october missionscene
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October missionscene from the Mission ForumTRANSCRIPT
October 2011
A bi-monthly publication of the Fellowship of Baptists in Britain and Ireland
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In this editionPage 3 Editorial: Helen Wordsworth introduces this edition.
Pages 4-5 Baptist Events: Find out about what’s going on and how you can get involved: crossingplaces Days, Rural churches’ day, Baptist Assembly in Scotland, Being Church for the
Boomer Generation? conference, What difference can 1277 days make?, Toddler Group Rocks!
Page 6-8 Other Events: Events being run by other organisations which may be of interest to you or others in your church
Church planting 101, LICC Evangelism at Work, 10@Work LICC lunchtime lectures, Christian New Media conference, Micah 2011, Bible Sunday, The High lyfe, ‘Passionate Proclamation Evangelism’ conference, Christians in Science conference, Lead Academy taster days, Incarnate houseparty
Pages 9-13 Resources: A range of resources to help you and your church in mission
Christian Enquiry Agency, BMS Harvest resource, John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, Bible Messages for Today publication, Hope Easter resource, Sharing Faith the Jesus Way book review, Eight great books on church planting, Good News People, Saints on the Street, More than Gold national drama tour
Pages 14-15 Mission Forum: Welcome to the start of a conversation
Pages 16-19 Christmas: Stories from Get in the Picture and this year’s competition, Christmas crossingplaces Mission
File, Christingle resources, Meaningful Chocolate tree decorations (page 23)
Pages 20-22 Youth, Children and Family Workers: News of events and resources suitable for those working with children, young people and families
Just a child?, Toddler Group Rocks!, Getting your Kids through Church, Youthwork Conference, Biblefresh children and youth resources, Messy Teenagers conference, Hand in Hand conference, EBF Present Future lectures, Bag of Hope for Halloween, Seasonal Resources for All Saints’ Day, Free Church Education Committee newsletter
Page 23 A final word
Page 24 Contact details: Get in touch with your local representative on the Fellowship of Baptists in Britain and Ireland
are where we are:• with non-believers• with the intent to be, to do, to say and to think as Christ would in the situation
• with an expectancy that something transformational will happenA crossingplace may involve us as part of a whole
church event, in a smaller group of which we are
part, or on our own in our daily living.
is a bi-monthly publication of the Fellowship of Baptists in Britain and Ireland
Sign up to receive a direct link to each new edition at www.fbbi.eu
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A big welcome to this second edition of the new look missionscene, offered to you as a resource from the recently established FBBI Mission Forum. Hopefully some of you may also have been involved in offering a Big Welcome to people who are trying out church for a first, second or third time following the special Sunday resource on 25 September.
Can you imagine how difficult this is for someone who is new to it all? Try going into a gym for the first time and maybe you’ll get the feeling. You don’t even know the lay-out of the place and everybody else seems to be at home there. People wear strange clothes, do strange things they wouldn’t do anywhere else, close their eyes to concentrate on their fitness regime, and don’t respond when you try to talk to them. You feel a right lemon!
Things that help are a friendly but not overbearing receptionist, a plan of the building - especially any facilities for children, and showing the location of the toilets - name badges, a good noticeboard or bookshop/card area that you can browse in rather than look silly, explanations of what goes on and why, an introduction to a friend of similar age and interest who will give time to you and remember your name, and the option to run away if you feel like it! Plus a card that you can sign if you’d like someone to follow up the visit.
How are we doing? Do we offer all of that? Have we made an effort to contact anyone who gave us their details...even if it’s only to help us with an evaluation of the experience.
Autumn gives us lots of opportunities for outreach: harvest barbecues for allotment holders; autumn health walks; fair trade campaigns; peace vigils alongside Remembrance Day events; candlelit Advent prayer services where the first and second comings of Christ are anticipated; Get in the Picture; and perhaps a little time set aside for special attention to those for whom Christmas this year brings only sadness.
But it’s not just about inviting people to church. It’s about finding those crossingplaces where everyday life and the sacrificial love of Christ for the world intersect. Reaching out to people at their point of need ... Parish nursing is just one of many ways churches can do that, developing resources. (Know a nurse? Point them to www.parishnursing.org.uk).
Street pastors, divorce care and debt counselling are other ways. Or simply opening your building during the week as a coffee shop where those who are lonely or who work alone can drop in, read the paper, get online, meet others, and have a decent (fair-trade) cup of coffee. Read on for more ideas!
The Revd Helen WordsworthRegional Minister/Mission Enabler for the
Central Baptist Association and UK Coordinator for Parish Nursing Ministries UK
Calling all Christian Nurses, Midwives and Health visitors
If you’re interested in the concept of Parish Nursing, take a look at: www.parishnursing.org.uk.
Bookings are now being taken for the next Parish Nursing introductory course which is 17-20 October at IMC, Birmingham.
And if you’re not sure but you’d just like to meet some parish nurses and explore the idea then book in for the Parish Nursing annual symposium in Market Harborough, 20-21 November.
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A number of day and residential events are available throughout the year with inspiring speakers, the
opportunity to share ideas and encouragement, and meet with others working in similar situations. Please book your place at events as early as possible and note that some venues have limited space - places
may fill up before the closing date.
Coming up later this year are the following events being planned by the Baptist Unions:
bapt is tassembly inscot land.org27th – 29th October 2011
Rural Churches DayThursday 20 October Thornbury Baptist Church, Gloucestershire
Becoming your community’s heartbeatA day being jointly organised by the Baptist Union of Great Britain and the Baptist Union of Wales for ministers and those in leadership roles in rural churches (eg deacons, moderators, etc).
Speaker: Simon Mattholie - CEO, Rural Ministries
For more information and to book see www.baptist.org.uk/events.html
Being Church for the Boomer Generation?23 - 25 November 2011High Leigh Conference Centre, Hoddesdon
This conference for church leaders will enable them to set and resource a Boomer mission agenda for local churches. The conference will look at:
• how we can re-engage who have residual Christian faith but have left church
• the ways of relating with those other spiritualities• what church will look like to connect with this
generation.For more information see:
www.baptist.org.uk/events.html
Baptist Christians making a difference wherever they are
- a day for church groups
Speakers: Ian Bunce and Kathryn Morgan Dates: Saturday 1 October - Colchester Saturday 12 November - Burton Latimer
For more information and to book see www.baptist.org.uk/events.html
days
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Toddler Group Rocks!Tuesday 25 OctoberAlbany Road Baptist Church, Cardiff
Baptist churches are renowned for toddler groups – these groups are doing well in serving their communities, providing a welcoming, enjoyable and safe environment. Toddler Group Rocks! days are for encouraging group leaders and helping ministers and deacons make Toddler Groups integral to church mission strategy - looking at the ‘stepping stones’ that can be added to make them crossingplaces. Speakers: Fiona Burt - 1277 Group Richard Hardy - Baptist Minister and Director
of the Entheos TrustKathryn Morgan - BUGB Mission AdviserClaire Wells - Parent Toddler Groups
TogetherFor more information see:
www.baptist.org.uk/events.html
What difference can 1,277 days make?
During the first 1,277 days of a child’s life they’ll generally learn to walk, talk, feed themselves and use the toilet. They will change from being a newborn baby to starting in nursery education. This means that they have, on average, 1,277 days where they’re able to be a member of a toddler group. And for over 1.6 million of them in the UK, that means going to a church!
Numerically this makes toddler groups one of the most important crossing-places that our churches have. Whilst only 1 in 10 adults now attend weekly services and 1 in 5 young people attend a church youth group, over half of the UK’s under 4s are part of a church-based toddler group.
They’re brought to these groups because they offer a safe place to play, where they can learn vital social skills and take part in activities such as group singing and simple craft sessions. And accompanying this swarm of toddlers into our churches are a wide variety of adult carers who are looking for somewhere warm and welcoming where they can relax, have a coffee and chat with others who are also engaged in the exhausting task of caring for pre-school children.
How many other church activities are there which attract mums, dads, grandparents, childminders, nannies, people of all ages and backgrounds, people who go to church as well as those from other faiths and those with no faith at all? The first 1,277 days of a child’s life are a valuable opportunity for the church to support, encourage and equip all those people who have a front-line role in raising the next generation, as well as sharing the gospel with them.
Because the first 1,277 days of a child’s life are so foundational we need to make them count; for the children, for the carers and for the toddler group leaders too. It’s easy to get involved in this great work, most toddler group leaders would welcome your support; whether this is getting out the toys, making the coffee or chatting to people to make them feel welcome. For more ideas speak to your toddler group leader, come along to the Toddler Group Rocks! day or email Fiona Burt at [email protected]
Fiona Burt
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Church Planting 101, BristolSaturday, 1st October 2011
Can’t make Bristol? Church Planting 101 in Cardiff the week after - www.incarnate-network.eu/cp101cardiff
Church planting Fresh expressions of church Emerging churches Incarnational communitiesChurch Planting 101, CardiffSaturday, 8th October 2011
Can’t make Cardiff? Church Planting 101 in Bristol the week before - www.incarnate-network.eu/cp101bristol
Church planting Fresh expressions of church Emerging churches Incarnational communities
www.incarnate-network.eu/cp101bristolwww.incarnate-network.eu/cp101cardiff
Christian New Media ConferenceEnabling you to make an impact online 15 October 2011, 09:00 - 17:20City University LondonTickets £27.50So often it can feel like with all the opportunities afforded by new media it should be easier to make an impact online. We read of other people’s success but are left trying to figure out how we can make it work for our blog, business, church etc...
The Christian New Media Conference helps people with honest advice from over 25 expert speakers and a choice of 20 breakout sessions, so there is something for everyone.
www.christiannewmedia.com
Micah 2011: Sunday October 16th
On Sunday 16 October, churches around the world will be holding a focus event called Micah 2011 - Fast, Pray, Rebuild. It’s a chance to pray and take action about poverty and injustice in your
local community that can have a global impact. Micah 2011 is designed to help you create a service based on these three themes. Download prayer and action ideas as well as preaching notes from www.micahchallenge.org/campaigns/micah-2011
10@Work - LICC lunchtime lecture series, Autumn 2011
Exploring the Ten Commandments and their application for today’s workplace
For ten Wednesdays (beginning 21 September) John Parmiter will give a short lunchtime lecture on each commandment, working back from number ten to number one. Each lecture unpacks the issue in the light of the workplace.
Time: 13:00-13:40 followed by 10 minutes Q&AAt: LICC, St Peter’s, Vere Street, London W1G 0DQCost: Free - bring your sandwich, drinks available.
To book your place for one or more of the lectures, email [email protected] or call 020 7399 9555.
Evangelism at Work
Monday 3 October6:30pm-8:30pm
At: LICC, St Peter’s, Vere Street, London W1G 0DQCost: £7 (£5 concession)
There’s a lot, lot more to being faithful at work than evangelism but it can’t be ignored either. So in the context of today’s diverse, pressured, politically correct workplaces, how do we go about cooperating with God in evangelism amongst those we relate to day by day?
Martien Kelderman, a speaker, pastor and business man, explores the calling to reach out - a calling which needs you to be you...
Find out more, and book your place, at: www.licc.org.uk/about-licc/events/evangelism-at-work-yes-really-3-oct-2011-1245
or email [email protected] or call 020 7399 9555.
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Bible Sunday - 23 October 2011
Celebrate Bible Sunday on 23 October or whichever date suits your church best. To help churches make the most of Bible Sunday 2011, Bible Society has produced a comprehensive set of free service materials, with the theme ‘The People’s Bible’ recognising that the Bible is for all people, at all times, and able to change both individuals and societies.
A diverse range of contributors, such as Joel Edwards (Micah Challenge), Ian Henderson (Message Trust) and Jan Dean (a freelance children’s writer), have created the Bible Sunday 2011 resources - including sermon notes, prayers, materials for children and young people, a drama sketch and more. Download free of charge from: www.biblesociety.org.uk/about-bible-society/what-we-do-in-england-and-wales/bible-sunday-2011.
Why not use Bible Sunday as an opportunity to launch the Lyfe resource?
The high lyfe From the ski slopes of Val d’Isere to a pub church in south London, Bible Society’s expanded lyfe resource is refreshing lives in places other discipleship materials fail to reach.
A church meeting in a London pub and UK workers in a ski community on the French–Italian border – they’re just two of the many groups discovering a deeper life with God.
The answer lyfe offers is to draw on the breadth and depths of Christian spirituality and do this in company of a group of friends you can learn and grow with.
‘lyfe offers an entry level exploration into the Bible and spiritual practices,’ says lyfe coordinator Rob Hare: ‘spiritual disciplines that have helped
and sustained Christians over the centuries – like memorising Scripture, keeping our body healthy, fasting and generosity.’
It’s these creative challenges that have special appeal for 31-year-old John Goddard, a street pastor and member of Be Church which meets over food and drink in a south London pub. ‘I like the challenges. They help you take the passage and consider what you can do differently to come close to God and experience him in a different way.’
Some five hundred miles away, amid the snowfields of the Val d’Isère ski resort, the swish of skis rather than the clack of cue on snooker ball is the backdrop for another lyfe group.
Josh King is one of twenty of so people who meet in V-Spot, a bar at the foot of the ski slopes. As the 19-year-old snowboarder admits, he has strayed a bit from the Christian faith of his family, but, with the help of lyfe, he’s coming back to it. ‘I think everyone that grows up in a Christian family moves away from God at one point so they can start afresh on their own journey,’ he says.
For Switch and for Be Church, lyfe is opening fresh springs of spiritual life – both for new Bible readers and for old hands. In a year when many are making fresh starts with the Bible, perhaps it could do the same in your neighbourhood.
All lyfe resources are free to view and download at lyfe.org.uk
Rob Hare - lyfe coordinator
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By offering two-year learning communities for church leadership teams who share similar ministry contexts, Lead Academy uses a distinctive and creative approach to equipping leaders and helping churches fulfil their vision.
Taster Days - discover what Lead Academy can offer you.
Leamington Spa - Tuesday 15 November Manchester - Thursday 24 November Bristol - Tuesday 17 January 2012St Albans - Thursday 19 January 2012
Lead Academy is led by Baptist minister Chris Stoddard and further information is available at www.leadacademy.netor email [email protected]
a cis conference to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible.
Images: NASA and STScI, National Cancer Institute
London conference 2011
Register at www.cis.org.uk or e-mail [email protected]
How do we Know anything? - Dominic Smart World Views in the context of scientific Knowledge - John Bimson applying scripture to Understanding a World in crisis - Bob White
How does God act in the World? - Lydia Jaeger Faith in a World of science - Rodney Holder
saturday 12th November 2011 st paul’s, Robert adam street, London, W1U 3Hp
£20 cis members, £25 non members, £10 students
The Bible and Modern Science
A Christians in Science day conference to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible
Saturday 12 NovemberSt Paul’s, Robert Adam Street, London W1U 3HP
The talks will cover a range of topics at the interface of our understanding of both the Bible and Science – “How do we know anything?”, “World views in the context of scientific knowledge”, “Applying scripture to understanding a world in crisis”, “How does God act in the world?” and “Faith in a world of science.”
For more information and to register see www.cis.org.uk or contact [email protected].
Cost: £25 (£20 for current CiS members, £10 for full-time students).
Incarnate Houseparty
Calling church planters ... Incarnate has just confirmed the dates of the 2012 Houseparty at Somersal Cottages, Derbyshire as 20-22 March. Full details to follow - or check the Incarnate website http://incarnate-network.eu for the latest information.
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Christianity.org.uk
This feels like the most significant thing I have done in my life ever. EVER!
During this year 17,000 people have visited www.christianity.org.uk. And through the website I am getting emails day after day from people who have never been to a church but feel compelled to find out whether the Christian faith can make sense of their lives. I am loving these conversations, seeing people encounter Jesus for the first time.
There is S, who is so determined to have a new life with the strength that faith has given her that she has gone to rehab. There is I, who feels so different in the church we have linked him up with that he has changed his name to mark it. There is J who wrote, ‘What you are telling me is not what I expected at all. Something in me is changing.’
It’s fantastic!
The website itself is an encyclopaedia of what Christians believe. From the privacy of their computer, people can read about Jesus, about faith, about love, death, sex, suffering and enjoying life to the full.
Anyone exploring the site is invited to click a button to contact the Christian Enquiry Agency by email. We can send them a Gospel, answer a question, pray for them, find them a welcoming church or start an email conversation – whatever they ask for!
The latest development is that from September 2011 it is possible to access the website on any i-Phone, Blackberry or Android while you are out and about. A new mobile version of the site has got us ready for the age in which people expect immediate information wherever they happen to be. You don’t need to download anything or be knowledgeable about technology. All you need to do is type www.christianity.org.uk into a smart-phone and you will find what you need. Try it now!
Please link to us from your own website (instructions about how to do it in an eye-catching way are at www.christianity.org.uk/link). Or just write www.christianity.org.uk at the foot of every email, church newsletter or poster. That’s all you need to do - we will do all the rest!
Peter GraystoneCoordinator of the Christian Enquiry Agency
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BMS Harvest Resource 2011
The SACREDSOIL appeal is about planting seeds in broken places. A community in the sacred valley of Peru receives practical and spiritual help after floods destroyed their crops. Members of a newly-planted church share their personal stories after receiving the seeds of the gospel.
The DVD includes a short video ideal for any harvest service, a reflection on the parable of the soils, a sermon outline, all -age resources, a poster and a leader’s guide. There is also a 20-minute cookery feature with ex –celebrity chef, Scott Williamson, that is perfect for hosting a Peruvian evening meal at any time of the year. Order your free DVD and harvest gift envelopes from www.bmsworldmission.org/harvest or contact BMS resources on 01235 517617.
Alternatively you may like to request a BMS speaker from www.bmsworldmission.org/speakers
John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress: an interactive guide for seniors
John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress is a wonderful story about a pilgrim called Christian and his adventures as he tries to find his way to the City of Gold (heaven). Liz Stacey has developed an interactive study guide which she’s used with some 80 and 90 year old seniors to help them gain a greater understanding of what the Christian life is all about, especially the wonderful provision of eternal life God has made through Jesus. Many found faith, and all experienced comfort.
The study guide costs £25 + p&p and is full of interesting ideas, dramas, and relevant artwork for each session. In fact everything you need to run your group. You need only one copy per church or group as copyright permission is given for making up to 10 copies of anything you need.
To order a copy, or find out more, contact Liz Stacey on [email protected] or 01962 808783.
Bible Messages for Today - a new publication coming soon
Thank you to everyone who has contributed their modern day psalms and parables over the past few months. We’ve received a great many thought-provoking, uplifting, and inspiring entries and these are now being compiled into this new booklet, to be available later in the Autumn. Why not give a copy or two this Christmas and inspire others with these reminders of God at work through all the seasons in our lives.
Copies will be available from the BUGB online store from late November at £6 + p&p. Pre-order your copies by 31 October from the BUGB Mission Department for the special offer price of £5.50 per copy including p&p. Find the pre-publication order form at www.baptist.org.uk/discipleship/confident-discipleship/bible-fresh.html?start=1
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Easter resource is relaunched
HOPE are relaunching their highly popular Easter resource for 2012 – to help churches make the most of this all-important Christian festival
Thousands of people have already been inspired for mission. Churches of different denominations have joined forces in outreach. And it’s partly because of Hope For Easter – a 64-page resource that offers a stream of ideas to help congregations make the most of this all-important Christian festival.
More than 2,000 copies were sold in the run-up to Easter 2011. And to keep up the momentum, the nationwide initiative HOPE and publishers Authentic are relaunching it for 2012. The book includes:
• more than 20 mission ideas;• small group studies from Church Army;• youth group materials by Soul Action.
There are also inspiring articles from the likes of Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams, Evangelical Alliance General Director Steve Clifford and Andy Hawthorne OBE from The Message Trust.
‘Churches have been joining together to make an even bigger impact on their communities with this resource,’ said HOPE Executive Director Roy Crowne. ‘They’re rediscovering the opportunities Lent and Easter give us – to keep telling the story of Jesus.
‘And this is just one part of our vision for HOPE over the coming years. We’re building towards 2014. That’s when we’re aiming to get thousands of churches across the nation to undertake a whole year of mission.’
A church in the remote northern Highlands marked Lent and Easter in a fresh way this year. From pancake parties to reflective services, the Melness and Tongue Church of Scotland helped their small community to experience the true meaning of Easter.
After being inspired by the HOPE for Easter resource, Minister Stewart Goudie has been encouraging his congregation to get to know their neighbours even better and invite them along to Easter events. The Revd Stewart Goudie said: “With only around 600 people in the whole area we were really pleased with the numbers we had along to the pancake parties [over 40], because that represents roughly 7% of the community. Many of these people were not in touch with the Church before now.” “We love the HOPE idea of giving something back to our little community and pointing to Jesus at the same time.”
Copies of Hope For Easter can be ordered by phoning 01788 542 782 or through the
website www.hopetogether.org.uk
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Good News People
Good News People is a network for those who have something to say about God. They are individuals who have a heart for or an interest in or a responsibility regarding evangelism. They might even be those with the gift of the evangelist. For more information see: www.goodnewspeople.org
Sharing Faith the Jesus Way: book review
‘There is your story, there is the story of the other person, and there is God’s story in Jesus’.
(page 17).
This book also emphasises, again following Jesus, the importance of deep listening on our side if the other person is ever going to hear.
The next chapters, which are the core of the book, consist of:1 Jesus accepts you as you are2 Jesus respects the other person and sees their
need3 God’s love is the key to the Gospel4 Prayer, care and share good news5 Accompanying those who follow Jesus6 Your journey; going on with God.
Each chapter is broken down into helpful sub-sections, and groups of these are stimulated with ‘follow up activities’.
Supporting the use of the book there are six sermon outlines, six study notes for home groups (trialled in churches), plus other resources. By it; read it; use it, share it!
David SpriggsBible Society: Bible and Church consultant
Sharing Faith the Jesus WayAuthor: Jim Currin
Publisher: BRF (July 2011)ISBN: 978 18410 1862 1
RRP: £7.99
This book benefits from Jim Currin’s experience as an evangelist with the Church Army and his awareness of contemporary cultural challenges for evangelism as Secretary for the Churches Together in England Group for Evangelisation. He has the gift of writing with clarity. His passion is to help ordinary Christians overcome their anxieties about evangelism and help them do it.
Jim identified the top 50 sayings of Jesus, relating to sharing the Gospel. He has used these to create this book and other resources. The apparent simplicity of this approach should not be confused with ignorance of naïveté.
Jesus’ words indicate ‘diversity and inclusion’; he had no set formula or approach when it came to explaining and involving people in the new life of God’s Kingdom which he came to bring. So, we can be flexible in how we present the Gospel – both in terms of the language and the contexts we use but also in utilising approaches which fit our personality. In the introduction Jim tackles contemporary concerns about evangelism, whether it is appropriate anyway and how you can do it in a resistant society. He likes the model of ‘witness’ and values the approach which seeks to connect three stories.
Eight Great Books on Church Planting!
With so many books on church planting, it’s difficult to know which ones to buy and which to ignore. Graham Doel has put together a fantastic guide with some great recommendations. Have a look at http://incarnate-network.eu/articles/8-books-on-church-planting
Saints on the streetWhile many churches invited people into church for The Big Welcome another idea is to take church onto the streets. Baptist Evangelist Chris Duffett regularly takes out groups onto the streets on Sunday mornings and other times. You can read about his many fruitful ideas in his blog http://duffett.wordpress.com/
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The 2012 Olympics gives the UK church an unprecedented opportunity to engage with contemporary culture. To help churches engage in mission for the Olympics, four drama companies are on tour in 2012.
National Tours
• Saltmine Theatre Company will tour with In Their Shoes – a collaboration with a Muslim Theatre Company. The theme is that it’s possible to get along with others in spite of our differences, and focuses on a pair of sports trainers the Muslim (Stripe) and Christian (Spot) that neighbours are fighting over. Ideal for primary schools and all age community events. Details are available from the Saltmine Theatre Company
• Lantern Arts Centre will tour with their version of Dangerous Jouney. In celebration of the 2012 Games, the team has revised the classic Bunyan play based on one man’s race. With music by Paul Field, this production is relevant for all ages. Details are available from the Lantern Arts Centre
• Riding Lights will tour nationally between March and June 2012 with Monsieur de Coubertin’s Magnificent Opymlic© Feat! It goes back to the roots of the modern Games, bringing together the company’s church-linked audience with a new audience of people passionate about sport. Those interesting in hosting the tour should contact [email protected]
• Act 4 will tour with Star Citizen 2012, a record breaking interactive games show for primary schools, community groups and churches. It connects with the 2012 Games by encouraging children to reach for their potential.
See the More than Gold website for more details
The Creative and Performing Arts team will give local churches and national Christian arts groups an opportunity to serve in the context of mission initiatives including Community festivals and Hospitality Centres.
How can performers and artists get involved? More Than Gold is producing a list of performers and artists for local churches to book. Those who would like to be included should contact [email protected]
UK Artists ListThe list of musicians, comedians and theatre groups you could book for local events is being compiled.
International ArtistsUp to 1,000 performers may be coming from overseas to serve churches free of charge. Priority will be given to churches in host cities and towns including those with official Live Sites.
Churches interested in hosting international guests should contact [email protected]
www.morethangold.org.uk
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Welcome to the start of a conversationMissionscene is a publication that comes out of the Mission Forum. It therefore feels appropriate to share our conversations with you, and invite readers to comment and send in further thoughts for our consideration.
Firstly, a bit about the Mission Forum. This is made up with representatives of the Baptist Unions of Wales, Scotland, Great Britain, Irish Network of churches, BMS World Mission and the member colleges. We meet together four times a year. We do this under the banner of the fellowship of Baptists in Britain and Ireland (www.fbbi.eu). We have begun a conversation which we have called ‘Missional Spirituality’. Thinking about mission often begins with programmes and resources. We have tried to start at the place of ‘What are we called to be?’ At this stage, it is more of a series of questions that will hopefully help to shape our living, both as individuals and as a gathered body.
The key question is ‘What if I, and the church I belong to, were made in the image of God?’ Of course you say you are! Yet as a group, we reflected that maybe we have recreated God into our image, thereby limiting God and our understanding of him. We have shaped God into that which we can mould and understand, and even much of our practice and theology has begun from our understanding. From this starting place we considered the following:
What does this mean to our gathered and individual:• Discipleship and vocation?• Permission to take risks?• Unconditional love?• Justice and environment?• Action: physical, mental, community and spiritual?• Lifestyle and character?
Everything is rooted in the central ‘image of God: Father, Son, Holy Spirit’ - seeing the image of God in each person, being an encouragement to one another. Seeking to discover the image of God in ourselves, our churches and structures.
Discipleship and Vocation – has an element of call and cost. What does it mean to follow our costly calling and be sacrificial disciples in following Christ? Often
this something limited to leaders and not seen as for all disciples There is a need to move from ‘self’ to ‘selflessness’. When Jesus’ call to “follow me” is heard, it is about living 100% for him in our everyday life, with a willingness to take on the cost of following him in a confusing world.
Questions that may help to think through this: • How are you currently shaping others? How are
you shaping yourself?• What do you think it means to be a disciple?• What are the barriers to you intentionally forming
disciples … what might you do about them and when?
Permission to take risks – a sense of vulnerability in mission. Wouldn’t it be great to do the easy thing? But if we take on the missional call of Christ in his image, it is truly about taking risks and going outside of our safety zones, moving beyond a ‘safe’ way of working and allowing a freedom to experiment. This is done in the context of God’s grace beyond failure and having a strong sense of confidence in the gospel beyond the safe places.
Questions that may help to think through this: • Are you willing to go/sacrifice/take risks even
though you may never see the fruit, because of your absolute belief in God?
• Are you willing to release/support people in these kinds of ventures without rewards? eg More church members, higher income, notoriety!?
• How do we share lessons and get shaped by the stories, both negative and positive, with integrity?
• How do we get high accountability with low control?
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Unconditional love – foundation of all we are about The truth of the gospel is that it is unconditional love, outrageous generosity, amazing grace! To live in the image of God is to mirror that love to the community, world and people we encounter day by day, showing this love to others. Values that inform this are: to listen deeply and learn from others, giving freedom of choice; respecting the other; and time spent with non-church people.
Questions that may help to think through this: • How does your faith impact the use of your time?• How is your church blessing the community
around it?• What activities do you intentionally engage in that
are outside of your comfort zone, are a blessing to others and demonstrate the love of Christ?
• How does your faith inform the way you interact with people or organisations you do not agree with?
Justice and environment – things we talk about in churchWe are called to care for all creation, to have a bias to the poor, to care about green issues, embrace fair trade, stand up against injustice and let our voice be heard in political engagement. God is concerned about the whole world - we too should be.
Questions that may help to think through this: • What are you involved with?• Why do these things matter?• Where do you get the inspiration /energy for this?• Where is God in the environmental issues, and
situations of injustice around you?
Lifestyle and character – guiding principles. All the characteristics above are shaped by the people we are. If we truly offer our whole lives to God and our discipleship is real, it should affect our lifestyles and character. From the fruits of the spirit to the behaviours and habits we have. Missional spirituality is who we have become in Christ. It informs our worship, integrity, work, values, relationships and value. This is genuine counter-cultural living.
Questions that may help to think through this: • Do the values around this reflect the values of
Christ? • Is the way you go about it consistent with the
values of Christ?• How is this an act of worship?• How would you develop a more Christ-like
character? The values of Christ are a springboard
from which comes mission. What is the difference between respectability and Christ-centred character? Cultural and counter-cultural.
This section has caused us to start to ask what are the values of Christ? We are going to do further work on this. We will report on this in a future edition of missionscene.
Action: Physical, mental, community, spiritual We need to have an awareness of need within our communities and create appropriate intervention, concern, trust, resources, reconciliation/healing communities. To be made aware, we need to inhabit and be a part of the community with the eyes of Christ. This can be done through prayer walking or similar, but is best done by an incarnational moving in and belonging.
Questions that may help to think through this: • What needs do you identify in your work/
neighbourhood/church context?• What appropriate action might you take to begin
to meet those needs?
We are called to make a difference to our community, with the people where God has placed us; sharing faith in the places where people find themselves. Mission is not what we do, it is who we are to the deepest level. We need to respond to needs in the places where God has placed us – be the light of Christ in every setting, not just in ‘church activities’. In this world and in our community we are the representatives of Christ; living with an intentional attentiveness to God in every aspect of life, listening to his prompting, making a difference and bringing hope.
An Invitation:
We invite you from these notes to join in our conversation. Some questions you may wish to engage with are:• Have we recreated God and the church in our
image? How do we redeem this?• What are the values of Christ?• What is missing?• What more would you like to say?
The Mission Forum meets again at the end of November and will take the conversation further at this stage. We would love to hear from you. To add to the conversation please send your comments to [email protected]
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Last year, 76 towns across the UK took part in Get in the Picture. The idea came from The Light Project and is simple - build a nativity scene, get some dressing up clothes, put it in the town centre, shopping place, school fair (or wherever you can!) and get passers-by to dress up and have their photos taken in a nativity scene. They can then download their photo from the website the next day.
The initiative encourages people to talk about the meaning of Christmas, and the Get in the Picture website also includes testimonies and information about the Christmas story. Why not plan to do Get in the Picture as a cluster and share your nativity scene and clothes across a few towns? This can also be a great opportunity for ‘Churches Together’ in your area to work together and share resources, expertise and time. You only need to register your town once, no matter how many times you run the event. Read here about how churches in Oxford, Peterborough and Christchurch brought Get in the Picture to their towns.
This year we’ve produced a new Mission File with all the information you need to get started on your local Get in the Picture event, or find out more from the website www.getinthepicture.org.uk
Get in the Picture at New Road Baptist Church, OxfordIt’s quite hard to hold a camera steady when you are overcome with helpless laughter, and indeed one of my strongest memories of running Get In The Picture was that it was enormous fun. After participants had overcome their initial hesitation and mild embarassment, they quickly got into character and usually posed in a way which was both funny and poignant. I had to use all my powers of persuasion to get some people to give it a go, but once persuaded, they entered into it with great enthusiasm.
Amidst the excitement of finding the right costume, and the laughter once the costume was on, there were little pockets of poignancy. The people taking part came from a variety of backgrounds, and I found it quite moving to see them connect with the Christmas story in such a unique way.
On the Sunday before Christmas, we turned some of the photos into a powerpoint presentation for the all-age service. Accompanied by the soundtrack - ‘Step Into Christmas’ the congregation alternated between hooting with laughter and surreptitiously dabbing their eyes as the extraordinary and bizarre spectacle of familiar shepherds, wise men and angels unfolded before them.
We chose to run our event outdoors rather than inside a church. In the middle of a public square in the city centre of Oxford, Get In The Picture provided a strong feature and talking-point for the bustling shoppers around. Interesting conversations came thick and fast, and lots of invitations were given to Christmas services and activities.
Kathryn BracewellMinister of New Road Baptist Church
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Love came down at ChristmasHaving had two very successful years, we, in Peterborough, are looking forward to yet another ‘Get in the Picture’ event. Churches Together in Central Peterborough decided to take part in this initiative in 2009. It was truly an ecumenical project and included Park Road Baptist Church, the Cathedral and three other Anglican churches, All Souls RC, Westgate (Methodist/URC) and the Quakers.
Inspired and encouraged by the Revd Chris Duffett, a small working group started planning for the 2009 event – known in Peterborough as ‘Love came down at Christmas’ – not really knowing what we were letting ourselves in for. We took the very ambitious step of taking on an empty shop unit for three weeks in the run up to Christmas and worked hard designing signage, the backdrop for the photographs, costumes, an authentic stable scene... the list was endless, and that was before the risk assessments (including a donkey risk assessment), the fire officer’s inspection, the PAT
testing, but it was deemed such a success that it was all worth it. That first year we were open for a total of 12 days or part days offering free mince pies and refreshments as well as the ‘Get in the Picture’ element.
Our second year we were lucky enough to have the same premises, so much of it was easy. We did, however hold two volunteer training sessions, which made a real difference. We had started planning for this as early as June, and art students from a local secondary school were enlisted to design and make a wonderful backdrop, in appliqué, for the photographs. And so we had another successful year, despite the donkey doing what donkeys do right in the middle of the Mayor’s speech.
We are now planning for our third year – this time operating from St John’s Church (which has undergone an amazing transformation) right in the city centre. So we’ll be ready with the mince pies, coffees and smiles, camera at the ready.
Jo VernonChurches Together in Central Peterborough
Carol singing outside the shop
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Competition - Are you taking part in Get in the Picture this year?
We always love to hear about your crossingplaces and how you get on with particular initiatives. This year we’re holding a competition to find the town with the best nativity scene, so take a photo of your scene and submit it via the Get in the Picture website.
There is no one way that a nativity scene has to look. You can be as creative and adventurous as you like, safety permitting. Perhaps, like the churches in Peterborough, you could invite art students at your local school to get involved in helping you to design and create your nativity scene?
Some of the best nativity scenes allow room for animals and plenty of straw bales, but a simple scene can also make a big impact.
We look forward to seeing how creative you can be!
Christmas crossingplaces
Seasonal events in the year give churches many opportunities to connect with their community, and now’s a good time to be planning ways to share the story of God’s gift to us at Christmas. To help you with this BUGB has produced a ‘Christmas Crossingplaces’ Mission File which is available to download free of charge from the ‘seasonal resources’ section of the Mission Files library (www.baptist.org.uk/resources-events/missionfiles.html).
It includes a variety of suggestions that have come from individuals and churches who have tried them out in recent years.
Get in the Picture in Christchurch
On Saturday 27 November 2010, passers-by in Bargates were invited to drop into Christchurch Baptist Church’s Christian Centre to be part of ‘Get In The Picture’. All the usual roles were up for grabs, Mary and Joseph, the shepherds and the wise men, and there was even a live donkey!
The free event was organised by the church as part of their free ‘Messy Christmas’ event for the Christchurch Christmas Festival. Local families were also invited into the church to enjoy refreshments and have fun making Christmas craft activities to explore the real meaning of Christmas.
Church minister Sandra Prudom said: “At this often frantic time of year we wanted to show people that Christmas is about love and fun for all the family, and we hoped that many people would come and explore the real Christmas story. Our hope was that by taking part personally it would become much more than just a story for them and feel a lot more real.”
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The Children’s Society Christingle
A better childhood. For every child. www.christingle.org
For over 40 years The Children’s Society Christingle has been a key part of celebrations within churches and has raised essential funds to support the charity’s work with vulnerable children and young people in the UK.
Thanks to celebrations held up and down the country last year, and the support of thousands of volunteers, we raised over £1 million… and now it’s time to get ready for this year’s celebration.
By taking part in The Children’s Society Christingle you can have a wonderful celebration in your church, welcoming children and families from your area. Together, we can raise vital funds and reach out to children and young people in your community and across the UK.
Our new FREE resources are now available and include collection candles and envelopes, practical service suggestions, wax candles and a wide range of activities for children to help share the message.
Simply visit www.christingle.org for more information and order your resources today. Thank you!
Charity Registration No. 221124 Photograph modelled for The Children’s Society | © Laurence Dutton
Light up children’s lives with The Children’s Society Christingle
Christ ngle
Christ ngle
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Working with churches around the UK, Arise Ministries is passionate about supporting, challenging and enabling them to think about how they can reach the children of their communities. Over the next year, Arise is launching a number of Regional Equipping Events: opportunities for Christians to gather together and to consider how they can help children to discover Jesus and grow as His disciples.
In October, two of these new events are taking place in Essex, on the 1st in Maldon and on the 8th in Basildon. These conferences are open to any who want children to hear about Jesus and who want to grapple with how they can play an on-going and growing part in sharing Jesus with the children of their community.
The programme for the events in October will look at how we can both reach children with the gospel and then also help to release them with the gospel. Running from 9.00am till 3.30pm with refreshments and lunch included, the days will be interactive in their style, wanting to engage with those who come and begin to respond to their individual situations. Those who attend either of the days will go away with practical ideas of how to engage and connect with children, on-going questions to consider as to the part they and their churches should be playing in this vital ministry and steps to begin reaching out to the children of their communities. Please note the programme for both the October Equipping Events is the same.
Led by Ed Jones, Executive Director of Arise Ministries, these events are an opportunity to meet others with a desire to see Jesus make a difference in the lives of children. In preparing for the events, Ed says “The potential simply of gathering those who are serious about playing a part in helping the children of their communities, of this land and beyond, become missionary disciples of God’s son Jesus, is massive. We’re really excited.”
We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation.
(Psalm 78:4)
To find out more about Arise Ministries and the October Equipping Events, please contact:
telephone: 01268 530531email: [email protected]: www.ariseministries.org.uk
Arise MinistriesPhoenix Court, Christopher Martin Road,
Basildon, Essex SS14 3EZ
Regional Equipping Event
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Getting Your Kids Through Church Every year, thousands of young people leave the church and for many of us, this is a personal concern. However many of them don’t actually turn their back on God, but on something else.
This tour, presented by Care for the Family, is an opportunity for parents, church leaders and youth workers to join Rob Parsons, Saltmine Theatre Company and Phatfish to discover together what that ‘something’ might be, and try to change it.
Six venues across the UK will be hosting the tour during November. Find out about your nearest one at www.gettingyourkidsthroughchurch.org.uk/events
Toddler Group RocksTuesday 25 October
Albany Road Baptist Church, CardiffFor more information see:
www.baptist.org.uk/events.html
Seep5
Messy TeenagersAre you a young helper at Messy Church? Would you like to help Messy Churches internationally to be better at welcoming teenagers? Come to a day for teenagers who help at Messy Churches across the UK and their accompanying adults.
Saturday 21 January 2012 - 11:00-16:00Methodist Church House in central London
The day is aimed at young people between the ages of 11-18 with accompanying adults. If you are above this age, please bring a young person with you!
Cost: £5 for under 18’s and 18 year olds and £10 for over 18’s and includes lunch. For more information, see: www.messychurch.org.uk/pages/6233.htm
Hand in hand conferenceFriday 3 - Sunday 5 FebruaryWhether you have been involved in children’s or family ministry for years or are just starting as a volunteer, the Hand-in-Hand weekend conference in Eastbourne is a great place to be.
You’ll find seminars, workshops, ministry showcases, exhibiting organisations and resources that are helpful to you. There will also be time to worship, pray and study the Bible together – sending you home resourced, refreshed and reinvigorated for your work with children and families.
To encourage you to bring your junior leaders along, there is a half-price ticket for under 21s and some sessions aimed particularly at them.
For more information and to book your place, visit www.familyministry.co.uk/conferences.
Biblefresh has launched a fantastic new section of its website focussed on youth and children’s resources, including videos, books and Bibles. Have a look at: www.biblefresh.com/children-and-youth
Youthwork the conference helping young people become world changersEastbourne, 18-20 November Faith is about living in the future now, knowing that God has called us to bring hope to the world. This is what youth workers know and do – day in, day out, week in, week out. If you have a youth worker in your church, send them along for only £95.
For more information visit: www.youthworkconference.co.uk
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Present Future LecturesBack by popular demand the European Baptist Federation will be resuming a monthly online lecture series for Christian youth and children’s workers. Each month they will be offering a one hour lecture by a specialist in children’s or youth ministry. The lectures are easily available for anyone with access to the internet through a simple weblink which will be provided on request.
Lecture Topics:17 October Children’s Theology: a new paradigm in Religious Education - Volkmar Hamp (Germany)
22 November Gifted for Leadership: the role of spiritual gifts in youth leadership - Emmett Dunn (BWA/USA)
For more information contact Jeff Carter on [email protected]
Bag of Hope
Bags of Hope make great giveaways for young people who knock at your door at Halloween, and are entirely free of charge (you just pay for p&p). Each bag contains the current Word for Today for Parents, a Book of Hope for the children and a Prayerline/Looking for God card. All you need to do is make this available to the families in your church. They can put a few sweets in, add a leaflet with your church contact details for follow-up and offer them to those who come trick or treating! Last orders for Halloween - Saturday 8 October.
You can also order two different bags of Hope for Christmastime including a youth bag. You can order as many as you feel you can use, but a minimum of 25 per order!Order yours at: www.ucb.co.uk/bagofhope
Seasonal resources for All Saints’ Day
Damaris is developing some free resources for churches and individuals to republish and send to friends in order to help non-Christians think positively about spiritual issues around the time of Halloween. This features a video countdown calendar (counting down to All Saints’ Day) and episodes of their deovox audio podcasts.
These resources will be available in the first two weeks of October from www.damaris.org
Free Church Education CommitteeThis committee draws together representatives from the member denominations and from specific areas of education, such as higher and further education. Download the latest FCEC newsletter from:
www.baptist.org.uk/component/docman/doc_download/921-fcec-newsletter.html.
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All too often, mission is on the agenda when all else has been done. It is the item that we may look forward to, but in our tiredness now wish was over, so we can head home to our beds and sleep. If only we could re-imagine what mission is and place it at the start of all we do that informs our life, programmes and finance.
This edition of missionscene has been just about mission, yes, but not a narrow agenda of mission but a broad agenda with a focus on proclamation, yes, but also about social action and redefining our spirituality. We hope that you have enjoyed this publication from the Fellowship of Baptists in Britain and Ireland. You can also see it online and sign up for future editions through the website www.fbbi.eu.
We would also like your contributions and input, thoughts, letters and ideas for mission. This publication belongs to the Baptist family we want it to be as useful as possible. Please make use of it, share it with others in your church and, most of all, we pray it informs your church’s mission.
God bless you in your mission.
Ian Bunce
Real Easter Egg company reveals choccy Christmas tree campaign
David Marshall, from The Meaningful Chocolate Company, said “We estimate that most of the UK’s 20 million Christmas trees don’t have anything religious hung on them. The Meaningful Chocolate Tree Decorations are an opportunity to buy a gift that allows the telling of the Christmas story at home. The card also includes an invitation for people to go to church to hear the Christmas story. So, not only is it educational, it’s also a piece of evangelism.”
The Meaningful Christmas Tree Decorations cost £3.95. Orders can be made through www.MeaningfulChristmas.co.uk or exclusively from Traidcraft. Orders should be made by mid November 2011 as supplies are limited.
A campaign to make the UK’s 20 million Christmas trees a bit more meaningful this December has been launched by the company behind The Real Easter Egg. To help parents, grandparents and godparents communicate the Christmas story to the next generation, The Meaningful Chocolate Company has produced the UK’s first ever interactive set of chocolate tree decorations, based on the characters of the Nativity story. Each box of Meaningful Chocolate Tree Decorations contains a limited edition Christmas card, a sticker set and six hand wrapped, high quality, Fairtrade chocolate decorations. The Christmas story, which can be found on the card, enables adults or children to read the story while placing character stickers on the decorations. Once completed, the decorations can be hung on the tree as a reminder of the real meaning of Christmas.
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Fellowship of Baptists in Britain and Ireland
BUGB Mission DepartmentIan Bunce
01235 [email protected]
ShetlandIslands
Channel Islands
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South Eastern Stuart Davison 01444 253163
Regent’s Park Baptist College Nick Wood
01865 [email protected]
South West Malc Reddaway 07917 330030
Southern Counties Colin Norris
07725 [email protected]
London David Shosanya 0208 543 6447
Spurgeon’s Baptist College Roger Standing
020 8653 0850 ex228 [email protected]
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Irish Baptist Networks
Stephen [email protected]
www.ibnetworks.org
Peter Dunn (Director for Mission)
01235 [email protected]
Mat Wilson (IMC Team Leader)
0121 683 [email protected]
www.bmsworldmission.org
October 2011
BUGB Mission DepartmentKathryn Morgan01235 517704
Y Coleg Gwyn (North Wales Baptist College)Elfryn Jones
01248 [email protected]
West of England Alisdair Longwill 01453 883308
Bristol Baptist College Principal - Stephen Finamore
0117 946 [email protected]
South Wales Baptist College Principal - Peter Stevenson
029 2025 [email protected]
South Wales Andy Hughes
029 2049 [email protected]
Northern Community Learning Network Glen Marshall
0161 249 2520 [email protected]
Scottish Baptist College Principal - Jim Gordon
0141 848 3988 [email protected]
Central Helen Wordsworth
01788 [email protected]
Eastern Richard Lewis 01842 754953
Yorkshire Jane Day
0113 278 4954 [email protected]
Heart of England Adrian Argile
0121 472 4986 [email protected]
East Midland Dianne Tidball 07971 337872
North Western Sandra Crawford 01942 221595
Baptist Union of Scotland Alan Donaldson 0141 423 6169
Baptist Union of Wales Marc Owen
01267 245660 [email protected]
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Northern John Singleton 01642 655551
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