Leaping into the life of Christ together. Living for Jesus and making him known.

Who We Are

Here at Darlington Christian Fellowship we believe that life is far more than the few years we live in this body on this spinning globe called the earth. We live out of a conviction that life is only truly lived with faith in a loving, powerful God who longs for all of us to live in relationship with him and has prepared heaven for us. 

We at Darlington Christian Fellowship are a family of faith who share our Christian journey together. Having been saved through faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ we believe that we are called to serve the Lord in the Darlington Community. 

We believe that, through being grounded in solid biblical teaching, we will mature in our faith and being to fulfill our God given potential as we work together to reach out to a lost and hurting word. 

The Bible teaches us in John 10.10 that Jesus came that we might have "life abundantly". He has made this new life attainable through forgiving our sin and providing life through His Spirit. At DCF we seek to make this message known as we live lives of love and good deeds to those around us. 

 

Come and leap into the life of faith with us today

Darlington Christian Fellowship Statement Of Faith

Darlington Christian Fellowship's Statement of Faith is based on:

  1. the revelation of the triune God given in the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments and God’s message to humanity contained in them; and
  2. the revelation of God as creator demonstrated in the universe in which we live.

By faith we do not merely mean accepting certain things as true, but the continuing act of trusting a Person, the Person of Jesus Christ.
(Ps.8:1-4, John 15:4; James 2:22; Acts 17:24-28, Rom. 1:17-20; 2 Cor. 5:7; Gal.2:20).

1. The Holy Bible

We believe God’s Holy Spirit inspired the authors of the books of the Old and New Testaments. We believe in their entire trustworthiness and that they are authoritative for guidance on how we are to understand the faith and that this should issue in mutual love, practical Christian service and concern for those who are unbelievers.
(Is.40:8; Micah 6:8b; 2 Tim 3:16-17; Heb 4:12; 2 Peter 1:20-21)

2. The Trinity

We believe in one God eternally existing in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who have the same nature and attributes but who are different in purpose and activity.
(Gen. 1:26a; Deut. 6:4; Jer. 10:10; Matt 28:19; Luke 1:35; John 10:30; Acts 5:3-4; 2 Cor. 13:14; Heb 1:8).

2.1. God the Father

We believe that God is Father in several different ways.

Among His many attributes, we believe God is holy, God is love, and God is just. Because of His great love for the world He sent His Son to be the Saviour of the world.
(Deut. 32:4: Ps. 2:7-9; Isa. 30.18; John 5:37; Acts 17:29; Gal 3:26; Eph; 1:3-6; Heb. 12:9: 1 Peter 1:3; 1John 4:8,16; Rev. 4:8)

2.2. Jesus Christ the Son

We believe that Jesus Christ was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, and born of a virgin as the son of God. He is completely God and completely human. We believe in His pre-existence, His sinless life, His death on the cross to pay for the penalty for the sins of the world, His bodily resurrection from the grave and His ascension into Heaven. We believe Jesus now occupies a position of power at the right hand of God; that He reigns as Lord of all; and that He intercedes for us. This intercession includes His understanding of every need of a believer and everything that a believer needs for his salvation. We believe Jesus has compassion towards us and a desire and the power to meet our needs. We believe in the bodily return of Jesus when believers will enjoy eternal life in God’s presence in the kingdom He will establish.
(Matt. 24:36-44; Luke 1:35; John 1:1,14,18; Rom. 3:21-26; 4:25; Eph. 4:11-16; 1 Thess. 4:16; Heb. 1:3; 7:23-25; 9:24b, 28b ; 1 Peter 1:3-5; 1 John 2:1-2)

2.3. The Holy Spirit

We believe that the work of the Holy Spirit is to give glory to Jesus and to lead people to a place of trust in Jesus Christ. We believe the Holy Spirit regenerates, indwells, seals and bestows spiritual gifts upon all believers at the time of their conversion. During a believer’s life the Holy Spirit, fills, teaches leads, assures, and prays for believers.
(John 14:26; 16:6-15; Acts 1:5; 2:1-4; Rom. 8:14-16, 26-27; 1 Cor. 6:19; 12:7-11, 13; Eph. 1:13-14; 5:18; Titus 3:5)

3. Humanity and Sin

We believe men and women were created in the likeness of God for fellowship with Him. We believe that through Adam’s sin, humanity incurred God’s judgement (both physical and spiritual death, that is, separation from God); we believe people are sinners by nature and by choice; and are in need of salvation. We believe that it is the devil’s desire to prevent people from believing in Jesus and to attempt to destroy the faith of those who do believe. Nevertheless, the scriptures teach us that because of God’s grace and great love, through faith in Jesus Christ we can be saved from the power and penalty of our sins.
(Gen 1;1,27; 2:17; 3:1-19; Isa. 14:12-15; Luke 8:12; John 1:3, 8:44; 12:31; Rom. 3:23; 5:12-21; 6:23; 2 Cor. 4:4; Eph. 2:1-3; Col. 1:16-17; Heb. 2: 14)

4. Salvation

We believe in salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ’s substitutionary death (death in our place) as payment for our sins. This salvation is not based on human merit, works, or religious ceremony but based on the overwhelming love of God. We believe that anyone who has repented from sin and placed their faith in Christ is eternally secure, has everlasting life, will not come into condemnation, and shall never perish.
(Dan. 12:1-2; Matt. 25:31-46, John 1:12; 3:3,16-17; 3:36 , 5:24, 10:28-29, 11:25-26;; Rom. 8:28-39; 2 Cor. 5:17-21; Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 3:4-7; ; 1 John 4:11-13; Jude 1: Rev. 20:12-15).

5. The Church

We believe in the church, both universally and locally, as the spiritual body of which Christ is the Head. We believe the Church is composed of individual believers who meet together for fellowship and worship and the administration of baptism and the Lord’s Supper. As members of the body of Christ we love Him as our head and we love each other. We believe in the importance of a friendly welcoming atmosphere in the church to encourage individuals and families in their walk with God.
(Eph. 1:22-23; 4:11-16; 5:22-33; Col. 1:18; 1 John 3:11, 18, 23; 4:11, 21)

6. The Great Commission

We believe in the Great Commission as taught by Jesus. We believe that as Christians and members of our Church, we are Christ’s representatives on earth and it is our responsibility to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. We also believe that we have a responsibility to provide opportunity for people to mature in their Christian life.
(Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; Rom 10:14-15; 2 Cor. 5:18-20; Col. 4:2-6; 2 Tim. 2:14-26)

7. Eternity

We believe scripture teaches that only those who accept Jesus Christ as Saviour are guaranteed eternal life in the presence of Jesus Christ and that God will righteously judge those who reject Jesus Christ as Saviour to spend eternity with Satan in Hell. We further believe that God who is sovereign has sovereignty in all things.
(Matt.25:31-46; Luke 16:19-31; 1 Cor. 3:11-15; 15: 12-28; 50-56; 2 Cor. 5:8-10)

8. Prayer

We believe that God answers prayer according to His perfect will for humanity, and that it is our privilege and responsibility to pray both individually and corporately.
(1 Sam. 12:23; Ps. 17:6; Matt. 6:1-14; Luke 11:9-10; 18: 1-8; John 15:7; Eph. 6:18;1 Tim. 2:1-2; Heb. 4:14,16; James 4:2)

 

Child Protection Policy

To read DCF's Child Proection Policy and Leadership Code of Conduct, click on the links below.

/ckfinder/userfiles/files/Darlington Christian Fellowship Child Protection Policy_Final(1).pdf

/ckfinder/userfiles/files/DCF Leadership Code of Conduct_Final.pdf

 

Safe Ministry Policy
DARLINGTON CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP INCORPORATED

 

Background & Governance

This policy outlines the underlying principles that direct our approach to safeguarding vulnerable people involved with Darlington Christian Fellowship Incorporated (hereafter DCF). It applies to all staff, leaders, pastors, coordinators, volunteers, trainees and anyone working on behalf of DCF. The DCF Council takes responsibility for ensuring these principles are reviewed regularly and embedded in the organisation culture at all levels.[1] [2]

1. Commitment to Safeguard Vulnerable People

We are committed to the Biblical call to care for the vulnerable by actively preventing harm and abuse, and by seeking to provide safe programs.[3] We are also responsible and accountable fulfilling our obligations under State and Federal law to protect children and vulnerable people.

We are committed to ensuring that vulnerable people (including children, families, the disabled and elderly) are informed and involved in decisions that considerably affect them. We recognise the diverse needs of vulnerable people should be taken into account and that their concerns be taken seriously.[4] We are committed to embedding this care into all levels of our leadership and culture.

2. Commitment to Screening and Training Relevant Leaders

We are committed to ensuring all Relevant Leaders are screened, appropriately supported and trained through the process outlined below.[5]

  1. All Relevant leaders must be regular participants at DCF. They will have their potential roles and responsibilities clearly outlined for them as they start their role,
  2. All Relevant Leaders must provide referees who can confirm the proposed leader is suitable to work with vulnerable people and that there is no reason the proposed leader should not be appointed in such a role,
  3. All Relevant leaders must complete an the approved Safe Ministry Training Course www.SafeMinistryTraining.com.au which outlines appropriate behaviour including how to minimise the chances of harm and abuse, as well as training in how to identify and report cases of abuse,
  4. Relevant leaders will have committed to the leader’s Code of Conduct and behave as followers of Jesus and be willing to be held accountable for their behaviour, and
  5. If a Relevant Leader is working with children & youth, they must have their State “Working With Children Check” verified.

No-one with a criminal record of child abuse, molestation or similar offences is allowed to be involved in children's or youth ministry at DCF.

3. Commitment to Providing Safe and Accessible Programs

We are committed to ensuring that our programs and events are safe and appropriate for those attending. Careful consideration must be given to the activities chosen, the venue, safe ratios of supervision, appropriate toileting practices, transportation, work health and safety, parental or guardian permission and confidentiality of records kept.

To help maintain appropriate standards, we will give all relevant leaders access to ongoing training and adequate supervision in their roles and responsibilities.

4. Commitment to Appropriately Respond to Concerns and Complaints

We are committed to creating a culture where people feel safe to speak out about inappropriate behaviour without fear of being rejected or ridiculed. We are committed to listening and responding appropriately to concerns and complaints about behaviour and safety at DCF. Throughout this process we are committed to protecting the confidentiality, dignity, health and well-being of all individuals involved. Any child-related issues will be managed with a focus on the interest of the child and will be reported to the relevant State Child Protection body.[6]

All reports will be managed by the Safe Ministry Supervisors.

Safe Ministry Supervisors
DCF President

DCF Pastor

The Safe Ministry Supervisors will follow a Safe Ministry Issue Management Process.[7] This includes reporting any criminal activity to Police, and the possibility of reporting allegations of abuse to the State Ombudsman and the insurer of DCF. In certain incidents (as outlined in the Issue Management Process) the Safe Ministry Supervisors will appoint an Independent Ministry Investigator to investigate allegations of inappropriate behaviour.

 

Instituted by DCF Council September 2023

Next review by DCF Council September 2025


[1] This policy is in accordance with the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998 No 157

[2] As per Point 1 of the National Statement of Principles for Child Safe Organisations

[3] Deuteronomy 6:4-7; Matthew 18:1-6; Mark 10:13-16

[4] As per Points 2, 3 & 4 of the National Statement of Principles for Child Safe Organisations

[5] As per Point 5, 7 & 8 of the National Statement of Principles for Child Safe Organisations

[6] As per Point 6 of the National Statement of Principles for Child Safe Organisations

[7] As per Point 10 of the National Statement of Principles for Child Safe Organisations