Autumn I Winter 2003-4

Mission: Possible

Greg Haslam Chris Stoddard Geraldine Latty Darell Jackson Simon Jones Nic Harding Andy Hawthorne Philip Deller Rodney Breckon Nigel Wright

and more 0 0 0 ~' ~ ~" JIJSSJ()N: P()SSIIII.. I~

The Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick, Derbyshire

At the Mainstream Conference 2004 we will be developing the third of our core values 'Get Stuck Into Mission' m fit Our main speaker this year is Greg Haslam. Born and raised in Liverpool, Ill 11 Greg studied Theology and History at Durham University. After teaching high school he trained for the ministry at London Theological Seminary before moving to Winchester where he pastored for 21 years until his recent call to Westminster Chapel, London. Greg has traveled widely as a preacher and conference speaker, both in UK and overseas. He believes strongly in the recovery of strong healthy churches, characterised by a strong and vigorous God-centred focus. He is author of numerous articles and books. His latest book Elisha- a sign and a wonder is published by Kingsway.

Other conference leaders and speakers include Geraldine Latty - worship leader, Andy Hawthorne and Peter Nodding. Some of the issues we will be considering:

• Mission in the city • Rural mission • Mission in suburbs • Mission in small towns • Prayer and mission • Worship and mission • Becoming a world mission church

MAINSTilE1lM (~0NJ1JUlENCE 2004 BOOKING J10JlH

Main Contact Name: Rev. Mr. Mrs. Miss. Address

------Postcode ------1 Telephone------Email ------1

Number of people: Totals: Standard accommodation Single @ £105 per person £ Double @ £95 per person £ En suite accommodation Single@ £120 per person £ Double@ 120 per person £

How to Pay: £30.00 non-returnable deposit for each place booked. Balance due on 1st December 2003. Full amount due for any cancellation after 1 January 2004. Cheques payable: MAINSTREAM. Please detach (or copy) and return this booking form to: lan Frith, 1 Kenilworth Close, Sutton Goldfield, West Midlands, 874 2SE

2 TALK The Mainstream Magazine editorial Questioning • • hatentS·· miSSIOn

ission is something we take Mseriously even if it's done with mixed effectiveness. Just listen to the language at one of our national assemblies and you realise how mission-minded we are. I'm ·le i~ the CotJWolls · sure this is the fundamental reason why, out of all the main­ •·ZI l J line denominations, we are not declining but actually slightly growing (Darrell Jackson's article). But before we pat ourselves on the back let's ask ourselves a few questions. I. Have we neglected forming the kind of people Jesus dreamed of as missionaries as we busy ourselves in activity? Are we too focused on doing and not enough on being? 1tm lbbotsPn .intetviews Grea Haslam 14 11. How sharp has our missionary agenda been as a de­ ' ~ ,,. .f ; t ,; : nomination in the last ten years as we have spent most time on internal structural reform and a marketing makeover? ·growingf Ill. Do we need to spend more time reflecting on how we 19 j define and articulate the gospel for our times? An urgent need I think having listened recently to a world-leading gospel preacher at a recent event, and as we consider the serious plight of Christian influence in our land (Greg Haslam inter­ ...... view). 2 IV. In a society where the plausibility of the Christian mes­ sage is shot apart, do our actions indeed speak louder than words? (Rodney Breckon's article) V. Are we sufficiently experimental in our missionary dreams and action? VI. Are we in danger of being locked into certain sectors 6 and cultural groups of society while we pass others blissfully unaware? (Nic Harding's and Simon Hall's articles) VII. Is the assumption that big event evangelism is passe 11 called into question by Festival: Manchester (Andy Hawthorne's article)? VIII. Have we taken seriously enough that the denomina­ tion that plants churches will grow and those that don't will decline? IX. Do we need more adventurous expressions of church? X. Do we need to spend more time thinking about the ,18 social and political implications of the gospel so that we re­ position ourselves as God's alternative community? 22 Mission is possible and there's much to encourage in this pre-conference edition. Let's share the stories and go on asking ourselves the hard questions. And what a way to do it as we share in conference together? Be a part of it! !site.·). f6 And it's only months away till we take the next step for­ ward as a mission focused network and release Rob White for apostolic work amongst us. This is just the start. Join us on the TALK The Mainstream Magazine Volume 3 Issue 2 journey! Editor: Stephen lbbotson Production Editor Layout and Design: Robert Parkinson Editorial Assistant: Jean Morgan News: Craig Stephen lbbotson is the Editor of Talk. Millward Network News: Peter Nodding Reviews: Daniel Pritchard He is also a member of the pastoral staff of Front Cover: Wingfinger Graphics, Leeds Printed and despatched by Altrincham Baptist Church, Altrincham, Cheshire. Moorley' s, llkeston, Derbys.

Volume 3 Issue 2 3 main feature Sharp-edged on the edge

by Chris Stoddard

Chris Stoddard ible College missions were a in their own ways, but none has ments (indu(,llng the early is the Development Bformative time in my life, proved to be 'the key' to mission church) have arisen from here, Director for RUN usually for good, but occasionally in today's society. and it is frof'rl.here that we need (Reaching the providing those '1-wish-the­ Although most church to be creative, inn~tive, re- Unchurched ground-would-open-up-and­ leaders dread hearing the words sourceful and taith on the Network). An swallow-me' moments. One of 'Things aren't like they used to margins nee .. have an edge, ordained minister he those occurred while we were be', the fact is that they them­ to be bold and courageous, whil!¥ served in churches in conducting some 'coffee bar' selves often feel a certain longing full of compassion, grace and Northamptonshire, evangelism (remember those for some of those days, and ex­ love. The Archbishop of Canter­ worked for YFC and days 7) in Liverpool and perience a sense of loss that such bury, Rev~ Dr Rowan Williams, spent 14 years on the discovered that two rival gangs times of high expectation and remarkeJ:;l to the General Synod pastoral staff at had decided to use the venu.e f!\l ..itn are less common today. recen~ly:'ttfat 'This ~ .. where the Southcourt Baptist that night for a fight. The mission RUN, the organisation for which I unexr;iected growth happens, Church in Aylesbury, team leader, sensing imminent work, recently held a consulta­ where · nlikely contacts are Bucks where he had disaster, told me he felt I should tion day with about 100 leaders often where the Church is· specific responsibility stand up front and lead some from around the country. One of renewed (Js it so often is} from . for seeker services, Youth Praise songs on my guitar the day's activities was to write : the edges centre~. i evangelism and - I still carry the scars, out some anonymous prayers on So w ening on t~ worship. He was one miraculously not physical ones! 'Post-it' notes and stick them on margins in of mission and;~ of the eo-founders of Another 'memorable' occasion to the windows around the new wa g church? - RUN in 1994 and is was an open-air service on a sea­ building sq that we could all pray The . answer is 'Quite a now responsible for front promenade; one of our for one another. The most signif~ lot', but the more cbmplex issue envisioning, students got up to speak, looked cant thing about the exercise is tryingito:identify a~ analyse resourcing and at the considerable crowd and was how many prayers had the differ · s of missiOn and networking hundreds with great passion misquoted same basic theme: 'How can J expressions, of churches across the John 9:25: ' One thing I do know the way ahead for my ested to visit a¥ UK and beyond as know, once I was blind but now church?' A sense of 'lostness' in new w .h'at RUN and some) they seek to be I'm lost'! regards to what to do next was of its par~t:S have helped to effective in their Many church leaders are ex­ strikingly evident! .. establi · 'n. rch. mission to reach those periencing both a sense of loss This is, of cour~, only part infQ i~ ... ated t.>·telljhg!stories who do not yet and of lostness as they try to get of the story. There is much to of new ,for:ms of church, as well believe. Chris lives in to grips with what it means to be cause us hope, excitement and

4 TALK The Mainstream Magazine 'This is where the unexpected growth happens, where the unlikely contacts are often made; where the Church is renewed from the edges, not the centre'

created for this very purpose- to the tide. Adopting values such as released to develop friendships help those with an interest irt cultural relevance, spiritual en- and learn how to 'have fun'! In a spirituality to engage with God co'lJnter, visionary leadership, re- society where relationships are through the teachings of Jesus. It lational community, creative fragmenting and the pressures of is designed to be run in nort excellence and a passion for living can be intensely stressful, churchy venues such as local prayer means that Churches may finding a place to enjoy the ~ '! ;f colleges, libraries and schools. express mission in many different company of others who share Many people have serious ways, while emphasising that beliefs and values that are difficulty in overcoming their chun;h is more about who we inherently wholesome can be perceptions of <;huoch, and as a are than what we do. intensely attractive to those who response to this, a Whole raft of We have tried and do not yet believe. initiatives are developin~t experienced many different There is not one single the traditional congrega ,tl"lethodologies, many of which model or key that will suddenly context which are being · stlfl serve us well. However, a ~able us to evangelise our encouraged by both established clear trend is emefging that in n~ighbqurhood with spectacular and new forms of church. In many ways bnfl~S,us back to the iffect The fact is there are many recent months, as I have traveled ~ere it aft ()~an- the .tnodels, lots of keys, all sorts of round the country, fve spoken to d~ng of relationships, · · tools in the tool-box; we need people who have planted whiCh. was pcimarily Jesust discernment to know which ones churches specifically to reach model. Alpha's great draw is the to use in our own context. There bikers, surfers, artists, students, relational aspect, sharing a meal is, however, a great deal we can , learn from one another. One of :>· RUN's principle aims is to He m__ isquoted with great pas•:'on network hundr~ds of churches . . · . ,, ~- ' together from nght across the 'Q th· ,... . ( d k ·l·····w· · ' bl" Aenorriinational spectrum. ne Jng 0 now, once·;:'. as ln'ttaring stories, successes and . but flOW; I'm lost' I difficu_lties is one of the most .·... · effect1ve ways we can support each other in the difficult task of miSSIOn. dubbers and sh~rsl t~ther each wtek. 'On the There is a real need for This is all far removed from Move', the ffN{.. becue visionaries, risk-takers and the 'one-size-fits-all' !model ~t outrea<;h that his seen h prophets today. This is not a time most of us are familiar with Ad success in towns and cities·kf"OSS to lose our 'edge' but to sharpen were perhaps traina:l to lead.,~ the UK, is based on th. sa it, because God is calling us again The twenty-first century is an·· premise. Emerging churches to communicate the gospel from other world and another time; which are intentional about the margins right into the heart the gospel message is reas~t,~r· mission recognise that of twenty-first-century society. ingly the same, but our ~s 'prOitramme' can never be the We will do this most effectively to communicate it require r~l ma~thing; it has to be about together, not in isolation, and by

Volume 3 Issue 2 5 orship file 0 ti ·.:: CO c C"> ·v; QJ 0 Vl QJ Dances with God > QJ QJ er: c ·:;;; Qi :><: 0 0 ..c by Geraldine Latty Q..-

Geraldine Latty, a aving just returned from a the 'Dance of the Trinity'. I had I suggest you study your graduate musician, Hsong-writing course, I've been thinking about this for Bible on the character of God, conducts workshops been struck by an interesting some time, and in fact it was at the worship of God and the in leading worship. realisation. Yes, I have been this year's Mainstream confer­ interaction of God with his world. She also leads worship challenged in this intense ence that a delegate explained to Take a walk in the autumn fire of at national and inter­ environment with excellent me a 'picture' she had of Father, a nearby wood, study your national conferences practical teaching, tips and Son and Holy Spirit in dance: the fingerprints, listen to a friend such as Spring Har­ inspirational creativity, but what reality of the Holy Spirit taking who is going through vest, Baptist Assembly has filled my heart is a sense our worship to Jesus, and Jesus, Gethsemane, take faith steps into and Worship To­ once again of how great our God who praises the Father in the your Monday-to- Saturday world, gether. Previous to is and how little I am! I am midst of the people (Psalm 22:22 knowing that you are part of this this she taught as amazed at the fact that our most and Heb. 2:12), lifting our wor­ dance. Keep praying to 'be being head of music in a holy God, judge of all, calls us ship to the Father. What a beau­ filled' with the Holy Spirit, and secondary school for into a place of relationship where tiful picture of fluidity and put yourself in a place where you 12 years. For further he loves us, and I've realised interaction and mystery - the can be challenged by, and moved details please contact afresh how diverse is God's place where intimacy and into response to, the compassion Geraldine on world, how in love with his world 'beyond-words sovereignty' of God for his world. geraldinelatty®hotmail. he really is, and how vital and meet. I am no expert here, but I com. transforming is our 'God story'. I'm challenged too that here, endeavour to be one among I acknowledge again with a as in Isaiah 6, our God then lifts many others on this journey, as sense of wonder the fact that we his eyes to his world and says, we learn to be worshippers that join with a huge gathering of 'Who will go .. .' to be the stu­ make sense to God. This is both people from this nation and dents, shopkeepers, classroom our struggle and our fulfillment. every nation I people group, with assistants, church leaders, ac­ Oh what a wonderful God people from this age and from countants, neighbours, teachers, we have! How great are his every age, with angels too and single parents, managing riches and wisdom and knowl­ all of creation, to praise this directors, carers ... and (dare I edge! How impossible it is for us awesome God. lt certainly puts our lives into perspective - and this 'Worship File' column too! I Worship is about the dance with the remind my head and heart as I write that worship in the fullest Trinity out into the world God so loves sense is really all about God and his purposes and intentions for say) 'music, art, movement in to understand his decision and us in his world. I know we know worship' leaders? Who will go? his methods! For who can know that, but I know that I forget, People who have glimpsed God what the Lord is thinking? ... For and I get caught up in the work in this space, who know the everything comes from him; eve­ and not the One. So I write these cleansing power of Jesus' blood, rything exists by his power and is words, not because I haven't got despite their sense of inadequacy intended for his glory. To him be anything else to say (I'm sure I and sin, and who are willing to glory evermore! Amen. could think of plenty!), but in this go in the power of the Holy And so, I plead with you to my last contribution to this Spirit. This challenges me, for it is give your bodies to God. Let column, and from one learning not only about us being included them be a living and holy servant to others, may I in the dance with God with God sacrifice - the kind he will encourage us all to go on being the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, accept. When you think of what enthused, humbled, challenged but also about the dance with he has done for you, is this too and inspired by our God. the Trinity out into the world much to ask? Romans 11 :33- Another picture clarified for God so loves. 12:1, New Living Translation. me in my time away was that of

6 TALK The Mainstream Magazine feature On the frontline

by Nic Harding

rawling across rotting with the gospel. Everything else many he is a surrogate father, a After a successful Cfloorboards through rubble, was secondary. trusted friend and role model. career in general broken glass and decaying ... And so it was that in the Through the Kidz Klub, many practice Nic Harding vegetable matter, I wondered winter of '92 a group of us mums have been reached. During has pioneered what on earth I was doing in this found ourselves searching by this last year, following the unex­ Frontline Church in derelict property in Liverpool's torch-light among the debris of a pected death of the sister of one Liverpool which is clubland at 2am on a Saturday derelict house for men and of the Kidz Klub mums, nine now 5-600 strong. morning. lt was winter 1992 and women sleeping rough. The offer other members of that family the now much-vaunted of soup, sandwiches and human have been added to the church. renaissance of the city was still contact was all we had to offer, The Mums' Night Out, which at­ just a longing in our hearts ... but it was the start of a thriving tracts up to 250 unchurched Kidz But first, back to June '91 : ministry to the homeless and Klub mums, is the highlight of twelve intrepid explorers plus street people. This ran fruitfully the year for many. After a hilar­ offspring and pets set off from for ten years, having been ious evening of stand-up comedy, the comfort and security of started initially by Chris, who had quizzes, competitions, karaoke wealthy, southern, middle-class himself been long-term 'on the and food, the ten-minute gospel Bristol to plant a church in sick'. message touches many hearts. Liverpool, with its double-the­ During the summer of that Time and space don't permit national-unemployment-rate and same year, my wife Jenny had detailed sharing about other out­ its reputation for drugs, crime run a holiday club for the local reach ministries that individuals in and violence. The early days were kids of inner city L7 (Edge Hill), the church have established over marked by an influx of students where the church was meeting. the years- after-school home­ who had heard of our arrival, Little did she realise that from work clubs, pensioners' tea and plus one or two local people. On this small beginning would de­ bingo, sticky fingers parent and week two of opening shop, a velop a kids' ministry that would toddler group, a cafe for the mum who one of our mums had touch all parts of the city, the UK local community, English classes met at a mother and toddler and other countries (latest one for asylum seekers ... As a friend group turned up, promptly got just established in Poland). Kidz of mine says of reaching the lost: saved and was subsequently Klub was subsequently developed 'If it's not illegal, immoral, un­ healed of cancer. lt was an by Captain Dave (Sharples) and ethical or against the Bible- try encouraging start to what was to then with Celia grew until the it!' become Frontline Church. ministry was reaching 2,500 kids The bigger challenge in our Within months of moving through weekly home visits and vision to see 'every man, woman from meeting in our front room about 1 ,000 through the various and child repeatedly reached to the local youth centre (the weekly clubs. with the gospel' has been to darkest, dingiest, dankest, dirti­ When the father (a rare com­ ensure that every member of the est, most dismal venue you could modity in Toxteth) of one of church is reaching out through ever imagine), I met my new eo­ Dave's Kidz Klub kids died, Dave, personal witness. As the church pastor, Dave Connolly, who was who had been visiting the family has grown significantly over the leading a similar-sized group a for years, was asked by the mum last twelve years, we have mile away, comprising mainly to be one of the pall-bearers. He worked hard to achieve this, and, working-class and unemployed was the only white person at the as senior pastors, to model it. Scousers. lt was love at first funeral - a profoundly moving lt remains our dream (along sight: the two churches took to experience. To go with Dave on with other churches in the city) to each other immediately and his visiting round on a Thursday see the whole of Liverpool joined forces at Easter '92. The or Friday afternoon (each one reached with the gospel through 'marriage' worked because we lasts three to four hours) is to every member of the church win­ shared a similar passion and com­ witness a 21st-century reincarna­ ning souls, making disciples and mitment to reaching Liverpool tion of the Pied Piper. To so opening cells. Why not?

Volume 3 Issue 2 7 off the shelf

compiled by Daniel Pritchard

Daniel Pritchard is a The West Wing Series 1, Series masterly first appearance.) The phile. The Longing For Home is member of the 2 parts 1 and 2 all available on Chief of Staff is a good-hearted, the kind of Christian book that pastoral staff at DVD from Warner Home Video. hard-nosed political operator, only America seems to produce. Downs Baptist Prices vary. who is also a recovering alco­ Would that we had an Annie Church, holic. The Jewish Head of Com­ Dillard or a Eugene Peterson. Woodingdean, munications is a dry-witted, If I tell you that this is a col­ Brighton. He has an irritable former journalist with a lection of essays, meditations, interest in theological deep sense of right and wrong. poems and mini-sermon-type re­ studies and compiles His assistant, a hotshot New York flections, it will probably put you reviews in each lawyer-turned-speech-writer, has off. Don't let it, please. This is a edition. Reviews and a knack for complicated relation­ book to do your soul good. suggestions for ships. Deeply personal and acutely spir­ reviews can be Do yourselves a favour - itual, it will move your heart and submitted to: buy, beg or borrow the DVD's. open your eyes. daniel@thepritchards. Two words of warning though. If The author, Frederick freeserve.co.uk you get hold of Series 1, you Buechner (pronounced Beekner), might want to book two or three is a Presbyterian minister in his days off work. it's seriously addic­ seventies. Taking as his theme tive. Also, if you're not careful, it the concept of home - the home just might restore your faith in that we remember and the home politicians - and Americans. God to which we are heading - he bless American TV. explores issues of family relation­ roof that Americans do get Glen Marshal/, ships, the inter-connections of Pirony after all. Proof also that Wakefield Baptist Church community life, death, birth, the they still produce the best spirituality of creation, grace, television in the world. The West hope, faith and love. Wing is a fast-moving, wise­ Frederick Buechner, The Inevitably with such a collec­ cracking serial set in a newly Longing For Home (Harper tion, some pieces have more Democratic White House. Collins, $21 hb, ISBN 006 merit than others, but the overall President Jed Bartlet and his staff 061191 X) standard is very high. At times struggle to stay faithful to their you can detect the odd bit of ideals in the cut-and-thrust world desperate editorial work to make of politics. previously existing, independent A funny, 'must-watch-the­ pieces fit into the theme, but next-one', feel-good series that is that's the most minor of irrita­ often moving, always clever and tions. rarely corny, The West Wing I read the book in two sit­ deals with big issues, many of tings while on holiday. I plan to which are of interest to Chris­ read it again -for the sake of my tians. There's the AIDS crisis in soul. Africa, homosexuality, religious Glen Marshal/ persecution of Christians, asylum seekers, potential nuclear con­ flict, racism, the Christian Right, Alice P Mathews, Preaching the environment, faith and poli­ that Speaks to Women (IVP, tics - and much more. £8.99 pb, ISBN 0 85111 990 5) However, what makes for such gripping watching are the ixty per cent of the members beautifully drawn and superbly Sof our weekly congregations portrayed characters. There's the may not be hearing from God in Catholic president - intellectually a way that enables them to brilliant, often impatient and fter my review of The West respond effectively. sometimes scared that he's out AWing, I'm scared that I'm rhat is the concern pre­ of his depth. (Watch out for his turning into an Uncle-Sam-o- sented by Alice Mathews in this

8 TALK The Mainstream Magazine the varying epistemologies (how members to over 6,000 might we 'know what we know') of well catch our eye! However, Jim different types of men and Cymbala's account of how God women; how epistemology re­ broke into the lives of a tiny lates to spirituality; empowering congregation in a run-down women to use abilities and gifts Brooklyn church comes as a with confidence; differences in refreshing contrast to the many male and female styles of leader­ 'how to' books which line our ship; pointers for identifying and bookshop shelves. First published ministering to those women who in 1997, it tells the story of the may feel marginalised by the Brooklyn Tabernacle, from the church. Another excellent time Cymbala took up the chapter explains the effects of challenge of leading the church. modernity and post-modernity on The church had reached the our thinking and understanding point of desperation in the early of the preached word. 1970s. Cymbala was close to I would highly recommend giving up when God spoke to this book as an excellent resource him - not to impart a new for all preachers. Alice Mathews method or technique, but to call is clearly passionate about her him and his church to pray. Fresh fascinating book about the inter­ subject and presents an in­ Wind, Fresh Fire tells the story of section of the subjects of gender formed, up-to-date guide which how this tiny congregation took and preaching. Years of experi­ will give food for thought to all God at his word and began to ence as a pastor's wife, teacher, those endeavouring to communi­ pray. The prayer meeting be­ conference speaker and mission­ cate God's word effectively to came, in Cymbala's words 'the ary, plus researching her PhD in men and women of the 21st cen­ barometer of our church', and women's studies and working tury. the results were extraordinary. At alongside Haddon Robinson on Fiona Gill, the start the church did nothing preaching courses and books, Battle Baptist Church new, except to rise to this chal­ have all given her great insight lenge, but soon the church into the differences in the ways began to change and adapt, as that men and women hear and Jim Cymbala I Dean Merrill, God added to their numbers. The make application from Scripture. Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire - What impact of the Brooklyn Taber­ This understanding has brought happens when God's Spirit nacle on the needy and destitute her to the conclusion that many invades the hearts of His in their area is particularly impres­ women in our congregations people (Zondervan, £11.89 pb, sive. may actually be hearing a very ISBN 031 0251532) The theme of the book is different message from the one disarmingly simple. lt is a call to the preacher is trying to commu­ recognise our absolute depend­ nicate. Alice Mathews explains ence on God, to seek him con­ this theory clearly and logically, stantly in prayer. Cymbala asserts presenting her findings along that 'we are always either with much wise advice to drawing near to God or falling preachers on how to ensure they away, there is no holding pat­ are communicating to all their tern'. So prayer and seeking God listeners. has remained central to the life Mathews describes and work of Brooklyn Tabernacle, preaching in terms of helping regardless of what outward suc­ people to 'love God with all your cess they may have seen. He is heart, soul, mind and strength, not dismissive of new ideas, tech­ and your neighbour as yourself'. niques or programmes, but rec­ She devotes a chapter to each ognises that they will achieve section of this verse. For exam­ nothing without prayer and a ple, in 'Preaching for Moral Deci­ sovereign move of God. This, sion-Making', she systematically Cymbala argues, is the truth demonstrates first how our which has produced every great hearts govern our making of eth­ revival. ical decisions, then how men and If you have not already read women differ in this area, then t is easy for us as leaders to get this book, do get a copy. lt isn't a gives useful pointers for applying Icaught up in the latest trends long book (I read it in one day) this understanding to the prepa­ and techniques in a desire to see but it is packed with insight and ration and delivery of sermons. our churches grow and our wisdom. If you enjoy this, look This format continues in the sub­ communities won for the Lord. out for the follow-up books, sequent chapters. She explores So a book telling the story of Fresh Faith and Fresh Power. aspects of women's psychology; how a church grew from twenty Daniel Pritchard

Volume 3 Issue 2 9 feature PR and no spin doctor in sight

by Rodney Breckon

Rod Breckon 1 Northallerton ... where's see the benefits of in We even had a farmers' service, is pastor of New Life that?' is the most usual Northallerton - being accessible complete with green-wellie-and­ Baptist Church, response when telling people to ordinary people; removing wax-jacket-wearing minister Northallerton, North about our church. Located about obstacles like archaic musical entering on quad bike! I learned Yorkshire fifteen miles south of Darlington, styles, language and jargon; on a visit to Australia that church and with around 15,000 inhabit­ giving a warm, friendly welcome; can be fun too, without losing ants, it is in some respects an viewing the whole church any respect or reverence for unlikely place for a church to see experience through the eyes of a God's presence. significant growth. Here's the non-churchgoer. God was at In the mid-nineties we began story of an amazing journey. work ... but this was just the to pray for our own building, During the late eighties, beginning. having discovered the limitations steadily increasing numbers I began to pray earnestly of not having one up until then. meant that the purpose-built that God would help us to bridge In 1997, the town cinema and chapel was becoming too small. the gap between community and bingo club were up for sale at In 1992, a momentous decision church. About a year earlier, a £300k, and so in spite of the fact was taken to move into the local small group in the church had that it would need another Community Centre. In retrospect, begun gathering aid for Roma­ £1 OOk to re-fit, and with just the move was more significant nian orphans. This ministry virtu­ £20k in our building fund, we set than we realised. lt not only ally exploded, and in a very short out to acquire the property. physically moved us out of the time we were being asked to Space allows me to tell only a church but symbolically moved us take assemblies in twenty-three small part of the truly miraculous nearer to the community. In a different schools, to share the journey of faith. I made some small market town, word soon needs in Rotary Clubs, women's amazing discoveries in my own gets around that something very groups, the hospital, the police walk with God - notably that unusual is happening - a church headquarters, as well as in local when God is in a vision, he gives is growing! The public nature of shops and businesses. Suddenly, you the faith for it and finance the building meant it was less of 'New Life Baptist Church' and follows. No vision, no finance! a culture shock for people to 'New Life for Romania' were Our gift day was astounding, 'cross the threshold', so more being talked about in amazingly with over £70k in cash on the people 'checked us out' and positive terms everywhere in the plate, and a further £80k in some stayed. community and in the local press. promises over three years, which Several key developments We could not have devised a totally blows away the idea that took place around this time. The better PR campaign if we'd tried Yorkshire-men are Scots with first was that I attended the - God was answering prayer in a their pockets sewn up! And so it Evangelists' Conference at most unlikely way! was that on Easter Saturday Swanwick and heard From these links, the idea of 1998, a beautifully re-fitted representatives from Willow 'themed services' was born. Dif­ building was dedicated to God's Creek Church in the USA ferent sectors of the community service with the prayer, 'May God expounding their understanding were invited to Sunday morning meet with all who enter, and of evangelism: 'coming to where services to hear how the gospel bless all who are sent out from people are', being 'all things to related to their lives. Education here.' all men' - the whole 'seeker­ (teachers, dinner-ladies, support No one is more conscious friendly' deal. This was revolu­ staff), health care (GPs, nurses, than I am that the blessings we tionary stuff and without a doubt OTs ... ) and politics (with a visit are seeing in Northallerton are a defining moment in my from our local MP and the then down to one thing only- the understanding of ministry. While Leader of the Opposition, the Rt. grace of God. I don't know I didn't necessarily buy into the Hon. William Hague MP) were all what's next, but one thing I do whole package, the principles covered, and the services were a know is that I'm enjoying the were staggeringly simple and great celebration of joy, declaring journey. ones we were just beginning to the heart of God for all people.

10 TALK The Mainstream Magazine the x files Home alone

by Simon Hall

he Mainstream conference or no 'social capital': investments to attend Sunday meetings. A Simon Hall Ttheme of 'Mission: Possible' is in their friends and community. young woman had told one has been involved in obviously heavy with possibility. These are not people we will church leader quite explicitly: 'I youth ministry since Things are hard, and among meet at the school gate, or even came to Alpha because I wanted his theological studies young adults they are hardest­ see at the rugby club. They truly to find out about God but I at Oxford. He is 'Mission: Impossible' springs to seem to be 'mission impossible'. didn't want to go to church. Now presently the Pastor of mind. People talk eloquently An increasing number of people I've found out about God and I revive, a congregation about the departure of teenagers on the edges of revive have de­ still don't want to go to church.' linked with Sharing from our churches, but the low­ clared themselves unwilling to This is not about a lack of teach­ Life, reaching out to est church attendance figures are come to any of our events be­ ing, but about a change of cul­ the extensive night for those in their twenties. I have cause they don't like meeting ture. If you are not used to club and pub culture no doubt in saying that the larg­ new people ... having lots of acquaintances, of Leeds. He has est unreached people group in The few churches that have how will you deal with church? I become known as a my own city of Leeds is white success in reaching young adults was brought up on how we writer, speaker and working class young people aged tend to be located in urban cen­ needed to allow people to thinker about Church, 16-30. While we have Christians tres and cater for students, grad­ belong in our communities mission and youth working with all the ethnic mi­ uates and young professionals. before we asked them to believe culture. norities, and fantastic ministries These are generally people who or behave. Now I'm finding that to asylum seekers for the new are gifted, motivated, disciplined, people don't want to belong, or communities that are building relationally conscious, and able at least don't know how to. In­ up, as far as I know there is no to find their place in a large insti­ stead, they want some help in mission in Leeds for these peo­ tution. This obviously represents living their lives. For me, it's a big ple. We have children's workers, a small proportion of the popula­ change in perspective, but I think youth workers, family workers, tion. Yet I think hope may be we may find ourselves running a elderly workers, but no-one coming from an unexpected lot more 'how to' courses along­ reaching out (specifically) to that quarter. The Alpha Course, cre­ side our parenting classes. Right increasingly large group of peo­ ated and marketed by the ulti­ now revive is planning a course ple who have left their family but mate yuppie church, Holy Trinity in how to live simply enough so haven't started their own. The Brompton, is working silently that you can pursue your goals in government's own figures sug­ away at our understanding of life. gest that by 2040 over a third of mission ... and church. Let me Ministering to those who all properties will have just one explain .. . 'bowl alone' is going to be a new person living in them. This is why In the last couple of months challenge involving community­ we need to build so many more I have had conversations with building on the net, 'network church', small groups, something like industrial chaplaincy to help people don't want to belong people work out how to find meaning in their work, and a houses: not because we are church leaders from all over Eng­ whole host of new approaches growing as a country, but be­ land about a strange and recur­ that we haven't heard of yet. cause we have an increasing pop­ ring problem they are having. While Christians have been busy ulation of young adults who are Like many churches they are run­ discussing the academic issues not 'settling down'. ning Alpha courses, and like surrounding postmodernity, more Robert Puttnam's book many (I am coming to believe) subtle changes have been hap­ 'Bowling Alone' describes the they are finding it relatively easy pening on the ground. it's time world in which these new urban to get people to come to an we took notice. loners will live: one in which they Alpha course, quite easy to get www.bowlingalone.com will have few friends, watch a lot people to consider continuing to www.postmission.com of TV, and have no-one to turn explore faith after Alpha, but to in a crisis. They will have little very, very difficult to get people

Volume 3 Issue 2 11 Conference Column We can do it!

by Peter Nodding

Peter Nodding chairs ever a I years ago, sitting with possesses the gifts of leadership new regional leaders' meetings. the Mainstream Sthe Mainstream executive (as and vision to make it happen. In Why has this happened? Usually Leadership team and a relative new boy), I sensed that due time, there may be others a leader has caught the vision is the Senior Pastor at we were re-running a well-worn released from full-time local and has been willing to give the Purley Baptist Church, discussion. lt was good material, church ministry, who will give time to make it happen. This Surrey. but we were in danger of being significant time and gifting as needs to be multiplied within the a talk-shop. Mainstream had well. country. Mainstream wants to done a good job, but was its job serve these gatherings with in­ over? A brave decision was made WHAT SORT OF MINISTRY? spiring Bible teaching and vision. to call together a significant group of leaders from the Apostolic input to churches Listening to the Spirit regions to pray. Over the next No one in Mainstream leadership What is the Spirit saying to the year we heard the Lord say that is interested in status, or an au­ churches? What is the Spirit say­ Mainstream still had an thority that is not God-given and ing to the section of the Church important role, and that prayer, recognised. But we all see the to which most of us belong? relationships and mission were pressing need for inspiring vision, Mainstream wants to model the central. wisdom and just 'good experi­ centrality of listening to God. The I want to outline what God ence' to share with the local Church will only be transformed is asking of us in the next few church. Surely all of us recognise as her key leadership give them­ years. the need for such Spirit-filled in­ selves humbly to heartfelt prayer put, and especially as it will be and to the necessary action Releasing people given through continuing rela­ which follows. He is certainly say­ What Rob White will be doing in tionships. To help us understand ing 'Mission', no one questions a part-time capacity we want the nature of this ministry and this, but the how and the what many others to do, although they what it means within our own require more boldness and detail. have less time available. What do context, Mainstream is hosting a I really love the job of being I mean? Rob will be ending his conference on apostolic ministry a local church minister. However, full-time position at Poynton in December 2003. those in the ministry know that Baptist in April 2004. He will then we can easily fill the week with be free for about three days a Mentoring the emerging our own church needs. But what week to serve Mainstream. He generation of leaders is the Lord saying? In my first still has important ministry in the Mainstream has found itself in two churches I tried to serve the Manchester area which will this role already. As a result of a wider church, but sometimes this occupy more of his time. one-off conference with younger led to neglecting days off. In my However, others of us will be leaders to 'listen to them', the present church, I have seen the invited to give some of our time Holy Spirit forcibly impressed on wisdom of putting the wider to serve the same vision. This will us that we had a key role in this church ministry in the job descrip­ require church leadership teams area. Since November 2001, tion. The congregation at Purley to release their most gifted when this conference took place, understand the implications of leaders. we have been amazed how the this and have given me their Lord has 'knit' a large numbers blessing. I will always want to do So what sort of role? of these leaders together, and a faithful job in serving my local Clearly, Rob will have a central we have felt their impact on the church, but I believe we are all role in building a team of those movement as a whole. the richer when we can give part with a national vision, and of our time to the needs of oth­ developing/encouraging the re­ Serving the regions ers. What is the Lord saying to gional networks. Rob will have lt has been so encouraging to you? the time, but more importantly, witness the growth of several

12 TALK The Mainstream Magazine surfer's guide Mapping mission

by Simon Jones

'The pastor I apostle is one There are a number of sites sociologist Grace Davie published Simon Jones who forms congregations run by emerging churches. Some a book on Christianity around the is BMS World Mission into mission groups shaped by of them are focused on mission. world called Europe: the Exce~ co-ordinator for encounters with the gospel in the Among the best are www. tional Case. In it she tried to ac­ London and the South culture - structuring the emergent-uk.org. One of the count for why the church is East and author of congregation's shape into forms minds behind the worldwide growing everywhere around the Why Bother with that lead people outward into a emergent network is Brian world except in western Europe. Church? (IVP 2001 ), missionary encounter.' So says McLaren - all his stuff is worth The Henry Martyn Centre com­ Discovering the New Alan Roxburgh. If our ministries checking out. missioned three scholars from Testament (Crossway are going to achieve this, we www.phuture.org is an Aus­ around the world to respond to 2001) and Discovering need good models that will tralian site dedicated to serving her thesis. They are fascinating Luke's Gospel challenge and inspire- as well as the second reformation. There's and located at www. (Crossway 1999}. A God's Spirit to energise and a host of information on culture martynmission.cam.ac.uk/ former editor of propel us into the world. and lots to read on the whys and cwimpapers.03.htm Christianity magazine, www.missionalchurch.org/ wherefores of the missional Those concerned with all he was pastor of pages/fag.pdf is a good place to church. And www.futures. aspects of urban mission need to Peckham Road Baptist start as it deals with the basic actionweb.co.nz/index.htm is a visit www.astoncharities.org.uk/ Church from 1989 questions of the missional New Zealand site dedicated to research/urbmiss.shtml to find to1996. church: what is it? How do I linking new expressions of lots of material by Greg Smith make mine one? Nearly every church. There is a fair amount of from the 1980s and 1990s. Greg denomination is talking about post-evangelical angst here, but worked in Newham in east missional church these days. A also some excellent models to London for many years and has a good Canadian Mennonite per­ check out. wealth of wisdom to share on spective can be found at www. www.organicchurch.org.uk social involvement and commu­ mcec.on .ca/missional is one of the best blog sites nity audits. www.episcopal-dso.org/ around. Here bloggers dream Don't forget to visit the BMS pages/conven02/12signs.pdf dreams and share insights and World Mission website every offers a single-page handout issues. it's inspiring, challenging, week at www.bmsworldmission. listing the twelve marks of the exasperating, annoying and abso­ Qig. Also worth checking out are missional church. You'll need an lutely essential. Another inter­ www.globalconnections.co.uk Acrobat Reader to access it, but esting bloggers' site is www. and www.globalmission.org - then you can print it off and use e-church.com - an American­ the site of the World Evangelical it to get your leaders to talk the based portal that functions as an Alliance with loads of good stuff issues through as they relate to online spiritual community that on mission and globalisation, as your church. people can link to. well as stats and stories of good Equally fundamental is We often limit our mission to practice from around the world. George Lings. Check out what churches do. This is a mis­ www.rejesus.co.uk is a good www.encountersontheedge.org take. The world of politics and site for those looking for a user­ .uk. Lings works with the Church public life is our mission-field as friendly and challenging introduc­ Army, advising churches on how well. A fairly new site - www. tion to the Christian faith, so why to reach out to our needy cul­ ekklesia.co.uk - contains a not set up a link to it from your ture. Click on the conference re­ wealth of Christian thinking on church's website? ports link on the left-hand bar of every area of public policy. it's a Of course, not everything is the site welcome page. There's a rich mix of news, opinion, theol­ available on the web. The wealth of great stuff. Especially ogy, discussion papers and sto­ London Institute for Contempor­ good is his 'August 2003 New ries of good practice from ary Christianity has produced Zealand presentations' - it's all around the UK. some fascinating research based there including the PowerPoint. The Henry Martyn Centre in on focus-group-style research Lings has also recently co­ Cambridge is dedicated to mis­ with non-Christians in authored a Grove booklet with sionary research. At www. Nottingham and London. You Stuart Murray-Williams, exam­ martynmission.cam.ac.uk you'll can order it at www.licc.org.uk­ ining the experience of church find tons of stuff on overseas click on the Beyond Belief link. planting through the 1990s. mission. There's a collection of it's worth getting hold of. There's more of George at papers that is really worth www. wood landproject .cam checking out. Last year, the UK

Volume 3 Issue 2 13 interview Not ashamed of the gospel

Stephen lbbotson interviews Greg Haslam

churches are experiencing steady many realise this, and are at­ and significant growth. We will tempting to do it! yet see more! Yes, but my point is that we've But Christianity has virtually dis­ seen the virtual eradication of appeared from other areas of the Christian faith in places the world throughout history - where it was once strong. Could particularly those affected by the it be happening under our very expansion of Islam from the 7th noses? I'm not trying to be a Jer­ century onwards? Why should emiah - although that's no bad we think western Europe should thing if God's calling is that - but be any different? rather a feeling that we need to 'Mission Possible' is the hopeful wake up to the dire situation in title of Mainstream's conference. If it came down to our 'just which we find ourselves. Doesn't it at times feel like deserts', it shouldn't. We have 'Mission Impossible' to you? seen massive apostasy from God, lt was the Apostle Peter who his absolute truth and his great warned, 'For it is time for judge­ es! I live in the same world as gospel, within nearly all of the ment to begin with the family of Yyou do, and I know just how mainstream denominations, just God .. .' (I Pet. 4:17). The primary much we've all been affected by as they did in the early church. responsibility for the increase of the intellectual climate in Britain Generations of leaders and avoidable decay and darkness in today - its secularism, relativism preachers have been trained by society is surely that the Church and syncretism. I also look with liberal theological seminaries to has failed to be the salt and light envy on the scenes of massive accommodate the gospel to 'the she is meant to be, preventing church growth that others are spirit of the age'. The results rot and expelling gloom. In a cli­ experiencing in Latin America, have been powerless religion, mate intolerant of truth, we have Africa and Asia, and think, 'it all empty churches and massive abandoned our devotion to apos­ seems an uphill struggle for us'. moral and spiritual decline within tolic revelation in Scripture. The Nevertheless, I am a biblical opti­ society as a whole. The resulting faith hasn't so much been eradi­ mist! The gospel hasn't lost its vacuum has been filled by a lem­ cated by its enemies as abdicated power, the Spirit is still with us, ming-like, headlong rush into by its friends! We have looked the future is bright because it is reckless eroticism and drug-in­ for some other message than the his future! And God is shaking all duced occultism everywhere. But gospel, delivered by some other the false foundations around us the answer to this still remains means than proclamation. Our that people's lives have been what it has always been - a re- nation is allergic to truth, and we've helped to ensure that they are never exposed to it! This lost ground was shamelessly surren­ the future is bright dered by a largely silent and cow­ ardly Church. Popular myths like because it is his future! Evolutionism ('We all got here by chance and natural causes'), Freudianism ('Others are respon­ 'jerry-built' upon. There is grow­ covery of spiritual authority and sible for my wrongs'), Material­ ing evidence that people here in confidence in the preaching of ism ('There's always something I the UK are awakening to a new the message of the cross, com­ can buy to make me happy') and interest in Christ and his message bined with reliance on the power Annihilationism ('When you're again, e.g. the numbers on of the Holy Spirit with signs fol­ dead, you're dead') are all em­ 'Alpha', 'Y-Course' and lowing. There is evidence that braced as reliable guides for pop­ 'Christianity Explored'. Many ular belief and human conduct.

14 TALK The Mainstream Magazine They have no foundation in truth. tal and bloody death, as well as become Christ-centred and These myths need to be violently the reality and full implications of church-based in our thinking exploded! The Church greatly his return from the grave with his again. The 'wow-factor' has to be needs a wake-up call, a trumpet­ body. This is 'cosmic' in its impli­ restored to our churches. Our blast to call her to battle once cations. lt not only rescues indi­ man-pleasing, tightly orches­ again. This is not a time for cow­ viduals; it will one day restore trated, democratised and 'nice', ards. and recycle the planet and the bland styles of leadership within whole universe above us. This is a 'clubbish' denominationalism What are some of the essential the 'Big Story' that post-modern and Spirit-quenching ecclesiology ingredients to reverse the statis­ fragmentation needs to be con­ all have to be renounced. Christ tics of ongoing decline in church fronted with. wants his church back! attendance in the next couple of We also need to restore the Finally, we need to let the decades? church. Watchman Nee once Bible loose again- all of it, in its said, 'The necessity of a revela­ entirety, to stun a virtually bibli­ We need to re-discover the gos­ tion of the church to the believer cally illiterate emerging genera­ pel in all of its raw crudity and is as great as the need for the tion. Again, as William Willimon beautiful power, i.e. Christ him­ revelation of Christ to the unbe­ once said, 'Our task is not to self, his rugged message, his bru- liever.' I agree. We need to make the Bible more relevant to

Volume 3 Issue 2 IS interview

the world, but rather to make and deserved fame. Preaching member going with my father as the world more relevant to the like this can never become passe. a young lad to hear 'the Doctor', Bible!' This is to recover the pro­ lt was Spirit-filled, converting and and peering down at him from phetic dimension in our entire life-transforming. We long to see the upper balcony. Presumably ministry. The Church has been a more of its kind, and we will. that has changed now. 'non-prophet' organisation for God will call another generation too long. of preachers to minister his word Dr. Lloyd-Jones' ministry was in power. both immensely important, and Your talk of 'rude crudity' and But we also need to take unique. Many have tried to imi­ 'rugged message' of the gospel seriously the thrust of Ephesians tate his style, and failed. I don't brings to my mind the fact that 4:11-16. Churches are not just even attempt it! He was a kind of we are finding it particularly hard 'preaching centres'. They are to 'Moses the Law-giver' in the post­ to get a hearing amongst men. be built as communities of the war decimation and fall-out from What are your observations on Spirit, dynamic, related and a century of liberalism within the this? growing, both quantitatively and churches. His massive intellect qualitatively. The word-ministries and Spirit-filled passion ignited The prevailing mind-set is that of listed in verse 11 are diverse in many fires that had well nigh relativism, and so it's hard to get character and style; thus there is gone out. In addition, he helped a hearing for truth. Our tempta­ a need for widespread exposure spearhead the recovery of evan­ tion is therefore to look for to and engagement with these gelical confidence and renewed 'relevance' and cosmetic attrac­ modern-day apostles, prophets, biblical scholarship. He promoted tion. There is no way we can 'tart evangelists and pastor-teachers. a new interest in our Puritan-Re­ up' the cross, and make it or its Sadly, many fiercely formed heritage, helped raise up message about human depravity and the need for human re-crea­ tion in Christ more appealing. it's not our message, we did not in­ the great need in the Church today is vent it; we were simply given it. Our responsibility is to let it loose to recover a 'can't-do' mentality! in the power of the Spirit and see what God does with it. Accord­ ing to Paul, there are only two 'independent' churches have no a new generation of pastors and occasions appropriate for preach­ connection with them, and preachers, and fostered a vital ing: 'in season and out of season' church doors are 'barred' to their dependence on and longing for (2 Tim. 4:2), i.e. in tough times access and impact - except per­ the power of the Holy Spirit and and easy times, whether we're haps briefly at the 'annual confer­ revival. He single-handedly under­ popular or unpopular. We are ence'. Yet they all exist to 'equip mined much of the entrenched always to do this. lt should com­ the saints', i.e. all believers, to be cessationist theology of the Re­ mand the best skills we can bring mobilised to carry out the life­ formed community, whilst help­ to the task - hard study and ac­ calling that God has given to ing charismatics and Pentecostals curate exposition, clear and every Christian. to anchor their experience within forceful communication, vivid, This alone will foster and a more solid doctrinal frame­ arresting illustration, as well as advance the (1) Mobilisation (2) work. biting application, but we must Unity (3) Maturity (4) Clarity (5) Westminster Chapel was know that the results are finally 'Clout' (6) Christ-likeness and (7) indeed a beacon to many. The in God's hands. the 'Wow-factor' vitality that balconies have only rarely been marks churches that will change used since, but I firmly believe As pastor of a church that has the world. Pastors should not that both my predecessor, Dr R. had a significant status as an only play a part in all of this T. Kendall, and myself, stand loy­ evangelical beacon in the past, themselves; they must give room ally within this legacy of priori­ what do you see as the main for others to join them in this ties, and expository preaching still roles of pastors in setting a task. The emergence of team lies at the heart of all we do. A 'mission possible' agenda? ministries both within our own beacon church must be one congregations, but also serving which acts like a lighthouse amid The greatness of Westminster them from outside, is still a high dark and dangerous conditions Chapel in the past has been priority for us all. that threaten to sink the shipping bound up with the bold and sus­ that braves the deadly seas of a tained manner in which its minis­ Is there a particular role for bea­ stormy world. Our nation needs ters have thundered the message con churches today? If so, what thousands of such churches! of the Bible to their contempo­ might that be? For instance, un­ They're marked by loyalty to rary generation. Thankfully, that der one of your predecessors, Christ and his word, dependence legacy continues, as it is mostly Westminster Chapel became fa­ on his Holy Spirit, lively and com­ all still in print. Campbell Mor­ mously a place for exhaustive - mitted congregational relation­ gan, Martyn Lloyd-Jones and R. some might say exhausting - ships and a great heart for unity. T. Kendall have won widespread expository preaching! I even re-

16 TALK The Mainstream Magazine interview

Westminster Chapel is devel­ do to get a serious hearing in Why is mission close to your oping more and more in this today's society? heart? way. Very often theological positions Primarily because it is close to A number of our readers may are caricatured and misrepresent­ Christ's heart and is an inevitable not know you, so it would be ed. This has been very true of evidence of renewal and authen­ good to hear a little of your New Frontiers' stance on many tic spiritual life. Pioneer mission­ background and your journey to things, including 'men and wom­ ary Henry Martyn said, 'The Spirit this point. en'. In fact, you can judge a the­ of God is the Spirit of Mission, ology partly by its fruits. Women and the closer we get to Him I was born in Liverpool in 1953 are highly esteemed, liberated, then the more mission-minded and converted to Christ at a Billy promoted and valued both in the we will become.' Evangelism, Graham relay in Liverpool's Cen­ local church and in apostolic church-planting kingdom expan­ tral Hall in 1967. Early on, faithful teams. They are trained and re­ sion has to become the heartbeat mentors gave me a longing to be leased into all kinds of wonderful of every Christian and local filled with the Spirit and a love of ministries within New Frontiers - church. Without it we are already good books. Along with the Bible more than I have seen anywhere dying, if not dead. itself, Lloyd-Jones, Spurgeon and else, in fact. Those of us who Stott were my staple diet from believe that men and women are Without spilling the beans or my teenage years onwards. In different by design and therefore having your thunder stolen, can fact, I was called to this ministry not interchangeable, take seri­ you give us an idea of the kind of listening to John Stott on 2 Timo­ ously the whole of the biblical things you feel we need to ex­ thy at Keswick in 1969, and be­ data on 'Man and Woman in plore in this conference? gan preaching at sixteen! I Christ', particularly when it became a schoolteacher, married comes to male headship in the There's a good chance I will be Ruth in 1975 and we had three home and in church government, drawn to consider Jonah. If so, sons, now all grown up. After and find it uncomfortable to we will be concerned with the training at the London Theologi­ ditch the theology of our Lord perennial relevance of such cal Seminary (Lioyd-Jones's and his Apostles on gender dis­ themes as God's call, our reluc­ 'baby'!) in '78-'80, I moved to tinctions and role relationships, tance, the prophetic mandate, Winchester and served Winches­ consigning them to the 'dustbin human deviance and sin, God's ter Family Church for twenty-one of history'. Eagerness to do this is powerful word, his surprising years, until my recent move to rooted in relativism and the de­ mercy, and results beyond our London in 2002. sire to be relevant to 'the spirit of wildest dreams! There's more of We were connected with the age'. We are here to chal­ course, but I haven't even started Terry Virgo and New Frontiers for lenge 'the spirit of the age', not my preparation yet! But there's a the last thirteen years of my time get in bed with it! My under- few 'spilt beans' to be going on with.

Finally, Greg, would you like to We are here to challenge 'the spirit of say in what kind of spirit we should approach not only this the age', not get in bed with it! conference but its theme - 'Mission Possible' does sound like a 'can-do' mind-set! in Winchester. I loved the wed­ standing of the biblical teaching ding of word and Spirit I found on men and women is that it is True. Yet the great need in the there, combined with strong more liberating than the Church today is to recover a commitment to friendships, re­ 'feminism' some so eagerly em­ 'can't-do' mentality! There are newal, relationships, unity and brace. In my view, feminism has some things only God can do. biblical clarity on all the contro­ only served to encourage even Surely we all know that? If we versial issues of today. After the more oppression, exploitation come hungry, dissatisfied, eager call to Westminster Chapel in and the sexual and physical to meet with and hear from God, 2002, I left New Frontiers to abuse of women, and has re­ then determined to do anything come here, but not the values I sulted in further loss of their dig­ he tells us to do, no matter what came to hold and believe, nor my nity. In the name of 'women's the cost, then there's a good passion for Christ and his world­ rights' it has advanced promiscui­ chance this will not be an ordi­ wide church. ty, unfaithfulness, marital break­ nary conference. Smith Wiggles­ down, and negative attitudes worth once said, 'The only thing I Many of us have been helped by towards motherhood and child­ am satisfied with is the fact that I our contact with the new church rearing. it is part of our mission am dissatisfied!' Sometimes, networks. But doesn't the posi­ to point out the truth. The world when God makes you that hun­ tion New Frontiers takes on has got it wrong at this point, as gry, great blessing is not far women in leadership point up it has on so many other issues. away. just how much work we have to

Volume 3 Issue 2 17 lnewsdesk

Money management for the 18-35s

onald Blue are a Christian • Giving is the only antidote practical tools to help the Rpresence in the world of to materialism target age.group make life­ financial planning. They aim • God prospers me not to style decisions that lead to to base all their advice upon raise my standard of living, generous giving to their local the 'Treasure Principle': but to raise my standard churches and wider kingdom of giving. projects. Please take a look • God owns everything. I'm and send any feedback to his money manager They are in the process of steve. fairhall@ronblue .eo. uk • My heart always goes developing a website for the - especially if you have any where I put God's money emerging generation, a pre­ young people who may be • Heaven, not earth, is my view of which is at !:!!.m1L willing to help them review Craig Millward brings us home ebread.intrica,net They hope the site. information from the Christian • I should live not for the the website will be a resource world. Pastor at Ormsby in dot but for the line that will provide teaching and Norfolk, Craig is a member of the Mainstream leadership team. True Freedom Jubilee video

Your page ... he issue of homosexuality ·offering hope and help to f your church was involved Thas once more become a men and women struggling Iwith Jubilee 2000 and the f you are linked with a stick with which to beat the with homosexuality, lesbian­ debt campaign, then Iministry or are involved in church, and the recent de­ ism and similar issues. They Tearfund's new video will an event which would be of bate has stirred up genuine also offer support to families, bring you bang up-to-date with the views of Gordon value and interest to a pain and confusion amongst friends and church leaders of national readership, please let some in our churches for those who face these issues Brown (and many others) on me know: whom this is a live issue. True in their lives. Contact TFT at what has been achieved and what remains to be done. lt [email protected] Freedom Trust is a Christian [email protected] support and teaching ministry costs £5 from Tearfund (0845 355 8355). lt takes a team Children's Ministry any of our churches ever believed in the power of Mhave been greatly a local church'. lt is the ideal arly next year Children's Bible. There will also be five helped and inspired through place for pastors, staff and EMinistry is hosting a con­ celebrations I concerts featur­ interacting with the ministry volunteers to join together in ference 'for all with a heart ing interviews, news, reviews, and philosophy of Willow a quest to discover the kind of for children'. lt will include reports of children's ministry Creek. The latest offering community only God can envi­ forty optional seminars and conferences around the world from the Chicago suburbs sion for his people. Confer­ workshops including prayer and a 'try this at home' show.. comes via a conference on ence speakers include Bill ideas, crafts, age.appropriate case. lt is to be held in East­ teamwork. lt is a two-day Hybels, Joel Edwards, Gene teaching, children's culture, bourne just after our own event, followed-up with a Appel and Gordon MacDon­ teamwork. story-telling, dra­ conference, 23-25 January. third day of workshops, and ald. You can get more infor­ ma, active learning, dealing Visit www.childrensministry. has been 'designed for every mation on 0845 1300 909 or with disruption, flags, pup. co.uk for more into or call man and woman who has visit www.ittakesateam.org pets, fun ways to teach the 01323 437759.

Preach the word! John Archer

reg Haslam has called 11th October through to 22nd this great ta'Sf<. Each day con­ ohn is a comedy magician Gtogether a team of gi~ May 2004. The wide range of sists of several main sessions Jwho has served us at Main­ communicators to share~ outstanding teachers, preach· and a choice of seminars. it stream conferences in the wisdom at a preaching sdlool ers and communicators invited costs £100 for the whole past and gained a number of which has been designed m indUdes JoeU.dward(John term and you can download a bookings as a result. You may raise the profile, quality and Stott, Terry Virgo, J John, registration form from www. like to know that he is still central importance of preach­ Steve Brady, Mike Pilavachi l.or .uk or available and has just up­ ing in the Church's mission and David Pawsoo. Each has''~· ·· call 026 1731 for infor­ dated his website. Take a today. The Westminster been invited to sh.are their .... mation on the whole course. look: http://website.lineone. Chapel Preaching School runs skills, wisdom and conviction' · net/-archini one Saturday per month from on a host of themes related to

18 TALK The Mainstream Magazine Baptist Speak Why aren't Yle groYiing?

by Darrell Jackson

ecline is growing - lives made whole?' and so on. Dparticularly if religious com­ There is something about growth mentators are to be believed. A (or a lack of it) that concentrates handful of recent book titles, the mind and demands our atten­ God is Dead, The Death of tion. Failure to grow is a failure Christian Britain and The Church of reproduction. But, how are Faces Death, reinforce the Baptists in Britain doing? The Church, Bob Jackson points out Darrell Jackson has picture of the church in terminal story is quite mixed and not as that churches in the UK are just spent seven and a decline. Recently a Newsnight terminal as the title of the article placed in similar contexts and yet half years working as journalist put pressure on church might suggest. some manage to perform better a Mission Adviser with leaders at a news conference by Baptist church membership than others, attracting people to the Baptist Union of asking, 'What will it take to has been declining steadily from faith and into church member­ Great Britain. He is a persuade you that nobody wants a high of just over 400,000 in the ship with greater regularity. This Director of Christian your product any more?' Taken first decade of the twentieth is stating an obvious fact, but it is Research. In January together, it seems that the century to the current 141,000. not always comfortable to have 2004 he leaves for decline of the churches in the U~ However, according to Peter to face it. In fact, during 2002, Budapest to take up a has already been scripted, with Brierley, regular attendance at there were nearly 800 Baptist three-year post only bibliography and index to be worship has increased by at least churches that saw an increase in researching Mission completed. The narrative of 5% between 1985 and 2000. membership. These represent and Evangelism for decline has defined the mainline Figures for member churches of outstanding examples of faithful­ the Conference of denominations since the mid­ the Baptist Union in 2002 ness allied with fruitfulness. European Churches. twentieth century. suggest that membership may Too many local churches are Few of us will have noticed have risen for the first time in not growing because of either the demise of the British Church over fifteen years, by between lack of vision, laziness, lack of Growth Association earlier this 50-1 00. Not a large increase, but concern, failure to grasp oppor­ year. Its former resources will against the general decline tunities to engage in the local reside in an institute dedicated to across the wider UK church scene community, a refusal to relocate church health and vitality -con­ it is some encouragement! premises in order to follow cerns vital to the future of UK Additionally, there were a population movement, or simply churches. However, its closure recorded total of 3,930 profes­ a loss of nerve or confidence in and the attempt to re-focus ac­ sions of faith - almost eleven the gospel. I have heard too tivity in this way should at the people a day who discovered a many church leaders buttress very least alert us to a possible personal faith in Jesus through their rationale for declining shift in the way that churches are the witness of a Baptist church. numbers with the conviction that defining successful ministry and The numbers of those being gospel fruitfulness is the inevit­ mission. By measuring quality it is baptised has been steadily able casualty of faithfulness to possible to avoid the ecclesias­ increasing since 1996 with the the gospel. I remember the tical headaches brought on by calculated total for baptisms in words of a pastor who was dwindling numbers. 2002 suggesting 4,660, an listening to a local church leader Perhaps though, the shift in increase of several hundred over lament the loss and steady emphasis is not quite as seismic the previous year. The numbers decline of the membership of his as it might at first appear. Maybe of children and young people church. The pastor leaned over it's time for some theological attending programmes run by and whispered to a neighbour, soul-searching about why we our churches increased from 'This is an apology for failure.' think it's so important to ask the 123,000 to 138,000 between The neighbour responded, 'This is question, 'Why aren't we grow­ 1990 and 2000. So, there is a polemic for failure!' The ing?' Is it really the most impor­ some good news to talk about! moment that a church in the tant question to ask? What Where there is lack of West offers decline as evidence about, 'Why aren't we trans­ growth there is no unitary pathol­ of gospel faithfulness is the forming society?' or, 'Why aren't ogy. There are many reasons we moment that such a church has we living more authentically are 'not growing', and it will not forfeited its right to be known by Christian lives?' or, 'Why aren't do to point to external factors the name of the one who we more prayerful?' or again, and blame trends in society. In commissions it to make disciples 'Why aren't seeing more broken his recent book, Hope for the in that name.

Volume 3 Issue 2 19 feature Is big-event evangelism back?

Andy Hawthorne reflects on Festival: Manchester

Andy Hawthorne radical 'celebration of faith, repair and upgrading of public week was immensely enjoyable. I is Director of The Ahope and life' came to a and private facilities in dozens of went along with my church, but Message Trust which grand finale as Festival: estates. couldn't actually class myself as a has birthed The Tribe, Manchester drew a crowd of Dozens of letters have Christian. Through this event, I EDEN, the Xcelerate 55,000+ to enjoy live music, flooded into our offices since the have come to know God, and I evangelist training extreme sports, family fun and event, here are a few extracts: have become a Christian. it was school, The Life­ powerful preaching in the city's fantastic helping the children of Centre, Planet Life, Heaton Park. The event brought I would like to say a big Openshaw ... Thank you ever so EDEN bus ministry and to a close one of the largest thank you to all the volunteers much for giving me these oppor­ lots more. Andy is also Christian events ever staged in who helped and worked so hard tunities. a popular conference the UK. to clean up my local area (Lower Heather (delegate) speaker and has The Message Trust partnered Broughton, Sa/ford) and Peel spoken at Spring with The Luis Palau Evangelistic Park which I have not seen so I am sure that the festival Harvest, Soul Survivor, Association, as well as over 500 clean in along time. Thank you will have a lasting impact on your New Wine, churches, Manchester and Sal­ again. city, but I want you to know that Stoneleigh, Easter ford City Councils, Greater Man­ Elaine, Local Resident, you have had a big impact on People and many chester Police, dozens of Lower Broughton Sa/ford those of us from other places in more. He is corporate and private supporters the UK. The group of young Manchester born and and many cutting edge youth I've been looking around at people we brought along have bred and has a ministries to produce the event, a lot of the projects that the just been electrified by what they burning passion to see which combined community young people have been involved saw and what they did in Man­ the young people of service and social action projects in and I'm overwhelmed by the chester. Although we have been his city transformed with a massive free two day festi­ commitment, the energy and the taken away from Manchester, by the gospel. val. enthusiasm and all the fantastic what we experienced in Man­ Around 5,000 delegates things that you've been doing all chester can never be taken away from throughout the UK and this week. from us. Western Europe worked on over Hazel 8/ears, MP Home Neil, Youth Leader 300 projects in some of the city's Office Minister most deprived areas. Over four 'Fantastic', 'awesome', 'a days, some 75,000 hours of work Hi I just wanted to drop in a defining moment', 'an out­ were contributed to the cleanup, quick note to say that the whole standing example of how good Christian events can be', 'brilliant - from start to finish' - these are just a few of the superlatives and expressions used to describe their day by those we took along on the coach to Festival: Man­ chester. John, Church Leader

We have two small children (9 and 11) and they loved it all ... Most of all we enjoyed hearing Luis Palau speak and held hands to say the prayer recommitting our lives to Jesus together on the hill. Thanks. Paul, Ruth, Suzanne and Sarah

20 TALK The Mainstream Magazine Photos: facing page; top Andy Hawthorne with Luis Palau; bottom left the crowd at Heaton Park. Bottom right addressing the crowd.

Around 5,000 delegates from ''throughout the UK and Western Europe worked on over 300

Just wanted to say a big projects in some of the city's thank you to the whole team for Festival Manchester. I came with most deprived areas my sister on the Sunday evening and she publicly gave her life to Christ. We both went to church the following Sunday and were mightily blessed and filled with '' the Spirit. My sister is now on fire for the Lord and we look forward to serving him even more. Caroline

Festival: Manchester will leave a lasting mark on the city, from the over 1,500 new believers who made decisions for Christ during the week to the massive skate park, built by volunteers with donated materials, which will soon be permanently installed at a Manchester recreation facility. The full impact of the festival of course will only be known in heaven. For a long time we've dreamt of a church community that's not only for the like­ minded, but one that gets in­ volved with broken communities that desperately need Jesus. At Festival: Manchester that dream started to become a reality. The challenge of course now for the Church is not to rush back under the bowl with our lights, as we so often do after a mission like this, but having learnt that 'our light really does shine in the darkness and the darkness, no matter how dark, really can't :i: 0 overcome it' but to instead con­ -.::: m tinually and contagiously let our CO light shine so that people will see '2 ~ our good deeds and praise our 0 Father in heaven. I 0 0 ..c- Q.

Volume 3 Issue 2 21 ~etwork news

Regional meetings: The North East joins the flow

or many years, those of us we gathered to worship, to down to eat at the cafe in St Fin the North East have pray and to listen as Rob James's Park, Rob (claiming to clocked up the miles travelling White encouraged us to catch be a rugby fan) was com­ to the deep south of Lanca­ the 'heartbeat of leadership'. pletely oblivious to the fact shire, Yorkshire or Derbyshire Powerfully and practically, he that it was a football stadium! to get to Mainstream events! made us think through our Our final session looked at the A number of us regularly take aims and motives in leader­ third Mainstream commit­ our leadership teams to the ship. If we are seeking to de­ ment - to get stuck into mis­ conference and have found it velop people's passion for sion. Rob challenged us to be an immensely encouraging God, what is our passion like? more intentional about identi­ experience. However, on If we are to be real in relation­ fying and using our own Thursday 26th June we re­ ships, then what are we doing 'grace stories' (accounts of Peter Nodding brings us news versed the flow, and enjoyed to promote maturity in one how God has affected our of the Mainstream network and our first Mainstream North another? Speaking openly lives), and equipping others to other connections. Peter chairs East day at Westgate Baptist from recent experiences in do the same. the Mainstream Leadership team Church, Newcastle. We had Poynton, he challenged us to In all it was a great day and is the Senior Pastor at Purley reckoned that there was an think practically about how of meeting together, inspira­ Baptist Church, Surrey. itch in the North East waiting we build relationships that tional challenge and concrete Peter. [email protected] to be scratched: pastors were foster spiritual growth and issues to chew over. The re­ networked and resourced effective mission, reminding sponse was clear- 'When can (and prepared to travel on us that, as leaders, we are we do this again?'- so watch Word & Spirit Network occasions!), but wider church especially prone to getting this space. If you are in the Contacts: leaders were not. We were tied up in church activities North East (or close), come proved correct when around rather than relationships with and join us! For more infor­ Anglia: Craig Millward 01493 forty people turned up - God and people. Leadership, mation on our next day, con­ 731 009 craig. millward@ntlworld. many of them in leadership he reminded us, is primarily tact me on 0191 265 7044 or com teams and representing the about appetite for God. [email protected] Central: Chris Densham 01992 length of our region. All this talk of hunger lain Macaulay, 462838 From Northallerton (in ensured that a good lunch Newcastle Cotswolds: Philip Deller. 01386 the south!) to Alnwick in the was required, though it must 840720 CCBC1 @bluecarrots.com north (nearly 100 miles apart), be noted that when we sat Devon: Richard Starling. 01626 8347 55 ris@ baptiser. freeserve. co. uk East Sussex: Andy Caldwell andycaldwell@ 1caldwell.freeserve .co.uk Ketal'i.ng: In·· step wit~ tile Spirit - "'"- ""·,- "''" '\..' -..,, c ' • ' NewcastlefNorth East: lain Macaulay office@heatonbaptist. Spirit ai Work ip theUfe. of org our churches. What was not .. North: Glen Marshal! 01924 , dtar; tiowewr,:~was how we ·· 387225 glen@wakefieldbaptist. ....•. ·, Surrey, Hants. Sussex: Graham tneetin9s.Jn ti~~e,::P~ter Jefferson 01903 262313 .,;NQddifl9 wii be spea,l

22 TALK The Mainstream Magazim Consultation with younger leaders

n mid-June I travelled froJl ministers with by the enthusiasm and like them, want to be 'as ILondon through the ,.ine years' passion they showed for sharp as I can' for God and Cotswolds to toe Community experience: They'd been walking with God;The group wantto be guided by him in of the Open Door to attend •·.· meeting as a group expressed a concern to all things. Energise, a Mainstream (Mainstream's Young and engage with and try to As the group was leav­ retreat for young and Emerging Leaders' Network} undftistand difficult and ing, it was felt that it was emerging leaders. This was.to fOf[.about seventeen months. controversial issues, and I important for us to commit be my first involvement with Everyone was incredibly wel­ found this really refreshing. ourselves to be as passionate Mainstream beyond reading coming and open. Peter, Rob and Graham's about God as possible, and the magazine, and I'd never We began with worship•. investment of time to be with to keep working until we saw heard of a young and and from .. that opening ses- · such a group of young leaders God breaking through in our emerging leaders' group. sion together, I felt a svong was a real blessing. They. communities. The willingness That was until one of them, sense of God being present along with t11e rest of the to commit and seek with Ellen Hussey~ a fellow with us. Listening to the group; were keen for us all to such passion made me really student at Spurgeon's spll!akers,;jnduding Peter. develqp as leaders, and to excited about what God will College - invited me to this Nodding, Rob White and l;telp each other as welt as to achieve through his church in event, so frankly I had no Graham Jefferson, sharing learn from;.,em. 1 felt very this country. What is God idea of what was going to their experiences of ministry that being involved going to do in your commu­ happen. and theirrlesire::to be as sharp is group could only nity? l can't wait to see what Twenty or so people as possible for tlod was efit my development as a he's going to do in mine! were at the retreat, most of fantastic. I was really inspired er and minister-to-be. I, fan Pearce

Personal Profile: Roger Standing, Regional Minister, Southern Counties

We saw hundreds of young I was called to be the appointed and shortest­ people come to faith during Senior Minister at West serving Area Superintendent our time there, most notably Croydon Baptist Church in prior to the BUGB changes. through the evangelistic 1990 and the '90s proved to Since last year, I have been 'Jesus Disco' we ran. lt was be a fantastic decade. We the Regional Minister I Team great fun living in the city cen­ had an excellent staff team, Leader of the new Southern tre, just up the road from the over 120 people came to faith Counties' Association, based Adelphi Hotel, and our eldest and were baptised, an ecu­ in Berkshire. Our family has daughter got to be born a menically-based ministry with been changing too and Scouser. refugees was initiated and we growing into a new stage. From Liverpool we moved experimented with an exciting Debra, our eldest, left univer­ to Manchester, where I theatre I cinema style of out­ sity and got married last year, trained for the Methodist min­ reach. and now lives in Chatham. istry, got my theology degree Having come to faith in a Our second daughter, Ruth, and went to work in Strange­ charismatic context and been had a year out with a BMS ways Prison Chaplaincy each filled with the Spirit right at Action Team in Calcutta 'I was born and brought up week. My first pastorate was the beginning of my Christian before going to Manchester in Norfolk' seems a pretty in the Leeds, Horsforth & life, it was good to discover to study. She has since got mundane and uninteresting Bramley Circuit where, along­ Mainstream at the outset of engaged and is planning to way to start, but it's true. lt side my personal wrestling my time as a Baptist, and to marry next summer. Marion is also explains why I'm a mem­ about whether I was minister­ have the opportunity to serve now a deputy head in Sand­ ber of Norwich City FC, but ing in the right denomination, on the national leadership hurst (actually acting head that's more about roots and we saw God do some great team for the last few years. teacher for the last term), and the triumph of wishful think­ things! My convictions about Personally, my passion re­ oh, of course, I couldn't ing over reality than it is believers' baptism and mains to see a Spirit-filled, forget Nathan who was born about me. scriptural authority meant culturally relevant and evange­ five years ago. Would you be 1978 was an important that ultimately, when I'd been listically effective church serve surprised to learn that, like his year for me. lt was the year I interviewed by the Methodist the purposes of God in our dad, he supports Norwich left Norfolk, married Marion and Baptist authorities, every­ generation. City? and began my ministry. I had one concluded that I was a Having felt very much at been called to work as an Baptist, and a 'free transfer' home and welcome in the evangelist based at the Meth­ was arranged. Baptist Union, it was a privi­ odist Central Hall in Liverpool. lege in 2001 to be the last

Volume 3 Issue 2 23 by Philip Deller

Philip Deller aving nearly closed three The 'culture of invitation' is well instrumental in bringing together Minister of Chipping Htimes in its history, a Baptist established. a wider group of clergy and their Campden Baptist church in the Cotswolds has At CCBC we have a vision for partners from all denominations Church since 1996. changed from a dwindling hand­ growth, firmly believing that to encourage and minister to one Trained at Spurgeon's ful of members in the late 1970s church planting is the best way another. We believe that these College and began to a thriving fellowship that is to make kingdom growth bi-monthly meetings are very sig­ ministry at Leigh Road seeing growth in all areas (over happen within our rural context. nificant for the area: called 'Days Baptist Church in 100 baptisms since 1996), has In 1999, we planted a new of Refreshing', they take place at Essex. planted one church and is now church in nearby Shipston-on­ a local Christian retreat centre. seeking to plant another. Stour (SVBC) with thirty-four of At CCBC, we are committed In 1987, God sent to Chip­ our members plus children. lt has to both Word and Spirit. ping Campden Baptist Church now grown to a congregation of Preaching is primarily biblical (CCBC) a young, newly-trained about 100. CCBC and SVBC exposition, consisting of both pastor, Howard Jones, whose retain close links and the two teaching and evangelism. As a ministry the Lord greatly blessed. congregations worship together church we encourage one A young pastor attracting young every Sunday evening. another into a deeper passion for people to a church with older The concept of working to­ Jesus. I believe that under God's established members is some­ gether in covenant relationship anointing the church of Jesus times a recipe for disaster - but was introduced in 1999, and it Christ can be again a prophetic not at CCBC, where everyone now comprises a cluster of four voice in our communities. Our was delighted to see the Lord at churches, which we call Corner­ worship times together are led by work. Membership rose steadily stone Churches. We all share the a dedicated and gifted group of to over seventy, and a firm foun­ same vision and resources to fa­ worshippers, and there is a real dation of love, unity and expecta­ cilitate church growth, church atmosphere of love and care tion was established for the planting and revival. The minis­ within the church. In comparison future. ters meet together regularly to to only twenty years ago, the All this I sensed when I ar­ pray, we share joint celebrations, Lord has brought about a tre­ rived in 1996 and sought to lead prayer and praise meetings, and mendous transformation in the church toward a vision for hold a weekend away for all Cor­ response to prayer: from a revival. This began with a com­ nerstone Churches every year. handful of members to a joint plete refurbishment, trans­ Cornerstone gift days are held congregation of nearly 250 forming the church interior from annually for the Vision Fund, a between CCBC and SVBC today! a traditional rural chapel to an resource which can be used by We believe this is just the inspiring place of worship and any Cornerstone Church to sup­ beginning. community outreach. port major developments in line Our vision remains: Worship and prayer are cor­ with our vision. Currently we are nerstones of the church. The seeking a Director of Children's • To proclaim Jesus Christ to church business meeting, re­ Ministry to work across our people today ferred to as the Church Vision churches. • To make disciples Meeting, and deacons' meetings lt has been a joy to see God • To build God's church and see consist primarily of prayer and raising up leaders for full-time revival worship, as pastor, leadership ministry at home and abroad. • To plant new churches and congregation constantly seek Through these people, we have • To reach the nations God's will for the future. Alpha links in countries as diverse as has been our most successful Papua New Guinea, Turkey and The more effective we are in tool for outreach based on Romania, as well as countries in worship and fellowship, the friendship evangelism, and is sup­ which our BMS Link Missionaries greater will be our effectiveness ported by the whole church as all are working. We work with other in mission. home-groups provide the meals. local churches, and have been

24 TALK The Mainstream Magazine world church Shining as lights in a dark Ylorld

by Simon Jones

'When I'm holding you tight, aid, development, medical and great to see her face-to-face,' you give me the power educational work. Most of our Karen says. 'We saw pictures, To burn like a torch people are in small, multi-national heard about where she works in the darkest hour teams and are able to derive and lives and shops. We were Tell me what you need some strength and support for able to put the pieces of her life I will surely come through the task from their colleagues. together, connect up the various Anything, anytime, anywhere But all of them stress how impor­ bits of information we've re­ For you' tant it is to have people back ceived in the past.' home praying regularly for them. But Karen is keen to ask how ot many of you will have 'I can only face the really much information do we really Nthought of applying Bruce tough challenges of this place need in order to support Cockburn's lyrics to missionary because I know that people at someone in a difficult place? Is support. But the truth is that we home pray every day for me,' there a tendency in a celebrity­ each shine brighter in this dark says one. Another says, 'People driven culture to invade the world when we stand together. praying at home were the differ­ privacy of those working People who work in faraway ence between me cracking up overseas? 'I felt people asking places, often on their own, tell us and hanging together.' She was questions were pushing for every that they're only able to do it reflecting on how she coped in last ounce of personal detail. because they know of folk back the wake of the shooting dead of Why do they need to know that? home praying for them. And a close colleague. The trouble is lt was almost voyeuristic.' We when we hear news of trouble or that it is difficult to generate and need to ask ourselves, 'Why are challenges, our response is 'Tell maintain interest in work and we involved in link-up?' she us what we can do - anything, workers in countries you can't continues. 'Is it to satisfy our anytime, anywhere .. .' And we talk openly about in your curiosity about people, places mean it. churches. 'Getting people en­ and situations? Or is it to pray That's easy to do when the thused about mission overseas is and stand with these people?' countries our people work in are difficult enough, and a link to a So Karen's link-up group safe, open and tolerant like ours, sensitive area compounds the meets every two months to pray and our friends can tell us in problem,' says Karen Kaneen, for Kitty and the general situation great detail about their lives and BMS General Committee mem­ in south central Asia. They have work. it's not as easy when our ber, whose church is linked to been able to find lots of folk are working in places that Kitty working in south central information on the web and in are not so welcoming of outsid­ Asia. 'We can't get the day-to­ the media about the country. ers, especially Christian ones. day detail and stories that This is supplemented by the pool And yet often these are the workers in other countries are of knowledge acquired by the places where the light of God is able to supply.' group from prayer-letters, emails most needed. How do we sup­ Forming a personal relation­ and personal notes from Kitty port such people? How do we ship is vital to generating prayer herself. The rest, of course, is up make meaningful links with and other kinds of support, she to God, who not only knows the them? What can our contribution continues. 'We've had letters and situations our friends are in, but be to making their mission possi­ lots of information from BMS works in response to our prayers, ble? about Kitty, but she often has to leading to the light shining more BMS World Mission works in be vague about some of the brightly in more of the world's a number of areas around the things that are happening,' she darkest places. world described as 'sensitive'. says. So a recent visit to Karen's Our witness to the love of God in group was really valuable in ce­ these places is entirely through menting relationships. 'lt was

Volume 3 Issue 2 25 Latest from Sign-up our vvebsite for an annual id you know that you can Details of how to pay for each Dfind out details of what is course are also included. subscription going on Mainstream-wise in As we promised at your region, dip into the latest conference, the website is You get three issues per year - spring. summer and autumn

Number of Subscription copies per price issue 1 £12.00 2 £24.00 3 £34.00 4 £44.00 5 £52.00 10 £75.00 magazine, read key articles gradually evolving into a from past editions and place a useful one-stop shop for all subscription for the next one, Mainstream-affiliated find out how plans for the churches. You'll also find brief Cheques payable Mainstream. next conference are details of the main themes developing and place a the Leadership Team are booking - all by visiting currently praying through. www.mainstream-uk.com? And we're expecting that as The very latest section to Rob White is released appear on the website is a list amongst us next year, this will of nineteen courses and inter­ provide the impetus for us to active workshops that mem­ develop the 'Links to Related bers of the Leadership Team Ministries' section of the have developed in their own website. setting and are happy to make available to you for use New Subscription Order Form in yours. They are to be found on the Resources page of the ------website, which also Please send me.___ copies per issue for£__ _ carries details Name ______of the kind of context each course is best -C.OVf:an- Address.______-h>t!rid<:tftl• CQf~Lb-u. 6 ft(lfb'l!Ji»- suited for. So, if you're Astirnt> \JO-&a ::~v 1tia ::liH intt>:rtion bprovi:t~Hn-of ______Po~Code ______r1>U:UI"!n ;and ::>:31M>rmorl~hi'.a.Wz,kt!J9io ':lfofl'.rin~II'El fl'llrl<\.il'lg ti\!!r<\f><:: WhUh h~lf>. Mfl-11, n;n lh 'NIIlfl.H~ p111~A~ ">I looking for a tT.f'ttlbf~Nf"llbt" ~IJ'lAA'.F:lnt'<'l IF!IIr'IP>N;hp tl!l ... GIIUI\.. ~1 0 iiWhOJ:o tu liml\W~ church tc lf'!C<.. (I-t~ henumb.uclpev;•)ewho \<11! JeQard .n'et.rfml~'. Whot:rw1dtw.ango11tlrnb""ht~P~'.PicbChn:l!D1:i~ht'IC Main~ream, 19 Keephatch House Montague Close, p tc:c <~fpr4y

26 TALK The Mainstream Magazine the wright stuff Stories and systems

Stories are provocative, suggestive and ""2 Ill 0.. 0.. evocative, but need to be at the service Q) ..c Vl Q) :.>2 of joined-up thinking and preaching u ~ B ..c0 a_ by Nigel G Wright

Dr Nigel G Wright is principal of uch attention has focused Yoder's approach has unintended connected sequence of ideas is Spurgeon's College, in recent years on the consequences. For one thing, it planted in people's minds and M London. He is well power of story, on the makes many of his writings seem begins to operate upon their known for his many predominance of narratives like one end of a telephone wills. books including The within Scripture in general and conversation, with the other half it is clear that Jesus, the Radical Evangelical the teaching of Jesus in particular being known to him and nobody story-teller par excellence, had and Challenge to and on the place of story-telling else, or at the most a few others such a pattern of connected Change. His latest as a primary genre for preaching. who could hear the other end of ideas. it began with the book is A Theology of This is all well and good. I wish I the conversation as well. For conviction that the awaited reign the Dark Side: Putting could do it better. We all know another, it means that he fails to of God had drawn near to people the Power of Evil in its the formative and communicative spell out comprehensively exactly and was eliciting the response of Place, (Paternoster power of stories from our own what he is saying with the result a changed mind and a trans­ 2003). Nigel was experience. But in this column I that he is consistently formed heart. The stories he told President of the enter a plea for the parallel misunderstood. Somebody else were shot through with these Baptist Union 2002. rediscovery of the systematic then has to come along and do convictions, which in turn were communication of ideas. Stories what Yoder refused to do- write born of his reading of the which are not backed by a clear a book which systematically sets Hebrew Scriptures and his and systematic exposition of the out what he was trying to say. understanding of how those content of faith are apt to Overall, the unsystematic Scriptures were fulfilled in entertain without transforming. approach reduced the influence himself. I recently read an exposition and impact he could have had. it worries me that in the of a theologian with whose Because he declined to give a swing towards story-telling, we writings I have had a lot to do. systematic outline of his ideas, might end up with a less firm John Howard Yoder was one of they were known only to those grasp of the fundamental convic­ those Christian thinkers who few who had read everything he tions that constitute our faith. didn't like 'systematic theology'. had written, which was hardly People who have a clear message He was happier with a more anybody. are more likely to persuade conversational, interactive style Preaching is intended to in­ others about the meaning of ex­ of theological reflection and this fluence people and shape the istence and the way to live in ac­ was expressed in dozens of way they think and live. I'm all for cordance with God's purpose. articles, published and un­ the use of stories, but behind the Stories are indeed provocative, published, in which he pursued stories we tell there has to be a suggestive and evocative, but his ideas in dialogue with others. clear understanding of the ideas need to be at the service of For this reason, they were highly we are communicating to peo­ joined-up thinking and preaching. specific, reflecting and engaging ple, so that they will be moti­ We need to attend more than we the concerns and controversies of vated in certain directions: there do to what those fundamental his conversation partners, many has to be a 'pattern of sound ideas are if we want to avoid pro­ of whom remained unknown to words' or a 'rule of faith' which ducing a church which knows the the general reader. Systematic constitutes the essence of the stories but is unable to articulate theology was suspect because it message. We might otherwise its essential message. was thought to confine God, or describe this as the intellectual the church, within a 'system' and content of our faith which re­ this itself was inclined to become quires a response. Without this, oppressive. God, and people, the stories we tell become woolly can't be treated like this. and say nothing of enduring sig­ This is an important insight. nificance. In short, we need a But noble and true though it is, systematic theology, so that a

Volume 3 Issue 2 27 What's Mainstream all about?

ainstream is an informal network, mainly comprising Baptist Mleaders and churches. We are absolutely convinced that the authority of God's Word and the power of the Holy Spirit must always be brought together. it's only then that we can be fully under the Lord's control, direction and empowering and have any hope of doing properly the things he wants us to do.

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Published by Mainstream -Word and Spirit Network. All articles express the views of the author and not those of the Editor or Mainstream. Copyright is that of the author. Editor will consider requests to reproduce any article. Contact Stephen lbbotson on stephenibbotson@a/tbapt. clara. net