We meet at 10.30am every Sunday morning at Holyrood Academy upper site hall – accessed via Zembard Lane. Come along and get involved in a lively celebration of Christian worship together.
In addition, members take part in Life Group meetings during the week, and a variety of interesting activities and groups. We are an independent church with people from all backgrounds and ages, keen to follow Jesus Christ in every part of our lives. We aim to live as a community, in the community. Why not listen to past Sunday morning talks, or download the leaflet which supports current or past sermon series?
About the Forefront Centre
We run the Forefront Community Centre in Chard as a service to the community, including a young parents support group, English class and coffee mornings. We also host the Lord’s Larder food bank. Other community services using the premises include the Citizen’s Advice Somerset.
The Centre is staffed by members of Forefront, and all of its activities supported by volunteers from the church. If you’re interested in joining us and helping with this work, we’ll be glad to talk to you.
Who is Forefront
Everybody is welcome on a Sunday morning, or to drop in for a hot drink and a chat at the Forefront Centre.
We don’t operate a formal membership list, but if you say you want to worship with us we’ll add you to our contact list. See Belonging to Forefront Community Church.
Strong relationships and pastoral care are vital to church life, and much of the day-to-day reality of church relationships takes place in Life Groups. These meet weekly and provide friendship, support and accountability at all times. We invite you to find a Life Group you enjoy and attend regularly. See our guidance on pastoral care.
Things we do
We come from a Christian tradition which believes that every member who has put their faith in Jesus Christ is uniquely enabled to contribute to the local church. Without each member playing their part, the whole vision cannot be accomplished.
In addition we support a number of projects in partnership with other churches, including Lord’s Larder, the annual Holiday Club and other community-support projects, and we hope more things like these will start in future, too.
We have members and contacts who work in missions and development projects overseas, and we support them through prayer, financial giving (15% of all regular offerings), correspondence and visits.
How we are led
Forefront has a leadership team composed of individuals with diverse skills and experiences which meets weekly to pray and oversee the life of the fellowship. The leadership team is complemented by others who lead various ministry teams.
A panel of trustees oversees staff, finances and property. Paid staff carry out duties vital to the vision that cannot be fulfilled by volunteers.
We are committed to best practice in safeguarding for children and vulnerable adults. See our safeguarding statement, or call in to view our policy.
Our history
In 1875 a group of Christians from the Open Brethren began meeting with some members from Chard Baptist Church. Later they built the ‘Gospel Hall’ in Combe Street.
In the 1990s, growth in numbers meant that the church building was too small. We sold it, and began meeting in a school, and then in Chard Guildhall.
At the same time we rented a shop in Fore Street as a ‘drop-in centre’. This was so successful that, in 2007, we moved to the current property at 42 Fore Street which we now run as Forefront Community Centre.
The disruption of the COVID years had us meeting at home and fellowshiping through live, online services and, since 2 January 2022, we have been meeting in Holyrood Academy’s upper site hall.
Partnerships
We are pleased to be part of Chard Churches Together, the umbrella body of all the Christian churches in Chard.
We embrace the Evangelical Alliance basis of faith. The EA has individual and church members from a wide variety of denominations and seeks to promote unity and truth, and acts as an evangelical voice to the state, society and the wider church.
Partnership UK is a network of independent churches to which we belong. Its aim is to provide resources and to encourage growth in local churches and their individual members.
Vision
A caring community with every member equipped to demonstrate Christ, working with others to advance God’s Kingdom in Chard and the world.
Values
Seek God – in prayer, worship, study of the Scripture and fellowship, we value the pursuit of God in Jesus Christ;
Love Generously – in time, talent and treasure, to stimulate one another to good works and a lifestyle of generosity;
Expect transformation – to see God’s Holy Spirit move in individual lives, in the church and across our community