Starting A New Church (church planting) in Barnsley, UK

Preface:
Exactly two years on this day, which was a Sunday, a vision was shared with the Gateway Core team (although we had no name then) about starting a new church.  This is the written version - as it was then.  Amazing how God has brought this vision to fruition during the last two years.  "For nothing is impossible with God" (Matthew chapter 1.37, Bible).

 

New Church – possibilities!!!

 Meeting of Core Team on 16 January 2011

Theology – where do we start – there’s loads in the Bible!

See Isaiah 49.6 cf Acts 1.8. Matthew 13.33, 16.18, 28.16-20, Luke 13.18-19, John 20.21, Acts 2.42-47 cf 5.12-14 – as starting points

Complaint:

·         We’re not winning enough people for Jesus. 

·         We are shackled by a church institution that originally was a movement – we need freedom and flexibility as a local church body under the control of its head, Jesus Christ. 

·         We have been hindered by division, gossip, and heresy – we need to be united in Jesus and His gospel.

·         We have lost touch with our roots - the original movement of the Methodist church.  ‘In the providence of God Methodism was raised up to spread scriptural holiness through the land by the proclamation of the evangelical faith’ (Deed of Union).  We need to be missional not ecclesial (churchy).

Avoid:

·         Package mentality.  We cannot pretend to be another church from elsewhere, and clone/copy them (although there are good models around).  Be OURSELVES in CHRIST, LEARNING from others.  Be natural in accordance with gifts of members, and relevant.  Be unique.  Develop our own style

·         Hazy vision.  We must articulate the vision from the start so it is clear to all

·         Preoccupation with buildings.  The church is always the people and relationships.  A building is important but must not consume the church.  Be flexible, in case we have to move to another place

Priorities:

Bring glory to God:

·         Exalt supremacy of Jesus – especially his death & resurrection

·         Centrality of Bible - proclaim & explain.  Obey its divine revelation

·         Prayer - Jesus prayed before launching out

·         A passion for Barnsley people to convert to the Lord Jesus

·         Congregation living as missionaries in a godless society

·         The new church, one & all, living out a gospel-orientated & godly life – which attracts!

·         Taking risks for God – faith!

·         Effective & strong leadership – the micro influences the macro

·         Effective & strong lay-ministry – everyone using their God-given gifts and developing expertise.  We’re all ordained to do something!  Who is gifted for what?

·         Respect the Methodist Church, the Barnsley Circuit, and other Barnsley churches

Strategy:

·         Regular Sunday meeting.  Strong on Bible exposition (beginning with short talks) along with Q & A, lively praise, prayer and testimony.  Separate group/s for 0-11’s.  Food/meal.  Keep it simple.

·         Regular midweek growth groups (G.G.).  Strong on application from Bible (e.g. discuss talk from previous Sun).  Pastoral support for each other.  Focused prayer on new people e.g. inviting them to events. G.G. unite monthly for prayer mtg.  Provide food on Sun (rota).

·         Regular outreach events.  A blend of Social (Christians mixing with unbelievers – we’re not weird!), Topical (discuss relevant issues), & Evangelistic (e.g. Christianity Explored) events.

21^st century Barnsley expression of church:

·         Maximise use of technology.  Website, Facebook, Podcasts etc as ways of evangelising new people and discipleship of one another

·         Focus on specific people groups.  The new church must consider reaching children/youth, single parents & third agers. 

·         Supporting the needy e.g. work of Street Pastors, refugees, financially stricken & ministries abroad

·         Apologetics.  Arguing, debating and promoting the gospel in creative ways.  People’s minds need to be won - that Christianity is true and life-changing!

·         The work place.  The new church to help equip Christians as effective witnesses in their workplace, e.g. simply asking people to share in a Sun.mtg slot & church prays for them

Other emphases:

·         Open at the edges, committed at the core

·         Giving of money - must be gospel-orientated ie not into a black hole somewhere

·         Think about the next church plant asap – to win Barnsley for Jesus

·         Less ‘business meetings’ the better!  Minimal central structure serving needs of the new Church

·         Be a church that loves to be together - all ages/family (meals, celebrate birthdays, loads of photos, laughter, muck in together)

Challenges:

·         Location – where do we meet?  What time do we meet?

·         Name of new church? (securing charitable status)

·         Forming of a Leadership team.  Leaders must lead by example, faithfulness and love.  The main attribute is ‘character’ – see 1 Tim.3.1-13 & Titus 1.6-9

·         How do we attract new people?  Friendships, invites to outreach events, good publicity

·         Securing finances

·         Commissioning of church, publicity and LIFT OFF (you only get one chance to launch a new church)

Conclusion:

Start small (mustard seed analogy), keep it simple, have faith in a great God

Mark Reasbeck 16.01.2011