Logo

 

Banner Image:   Baptist-Times-banner-2000x370-
Template Mode:   Baptist Times
Icon
    Post     Tweet

The groups who use our church buildings

Are we interacting with them as much as we can, asks Sally Claydon?

 
I recently had the opportunity to visit a Girls’ Brigade (GB) group that has been a vibrant part of the church to which it’s attached for many years. The hall bustled with girls and young women of all ages engaging with a variety of activities from rounders and skipping to learning new skills and exploring how the stories of Jesus can relate to their lives.

The girls chatted excitedly telling me about a recent sleepover and all the fun they’d had. The evening concluded with a trip to the tuck shop and dozens of girls went home happy. 

When I returned home I thought it would be nice to write to the pastor of the church and let him know what a great ministry he has there in the shape of GB. Imagine my bewilderment when the GB leader later told me that the letter had been passed to her unread – they’d seen the GB branding and presumed it was for her. She expressed what many feel – that they’re seen as merely hirers of the hall and not, as they should be, an integral part of the body of Christ in that place.

Now my church is great at encouraging my GB group, but it has got me wondering about how the secular groups that hire our halls feel. It’s also made me consider whether we’re missing a trick in our outreach to the local community. Our church is the venue for a baby massage group, a running club, a bereavement support group and various children’s parties. Some of them hold keys to the premises enabling them to come and go, week by week, with little interaction with the church family.

I wonder how many of our church mums go along to the baby massage group. I wonder whether the baby massage group know about our church toddler group. I wonder whether any of our church members are members of the running club.

Wouldn’t it be great to deliberately plan a church meeting at the same time and offer to share refreshments together? How lovely it would be for church members to just be present while the bereavement support group meets. We could just simply make ourselves available - available to chat, available to offer a cuppa and a friendly face. And while we’re normally told to steer clear of the building while the children’s parties are in progress, wouldn’t it be great if folk were around to help clear up at the end?

I think that sometimes when churches think about mission, they think about ‘them out there…’ and forget to get involved in the lives of the people right under their noses. 


Sally Claydon is Girls’ Brigade team leader at 1st Hawkwell group, based at Hawkwell Baptist Church, Rochford, Essex, and a GB Development Worker in London. She writes a regular column about the Girls’ Brigade for The Baptist Times.

Catherine Burt, 29/05/2014
    Post     Tweet
Everyone Everywhere: a conversation with Alan Hirsch
Alex Harris reflects on a day inviting practitioners, planters, imaginers and leaders to think about how to create greater movement in sharing Jesus and starting churches
'Does this serve Jesus and his kingdom first?'
With input from Alan Hirsch, the latest Everyone Everywhere national conference explored missional togetherness, and how we become less institutional and more movement-oriented. Simon Hall offers this reflection
Navigating cultural landscapes: lessons from a reverse missionary
Mutual learning is central to bridging cultures, involving a two-way exchange where both parties bring their unique perspectives and insights to the table, writes Henry C. Ohakah, minister, Mountsorrel Baptist Church
An “Island of Strangers” or diverse communities of inclusion?
Once again, a Western government misleads its voters over immigration, writes John Heathershaw. Political discourse has become devoid of hope on this issue and misses the practical realities of inclusion
On the edge of the abyss
After recently spending eight days in Israel, Baptist church member David Nelson offers this reflection
Flourishing churches and the power of leadership
Laura Palmer shares reflections from a church planting conference hosted by the Bede Centre for Church Planting Theology at Cranmer Hall in Durham
     The Baptist Times 
    Posted: 08/05/2025
    Posted: 25/04/2025
    Posted: 11/04/2025
    Posted: 11/02/2025
    Posted: 03/02/2025
    Posted: 27/01/2025
    Posted: 18/12/2024
    Posted: 11/12/2024
    Posted: 28/11/2024
    Posted: 18/11/2024
    Posted: 14/10/2024
    Posted: 02/10/2024
     
    Text Size:  
    Small (Default)
    Medium
    Large
    Contrast:  
    Normal
    High Contrast