On Saturday 8th August 2015 the church had an away day at H.O.M.E, a small chapel in the Heart of Monks Eleigh.
I am sure that all who were able to attend the day had an enjoyable time. The weather was wonderful, the venue intimate and comfortable with all facilities we needed. Some of us walked to The Quiet Place in the afternoon which offered us a place for quiet reflection and meditation with God. Chris & Von lead us in song and worship at different times through the day and Simon engaged us with thoughts and prompts to help us as a fellowship to listen to God; to dream big dreams for and from God.
During the day we looked at the history of Witnesham Baptist Church, how it started as a Sunday school an outreach or mission from Stoke Green Baptist, when it began as a ‘church’ a desire for a blessing from the Bishop of St Edmundsbury & Ipswich. So in a sense we have, as a church, in our DNA - wanting to work with children, families, other denominations/Christians, willingness to serve with generosity, mission. Over the past 150 plus years there have been huge highs (200+ children) and deep troughs (members down to 4) yet it has been God’s will that His witness here remains. Our challenge and opportunity is to walk and work with our Lord to maintain and extend that witness into the village today. Looking back is good if it provides us with encouragement and stimulation to move forward.
Thoughts included ‘moans’ into positive ways of Church or future hopes. Below these are in columns in alphabetical order rather than priorities
:
From Moans experienced (elsewhere) To what we want to be to others
Boring sermons Engaging, interactive sermons
Boring Songs Relevant, contemporary songs
Dead Alive
Difficult Tunes Accessible + familiar tunes
Holier than Thou Real
Inaccessible Accessible
Lack of explanation Clear about what’s going on
Lack of Joy Alive and real
Lack of preparation Get prepared with pa/projection etc.
Lack of welcome Great welcome; good goodbyes
No intercession World aware prayers
Poor Coffee Great coffee & tea, drinks
Prayer Active prayer life
Sound issues Clarity of PA system, music,
Toilets Clean pleasant toilet environment
Unresponsive Responsive to people’s need
Some of the aspects or core functions of Church were brought forward as an encouragement and to establish where we are or must be, again in alphabetical order although it might be good to consider which are our priorities as a church:
Baptism; Biblical reading; Communion; Discipleship; God centred worship; Inclusivity; Meeting together/Fellowship; Mission; Prayer (including intercession); Serving others; Teaching (including but not exclusively preaching).
The ladies from Stoke Green when they started the Sunday School didn’t know what would grow from their early steps of faith; we must now keep hold of the baton of faith, step out and see where God leads us. We may have changed part of the building but which part of our (His) work needs to change? The wider society no longer looks first to the church for guidance or assistance, why? Are we within the church stifling the Holy Spirit so that others do not see the power of Christ in our lives? Is it our dream to see the people around us coming to know Jesus personally, are we prepared to let go of the past and let God do a new thing in our time? I know that I’m guilty of restricting God in my life, I’m not a big dreamer yet deep in my heart I desire to serve and let God lead my life. Together I pray that we might dream big dreams to let our big God leads us into sharing His love and power in new exciting visionary ways so that people will be drawn to Jesus through us.
Help me to dream BIG!
In Christ Jesus,
Andrew