CENTRAL BAPTIST ASSOCIATION A Strategy for Mission…..Reviewed.

CENTRAL BAPTIST ASSOCIATION

A Strategy for Mission…A Strategy for Mission…

..Reviewed..Reviewed


In 2002 the Regional team consulted with the churches and researched the four county structure plans to see how a Mission Strategy might be constructed that would shape the Mission work of the Regional ministers (especially the Mission Enabler) and provide a steer for the churches as they design their own mission strategies. After a one-year listening and consultation period, the following plan was offered, honed and accepted by ministers meetings, informal gatherings, and the Association Council, and it was welcomed without amendment at the CBA Assembly in 2003.


In summary: The Regional team and Association Council have a vision that by 2010 every church will have…..

1. A course for faith and discipleship

2. A project in the community for the community

3. A concern to reach across cultural divides

4. A share in strategic mission planning

5. A responsibility for supporting Baptist Mission


In summary: The Regional team and Association Council have a vision that by 2010 every church will have…..

1. A course for faith and discipleship

2. A project in the community for the community

3. A concern to reach across cultural divides

4. A share in strategic mission planning

5. A responsibility for supporting Baptist Mission


In 2006 a questionnaire was offered to all 150 churches in our Association asking how these objectives had been worked with by the churches in their mission during the three years 2003 to 2006.

75 churches responded, some large, some small, some without even part-time ministry. Some were rural, some were urban. The only churches missing from these results were the very large churches.


1. Every church be offering access to at least one course for faith and discipleship

So, by 2010…., our aim is that So, by 2010…., our aim is that


Introduction to faith courses guide, Introduction to faith courses guide, giving a brief review of the options availablegiving a brief review of the options available

Introduction to this Baptist church Introduction to this Baptist church coursecourseA new 5 week flexible downloadable and adaptable resource for A new 5 week flexible downloadable and adaptable resource for churches churches

How have we tried to help? By offering advice, by linking churches with those that already do this, by researching the resouces available and by providing two free resources on our website.


1

2

S1

75

103

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

Has your church run any such courses for faith & discipleship since 2003

Churches responded

New courses commenced

How have the churches responded? In the 75 churches that responded to the survey 103 new courses were commenced.


2. Every church be involved in at least one community project and have a growing concern for issues of peace, justice and the environment

and, by 2010….our aim is that and, by 2010….our aim is that


Mission consultanciesMission consultanciesInformation/contacts for new Information/contacts for new projectsprojectsand by developing innovative, sustainable and replicable and by developing innovative, sustainable and replicable

ways for churches to begin ways for churches to begin Health ministriesHealth ministries

How have we tried to help? By offering


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S1

75 96

0

20

40

60

80

How many churches have commenced new projects for the local community since 2003

Churchesresponded

New Projects commenced

How have the churches responded? In the 75 churches that answered the questionnaire, 96 new projects have begun.


3. Every church will have regular opportunities to engage with people from at least one other culture

and, by 2010…. we hope thatand, by 2010…. we hope that


By forming Mission teamsMission teamsBy sharing a Mission Enabler to help churches reachBy sharing a Mission Enabler to help churches reach

Migrant workersMigrant workersByBy identifying funds to employ a youth development identifying funds to employ a youth development

worker to help our churches address worker to help our churches address youth cultureyouth cultureAnd byAnd by bringing togetherbringing together “The Carey “The Carey Experience” Experience” to inspireto inspire people topeople to deeper deeper involvement in mission. involvement in mission. (Has your church (Has your church done the tour yet?)done the tour yet?)

How have we tried to help?


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S1

75

23

0

20

40

60

80

Has your church engaged with any new groups since 2003

New projects commenced

Churches responded

How have the churches responded? In the 75 churches that responded, 23 projects with new cultural groups were started.


And by 2010….we want And by 2010….we want

4. Every church to have a share in Strategic Mission Planning including church planting where appropriate


By liasing with Church leaders on Church plantingBy liasing with Church leaders on Church planting

By appointing By appointing Ecumenical newbuild officers Ecumenical newbuild officers for MK and Northamptonshirefor MK and Northamptonshire

By offering By offering Church planting/Fresh expression Church planting/Fresh expression coursescoursesByBy encouragingencouraging strategic clustering strategic clustering in newbuild in newbuild areasareasBy advocating for newbuild church-planting at National By advocating for newbuild church-planting at National levellevel

And by encouraging aAnd by encouraging a Year of prayer for Year of prayer for newbuild areasnewbuild areas

How have we tried to help?


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S1

75

43

0

20

40

60

80

Has your church linked up with other churches in planning any major mission initiatives

How have the churches responded?

43 of the 75 churches that replied have been engaged in major mission initiatives with other churches


5. Every church will be owning a responsibility for supporting Baptist mission so that by 2010, through BMS World Mission and Home Mission, we will together be giving £1million for mission every year.

And by 2010…we hope thatAnd by 2010…we hope that


1

2

S1

75

69

0

20

40

60

80

How many churches have invested more into mission

How have the churches responded?

69 of the 75 are giving significantly more for mission now than three years ago.At the end of 2006 it was apparent that BMS and Home Mission giving have risen faster than in other Associations. But not fast enough quite yet!


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2

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75

435

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

How many baptisms have you had since 2003

We asked a few more key questions…like the number of Baptisms in those 75 churches since 2003. No less than 435!


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75

823

0

200

400

600

800

1000

How many new church members ?

And 823 new members!


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S1

75

27

0

20

40

60

80

Have the attendances at services & events increased since 2003

For 75 churches average growth in attendance 12%

For 43 churches average growth in attendance 20.5%

Increase in attendances at services and events has grown by 12% on average, and in 43 churches by 20%.


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S1

75

273

0

100

200

300

How many of your church members have got more involved with their local community since the beginning

of 2003

273 church members in the 75 churches have got more involved with their local community in the three years


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S1

75

348

0

100

200

300

400

How many of your congregation have volunteered to work with other churches or mission projects here or abroad since the beginning of

2003

And 348 congregation members in those 75 churches have volunteered to work with other churches here or abroad in the the three years


Together we canTogether we can

Some churches do all of these things. Other churches can only do one or two. But if the churches who can do these things will find ways to help those who cannot, then

…..see every church doing them by 2010


Together we can!Together we can!

If you want to help make these aims a reality, please tell us what more we can do as an Association to help you. Ring Helen on 01788 817292

And if your church is already doing all these things, please take a few moments to think about how you can help another church do them.

CENTRAL BAPTIST ASSOCIATION A Strategy for Mission…..Reviewed.

Documents

baptist mission slide

baptist church course

association council

mission enabler

mission strategy

mission work

mission strategies

large churches