Last time I started to report on the recently held Jubilee+ Conference ‘Churches that change Communities’. I gave the whole post to the opening key-note contribution by Martin Charlesworth, a call for the church to recover the influence we once had in shaping communities, particularly touching those in need.
The bulk of this post will be given to the second main contribution, complementary in many ways to Martin’s.
The party is saved by the poor!
Guest speaker Philip North, Bishop of Burnley, took us to the parable of the banquet in Luke’s gospel (Lk 14:15-24). Reminding us that those initially invited gave excuses he showed us that those who are marginalised were the ones who ‘made the party go’.
The majority of U.K. churches are white middle class. The bishop suggested that these are not good for renewal; they need the poor. He stated that all renewals in church history started with the poor.
He is involved in planting churches on urban estates. Here the environment is one in which many people face
- Debt
- Are impacted by Benefits reform.
- Experience hunger – needing food banks and school lunches for their children,
- …and so on
Estate-based churches
Churches in his diocese face significant problems, particularly the raising up of leaders and the need for buildings in which to meet. But he is championing estate ministry, looking to see every estate having a vibrant ministry which is theologically relevant and proclaims the gospel.
Shared learning
There are many in the Newfrontiers family who have a burden for planting churches in poorer areas. We can learn from others about some of the key factors.
Philip North shared some of the things he had learnt on this journey.
- Start with belonging
– Focus on the limitations of human life being short. Church should be foretaste of heaven.
– Allow local indigenous church to emerge.
- Raise up local leaders.
– Don’t import leaders. They don’t understand the culture
– Proclaim the gospel in the language people understand
– Identify existing leaders and potential ones.
– Teach in a non-bookish but in-depth way.
- Stay faithful
– Know what success is
- Integrate love
– Serve
– Meet need
- Charity and Justice
– Beware dependency.
– Beware transfer of power
– Don’t allow reliance on food banks
- Work together.
– Keep a close link with the sending/establishing church.
- Vision
– Keep building vision; do not rely on technique.
– Defend and promote Justice. People are often ripped off.
Bishop North concluded with a declaration that Renewal will start with the estates
Seminars
This conference always has a strong equipping element and this year’s was no exception. Personally I went to two excellent seminars.
Social enterprise that builds the church?
Nick and Tracey Priggis are working in an area of social deprivation. Defining Social Enterprise as ‘Finding solutions for social problems through an enterprise or business approach’ they set out to address a major social problem in their community: The Lack of a sense of achievement.
Through setting up training and work opportunities within the motor industry – teaching people to service cars and also selling parts – they are giving people dignity and hope. Their results are very encouraging and demonstrated the effectiveness of such an approach.
Nick has agreed to write a series for me in the New Year, so more to follow!
Ministry in the power of the HS
Angela Kemm used to lead ministry into the townships in South Africa and saw remarkable healings and salvations through ministering in the power of the Spirit. Ably supported by personal testimony from Paul and Louise Brown about their daily lives, Angela showed how important it is to be listening to the Spirit on all occasions and to operate in the gifts He gives if we are to achieve success in Kingdom advance.
Yes!
Downloads
All the talks from the Conference are available on the Jubilee+ website. I commend them to you.
Main Sessions:
Seminars:
- Addiction – meeting the challenge
- Biblical foundations for a church for the poor
- Building the Kingdom in impossible places
- Mercy for the Poor and the rich
- Housing and homelessness – a Christian response
- Reaching out to older people
- Social enterprise in growing a local church
- The power of the Holy Spirit in personal ministry
- Welcoming Refugees and Asylum Seekers
Next year’s conference
November 16th in Bristol. Put it in your calendar – its in mine!