Review of the year 2023
Highlighting the 30 most clicked pieces in The Baptist Times over the last 12 months
1
Baptist Union Council: March 2023
A report from the March Council
2
Mission is…. The Baptist Assembly 2023
An introduction to the 2023 Assembly, held in Telford
3
The Church in England and Wales is changing shape - not declining
Is this narrative of decline actually true? Bible Society has found it isn't, for when we ask wider questions, we begin to see things rather differently, explains Mark Woods
4
Spurgeon’s College welcomes Pastor Rick Warren as its first honorary Chancellor
Spurgeon’s College has jointly announced with the Revd Dr Rick Warren his installation as its first honorary Chancellor
5
'Don’t forget, there’s still a simple, safe, sustainable way to be church in community'
Renew Wellbeing is a Christian charity founded by Baptist pastor Ruth Rice which seeks to end isolation and help facilitate better mental health for all. It works in partnership with churches to offer quiet shared spaces where ‘it’s ok not be ok.’
Ruth recently sat down for a chat with fellow Baptist minister Shaun Lambert to share how these quiet shared spaces came about - and explain more about the impact they're having
6
Baptist Union Presidency for Steve Finamore
Baptists have discerned that Steve Finamore will serve as our President in 2024-2025
7
Sharing Christ’s Great Banquet - Tim Presswood inducted as President
New President Tim Presswood introduced his theme in the form of a powerful and challenging poem as he was inducted at the Baptist Assembly on Saturday (17 June)
8
Baptist Union Council: October 2023
A report from the October Council
9
Repair café opens in Baptist church
The Chiddingfold Repair Café has launched in Chiddingfold Baptist Church in south Surrey. Minister Joao Bolzan explains more
10
‘Wonderfully, consistently, yet quietly encouraging and supporting’
Tributes have been paid to former Baptist Union treasurer David Nixon, who died in January
11
'So many young leaders... and their passion for Jesus was incredible'
Young Baptist leaders have been reflecting on the impact of participating in a global mission summit organised by the European Baptist Federation
12
#Digital Pentecost
A series of conversations about shaping an online Baptist missional community. By Simon Goddard and Nathan McGuire
13
‘Unprecedented ecumenical exchange’ as a Baptist and Anglican church in Bristol swap buildings
Horfield Baptist Church and B&A Church in Bristol have moved into each other’s buildings after discerning they were more suited to their respective missions and ministries
14
We took our church through the 12 steps of recovery, and here’s what happened…
With several people joining Life Church in Cuffley from local recovery groups, pastor William Wade wondered if it might be helpful to go through the 12 steps of recovery programme as a discipleship series on Sunday mornings
15
Big church, little church
Watchet Baptist Church has been on a journey discovering new ways of being missional disciples of Jesus - and this has included an overhaul of Sundays. Minister Mike Sherburn is joined by several members in reflecting on what’s happened so far
16
Discernment focus for Theology Live
Theology Live on 19 January will take the time to reflect on how we discern, so central to our being Baptist, and the theology that gives it meaning and weight, organisers say
17
Being a young Christian post-Christendom: not just a numbers game
This article is the first in a series sharing perspectives from young Christians about being young Christians. The census results may have been a shock to many experienced Christians, but they were not a surprise to our young people, writes Amanda Higgin
18
Collaborative leadership for SCBA
The Southern Counties Baptist Association has called Clare Hooper and Hayley Young as its Regional Ministers Co Team Leaders
19
'This was a very different way of mission for us'
Mairi and Graham McBain are Community Pastors in Hartlepool and in July served as volunteers when the Tall Ships Race visited the town. They explain how this was part of their incarnational 'joining in' ministry there
20
‘None of us left that journey unchanged and unchallenged’
What happened when a group of Baptist ministers walked the Abbot's Way through the Dartmoor National Park. By Michael Shaw
21
Turning the tables on restaurant ecclesiology
Baptist minister Chris Brockway wants to nurture covenantal commitment in the local church, after realising the church experience for both leaders and congregation can be a consumeristic one - akin to life in a metaphorical restaurant
22
Churches come together as chaplains at Lowestoft festival
Ten chaplains volunteered their time to host a space where people could encounter the presence of God at the First Light Festival
23
The place of Pastoral Supervision in ministerial development
Retired Baptist minister Paul Campion highlights the importance of Pastoral Supervision or similar support and accountability, in order to experience life in all its fulness and to keep alive the flame of a calling and gifting in ministry
24
'Hope out of devastation'
Baptist minister David Hazeldine has survived four strokes and ‘locked-in’ syndrome. Though retired from full-time ministry on ill-health grounds, he is developing an itinerant ministry in London and the south east, and his miraculous recovery story has just been published
25
'Christ is with us' - General Secretary's message
'God is at work in wonderful ways in and through Baptists Together – let’s not lose sight of that in the face of our challenges.' So said General Secretary Lynn Green as she shared reflections during the BUGB session on Saturday afternoon
26
'Incredibly challenging - but tangibly showing Christ's love'
Baptists at the heart of the Israel-Hamas war have been sharing their anguish and grief at the situation unfolding before them, how they are helping support those affected
27
Starting the missional journey
How do we reach our communities for Jesus? William Wade has continued to reflect on this question since last year's Baptist Assembly. He offers this reflection and video
28
Three new regional ministers for London Baptists
London Baptists have announced the appointments of Lucy Wright, Claire Nicholls and Josh Kane to their regional ministry team
29
‘Praying the Lord will use this musical to impact many people’s lives for His Kingdom’
A new evangelistic musical written by a Baptist minister which tells the story behind the enduring hymn It is Well with My Soul is set to premiere in June
30
‘The new church and community centre is all about people and God’s care for them’
After years of planning, praying, and perseverance, ground was broken on Evesham Baptist Church’s new site in late November
Baptist Times, 15/12/2023