit has provided our local body with all the spiritually gifted people need to do everything He wants done. Our task is to discover, train, and support these people in ministry. If we find we are without the necessary resources to fund or "man" a particular ministry, we realize that may be a leading of God to go in a new or different direction. The clear leading of the Spirit of God (not historical precedents or a majority vote) determines what ministries we will engage in and support. We are not an autocratic body that maintains a set-in-stone list of approved ministries; rather, we seek to be a "permission-giving" church, releasing our members into new ministries that are in line with the body's needs, individuals' gifts and desires, and the overall vision of BGF.
We welcome your connections and involvement at BGF....
Worship
This group meets once a week on a Thursday at lunch time to love, support and worship together. Anyone is welcome.
Nicole Mager +1 (246) 428-0543
Youth
Sandy Raymer +1 (246) 434-0189
Sandy1_caribsurf.com
ncmager_yahoo.co.uk
Kids
Lisa Marquez +1 (246) 435-0602
Small Groups & Discipleship
BGF is all about Small Groups and getting connected to other believers so that you can be loved and supported in your faith.
We recommend everyone who comes to BGFpartcipate in our initial discipleship experience called a Ripple (which in time we hope to develop into an experience of Life called The Wave).
Heather Meyer +1 (246) 436-7429
trinbaje_gmail.com
Christian Surfers
Melanie Pitcher +1 (246) 428-5977
info_barbadossurftrips.com
hmeyer_caribsurf.com
For more information on either Small Groups or The Wave at BGF click on the tabs below........
peter_raymer_yahoo.com
Small Groups
Ripples
"I feel at peace with my family here and this is where God desires me to be.
We are open, non-judgemental, welcoming, grace filled gang who know there is only one way and we accept that failure is not the end of the world."
Peter Raymer
"I come to BGF because its like home. My brothers and sisters in Christ join me in celebrating Gods love and are a loving and supporting network. BGF is different because it is such a relaxed atmosphere to celebrate Gods grace and love.there is no one judging, no one criticising, no one making you feel out of place or that your faith is less than theirs. The love at BGF is enormousthe love at BGF is Gods love and its a wonderful feeling to be part of such a incredible community." Shannon Lashley
"From day one I've loved the warmth and the sincere welcoming feeling I experienced then and still do today. I like that it's a relatively small group compared to most churches I know; it feels like family.
I come to BGF to experience the revelation of Grace that is Jesus Christ; I come to BGF because I'm fully accepted just as I am and I love the sense of community; my son and I come to BGF because it feels like coming" home" and we love it. No rules and expectations of or placed on people; everyone is free to be themselves and they're loved beyond. I like the vulnerability expressed in not knowing or trying to figure out everything and completely trusting Father to direct BGF according to His will."
Lisa Marquez
"I think what I like the most about BGF is that I'm free to be myself there. I know, no matter what I wear, what mood I'm in or what I'm going through, I know I'll be received.
I come to BGF because of the unswerving message that Jesus is Life. That, together with a warmth that is inclusive, is also what makes us different."
Sandy Raymer
"I love our church. I love the people. I love the ones who turn up and dance every week and I love the ones who turn up once in awhile and look a bit scared and awkward. I love not caring if some days I sing the worship songs with tears streaming down my cheeks and other days I dont. I love not having to be worried about what anyone thinks, but I can stay focused on what they might need maybe a hug, a smile or the promise of a get-together. I especially love how many people focus on what I might need - usually a hug, a smile or the promise of a get-together!!!!
.. I have found now so many friends at BGF who I feel like I can say ANYTHING to, and who I feel can say anything TO ME. I finally feel comfortable going to church. Finally, after many years of trying."
Vicky Merrick
"I like the casual breezy and literally breezy too atmosphere. There is a fresh spirit of God at BGF..
Really I come to connect I like that are all made to feel welcom, cuz we live in a world that is sooo connected and so busy but yet you can still feel empty on the inside. At BGF there is an authentic feeling everytime you walk in the door. And sometimes a hug... ..lol.
Well mostly there is no one there telling me I should be a better Christian, I dont need that I already do that to myself, its a place where you are reminded of Gods adoring love for us. Thus when the tears flow, cuz you never feel worthy of all that love. Its in the receiving of that love, truly receiving that I will ever grow...cuz otherwize its all about performance."
Wendy Cave
Frequently Asked Questions about The Grace Life ( taken from Grace Ministries International)
What is the grace (or exchanged) life?
At BGF we believe this term is used to describe the Christian life as God intended it to be. The grace walk stresses allowing Christ to live His life through us. A careful reading of the New Testament makes it clear that we do not live the Christian life by self-effort but by abiding (resting) in Christ and allowing Him to manifest His life through our own (references: John 15:5; Romans 15:18; Ephesians 2:8-10; Philippians 2:13; and II Thessalonians 2:13). Through the years various other believers have described the grace walk with other terms such as: The Exchanged Life (Hudson Taylor), The Abiding Life (Andrew Murray), The Crucified Life (L. E. Maxwell), Life on the Highest Plane (Ruth Paxson), The Interior Life (Hannah Whitall Smith), The Normal Christian Life (Watchman Nee), The Victorious Christian Life (Alan Redpath, Ian Thomas), and The Miracle Life (David Needham).
In light of grace exactly how does one live the Christian Life?
The key to victory in the Christian life lies in acknowledging that you cannot live the Christian life out of your own resources or abilities. Only one person has ever lived the Christian life as God intended and that was Jesus Himself! However, there is good news; Jesus wants to live His victorious, overcoming life through you. Perhaps no verse says it more clearly than Galatians 2:20, "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me." We live the Christian life by yielding moment-by-moment to Christ, trusting Him to animate us with His very life.
Does the teaching of grace lead to passivity in the Christian life?
One of the most common misunderstandings about the grace walk is that it teaches passivity in the life of the Christian. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The grace walk is an active lifestyle energized not by the energy of the flesh but by the energy of the indwelling life of Christ. Consider the example of the apostle Paul. Paul trusted Christ to live His life through him (Romans 15:18) while leading an extremely active lifestyle. Notice Paul's description of his lifestyle in Colossians 1:29, "And for this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me." Paul was not passive; he was active. The words "labor" and "striving" in the original language refer to weariness to the point of physical exhaustion. Yet it was not done in the energy of the flesh, it was "according to His (Jesus) power" which was at work within Paul.
If we are forgiven of our sins past, present, and future at the time of salvation won't that lead to a sinful lifestyle?
This is not a new question. In fact, this was the essence of the concern of those in Pauls own day who asked, "Are we to continue in sin that grace might increase? (Romans 6:1). Coming to understand the totality of forgiveness should never lead the believer into a sinful lifestyle. Grace doesn't work that way. Grace enables us to walk in obedience. Grace moves us toward righteousness. Grace overpowers sin. Rules, regulations, and rigorous self-discipline will not keep us from sin but, an authentic love relationship with Jesus will.
What about 1 John 1:9, don't we have to confess our sins in order to be forgiven?
One of the most common misconceptions in Christianity today is that we have to continually confess our sins in order to be forgiven. This belief is contrary to the plain teachings of the Scriptures. Is this to say that confession is not important? Absolutely not! We do not oppose confession. We believe Christians should confess their sins. However, we do believe that the biblical doctrine of confession needs to be properly understood.
Confess is from the Greek word homolegeo that literally means "same word." It is commonly translated as "to say the same thing." When we confess our sins to God, we are agreeing with Him that we have sinned, according to His Word. Therefore, confession is not coming to God and saying, "O God, I have sinned, I am a dirty, rotten, no-good sinner, please forgive me just one more time." True confession is like this, "Father, I agree with You that I have sinned, thank You that I am forgiven and I ask You to remind me of the reality of the fellowship that I truly have in You." It is important to understand that confession is primarily for us.
When an individual believes on Christ as Savior they are totally forgiven of all sins past, present, and future. Colossians 2:13 says, "He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions." In light of this we see that I John 1:9 is not a conditional promise. We do not have to keep on confessing our sins in order to be forgiven, as believers we abide in Gods forgiveness. The words "to forgive" are hina aphei in the Greek and are a second aorist subjunctive indicating a single act with ongoing results, not a process. When we believe on Christ we are forever forgiven, confession is provided for us through the graciousness of God. Consider the following free interpretation of I John 1:9, "As we agree with God that we still sin, He reminds us that He is faithful and righteous in already having forgiven us of all our sins and He continually keeps us cleansed from all unrighteousness." (Compare I John 1:9 to 1:7).
Jesus said in the Lord's prayer that if we forgive others then God will forgive us. That seems conditional, how does one reconcile this with the unconditional nature of grace?
The Lords prayer (or better, the model prayer) is found in Matthew 6:9-13 and in Luke 11:2-4. In these verses Jesus teaches that we will be forgiven only as we forgive others. This seems to contradict the unconditional nature of grace and of total forgiveness. The solution lies in considering when Jesus ministered in the redemptive plan of God. Jesus ministered under the Law. He said in Matthew 5:17, "Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill." During His earthly ministry Jesus functioned under the Old Covenant of the Law. He did not break the Law, He fulfilled the Law. The New Covenant was initiated by the death of Jesus on the Cross. Therefore, our way of relating to God changed after the Cross and the initiation of the New Covenant. So, the believer on this side of the Cross is totally forgiven (past, present, and future) at the time of salvation.
How does one come to comprehend the grace of God in the Christians life?
The fullness of the grace of God in the life of the Christian cannot be understood apart from a revelation of God. Some of the most profound words Jesus spoke are found in Luke 10:21-22, "At that very time He rejoiced greatly in the Holy Spirit, and said, I praise Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that Thou didst hide these things from the wise and intelligent and didst reveal them to babes. Yes, Father, for thus it was well-pleasing in Thy sight. All things have been handed over to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him." We come to comprehend spiritual truth only as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit reveal it to us. Revelation is a spiritual apprehension of the truth and it comes only from God. God reveals His grace to us as we humbly seek Him. See also Matthew 16:16-17 and Galatians 1:11-12.
Does grace lead to a lawless attitude in the Christian life?
The simple answer to this question is "No way!" The Christian who is truly walking in grace is not an antinomian ("one who opposes the Law"). Rather, the person who is walking in grace has great respect for the God-ordained purpose of the Law. In Romans 7:12 Paul said, "So then, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good." Grace-oriented Christians are not "Law-bashers" but, they do understand that the Law has no place in the life of the Christian. Consider the following Scriptures: "Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, that we might bear fruit for God" (Romans 7:4). "In order that the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit" (Romans 8:4). "Realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous man, but for those who are lawless and rebellious" (I Timothy 1:9).
What is the function of the Law in the world today?
Those who say that there is no purpose for the Law of God in the world today do not understand the plain teaching of Scripture on this subject. God uses the Law today to cause unbelievers to realize that they are sinners in need of a Savior. Consider the following verses: "Because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin" (Romans 3:20). "And the Law came in that the transgression might increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more" (Romans 5:20). "Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, that we may be justified by faith" (Galatians 3:24). "The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law" (I Corinthians 15:56). "For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all" (James 2:10). The Law has a definite purpose in the world today, but not in the life of the Christian.
What exactly is legalism?
We define legalism as a system of living in which a person tries to make spiritual progress or gain Gods acceptance based on what they do. Legalism is focused on behavior and is therefore an achieving system. Legalism is the opposite of grace. Grace is a system of living in which God blesses us because we are in Jesus Christ and for no other reason at all. Grace is focused on our spiritual birth and is therefore a receiving system. Consider a couple of Scriptures: "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us" (Galatians 3:13). "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age" (Titus 2:11-12).
Does walking in grace imply that a Christian never sins?
Nowhere do the Scriptures imply that a Christian is sinlessly perfect. The words of John in I John 1:8 make this abundantly clear, "If we say we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us." Yet, at the same time, we must understand that as believers the power of sin has been broken in our lives so that we do not have to sin. In Romans 6:12-13 Paul says, "Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body that you should obey its lusts, and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God." This does not mean that we are incapable of sin, it means that we have a choice to either sin or not sin because the power of sin has been broken in our lives. A careful study of Romans six and seven will reveal that although our old nature was put to death at salvation we still have a struggle with the flesh. The flesh is the way we have learned to meet our needs without God. As believers we have a choice, we can walk in the flesh or in the Spirit (see Galatians 5:16-17).
How does a person abide in Christ?
The word abide means to "continue, to remain, to stay." Abiding occurs as we make the conscious choice to moment-by-moment rest in Christ and allow Him to express His life through our own. Perhaps the classic expression of this truth is in John 15:5 where Jesus says, "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." When Jesus says "nothing" He means nothing. As Christians we are not called to strive or work to bear fruit for God. We are called to abide or rest in Him allowing Him to produce His fruit and good works through us. We are not fruit producers we are fruit bearers.
Is the new covenant believer required to tithe?
Tithing is not to be imposed upon the new covenant believer. Instead Christians are to give in the same way they live, by grace. Tithing is not mentioned after the Cross and the inauguration of the new covenant with the exception of Hebrews 7:5-9. These verses in Hebrews are not used to support tithing, they are given as a historical reference to demonstrate the principle of genetic identity. The foundation for new covenant giving can be found in 2 Corinthians 8-9. The key is 2 Corinthians 9:7, the believer is to give "as he has purposed in his heart." Some believers still use tithing as a guideline in their giving. This practice is fine as long as tithing does not become a legalistic practice or is made to be an indicator of spirituality. For further reading refer to GraceWalk chapter ten, "From Duty to Delight."
BGF Leadership Team
Organizations BGF has a connection with
Physical Address of BGFSt Gabriels School AuditoriumHenrys LaneSt. MichaelBridgetownBarbados
Physical Address of BGF
St Gabriels School Auditorium
Henrys Lane
St. Michael
Bridgetown
Barbados
Postal Address
c/o PO Box 782
BB11000
Heather Meyer
+1 (246) 436 7429
Steve and Marie Thomas
Steve-tundra_caribsurf.com
Click here for Map
Marie-peggymar_caribsurf.com
+1 (246) 425-4081
