CENTRAL BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
A Strategy for Mission…A Strategy for Mission…
..Reviewed..Reviewed
CENTRAL BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
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.
CENTRAL BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
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
CENTRAL BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
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
CENTRAL BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
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.
CENTRAL BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
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
CENTRAL BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
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.
CENTRAL BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
1
2
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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.
CENTRAL BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
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
CENTRAL BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
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
CENTRAL BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
12
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.
CENTRAL BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
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
CENTRAL BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
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?
CENTRAL BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
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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.
CENTRAL BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
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
CENTRAL BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
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?
CENTRAL BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
12
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
CENTRAL BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
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
CENTRAL BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
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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!
CENTRAL BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
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2
S1
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!
CENTRAL BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
12
S1
75
823
0
200
400
600
800
1000
How many new church members ?
And 823 new members!
CENTRAL BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
12
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%.
CENTRAL BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
12
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
CENTRAL BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
12
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
CENTRAL BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
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
CENTRAL BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
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.