God has placed each of us somewhere — on particular streets, among particular neighbours, in particular communities. Neighbourhoods are how we seek to live as the church family together in those places.
Neighbourhoods are small, local communities of Trinity members. They are not another meeting or programme, but spiritual families who share life together, care for one another, encourage one another to follow Jesus, and bring His love and gospel to the people around them.
In Acts 2:42–47, the early church gathered both as a whole church and in one another's homes. They devoted themselves to fellowship, prayer, meals, caring for one another and sharing the gospel.
Neighbourhoods are our attempt to recover something of this New Testament pattern — becoming a church family that doesn't simply meet together, but shares life together.
How do Neighbourhoods work?
Neighbourhoods are intentionally flexible. There isn't a set programme or particular way they have to meet.
Every Neighbourhood is encouraged and expected to:
Connect — meet together socially at least once a month.
Care — look out for one another and respond when someone needs help.
Encourage — help one another follow Jesus and live as His people.
Bless — find ways to bless and serve the local community at least three times a year.
Each Neighbourhood has an Overseer who provides spiritual oversight and helps the group flourish. They are there to watch over, encourage, care for and help equip the Neighbourhood, rather than to organise everything or carry all the responsibility themselves. The whole Neighbourhood belongs to everyone.
Your Overseer isn't there to organise everything. Every member is encouraged to take responsibility for the people God has placed around them.
You could:
Invite people round for a meal.
Organise a walk or social activity.
Offer practical help when someone needs it.
Pray for people in your Neighbourhood.
Notice when someone is missing or struggling.
Welcome someone who is new or on the edge.
Invite others into things you're already doing.
Help your Neighbourhood bless its local community.
Hospitality, encouragement, care and service aren't just for leaders — they're part of following Jesus together. Neighbourhoods aren't built by one leader. They're built by everyone.
How do I join a Neighbourhood?
Neighbourhoods are organised geographically, so that we can build relationships with Christians who live near us and become a blessing to the communities where God has placed us.
But Neighbourhoods are about more than simply being allocated to an area. They are part of what it means to belong to Trinity and to share life together as a church family. As we join a Neighbourhood, we’re choosing to build relationships, care for one another, encourage one another and make ourselves available to the wider church family — not simply attend on a Sunday.
Find your area on the map below to see which Neighbourhood you’re part of.
If you're not sure which Neighbourhood you belong to, or you think you've been missed, please speak to a member of the leadership team or email: office@trinitylittlehampton.co.uk.