From Revivalist Meeting to Relationship Meals & Disney

“In a changing society are you willing to change your approach to mission?”

This was probably the most challenging question put to us during a week of “Puzzling Questions” courtesy of Paul Griffiths of Paul Griffiths Ministries.

Here in Mid Wales the Victorian model of Revivalist Meetings had given way last century to Mission Preaching Services with each of the neighbouring churches having their set week (usually in November during a quieter time in the farming calendar) and woe betide if your events clashed.

In an increasingly unchurched society these meetings have become more exclusive than inclusive and a largely “preaching to the converted” scenario developed. So is it time to change our approach and develop a new understanding of mission? Or simply re-examine a more New Testament model focused on personal relationships and break free from a compartmentalised view.

“You can only be converted during mission week!” may be anecdotal but raises the question of how reliant have we become on that one week in the year when it is our turn to “do mission”?

For a few years now the Baptist Churches of Nantgwyn & Beulah have held a Community Meal in the Village Hall and have regularly served some seventy local folk with a good meal in a relaxed atmosphere followed by an appropriate after dinner speaker. It is an event that attracts a wide range of people from the whole spectrum of spiritual development. From the lady who took all the free literature and with a big grin said in passing – “I’m not afraid to admit I need saving!” to the diehard lifelong Baptists who faithfully attend every meeting of every church in the area to “give their support”.

The hardest group to attract  is probably the growing number of de-churched folk within the population – those with unresolved issues, hurts and bitternesses who shun anything “churchy” no matter how radical and  neutral the premises.

To condense all our “Mission eggs” into one annual basket may be easier to plan but can be counterproductive in a community where people are so busy and have heavily committed schedules. This was certainly the case when we followed up the meal with a Puddings & Puzzling Questions evening in the Community Centre of a neighbouring hamlet. Apart from suspicion of the title and that it had replaced the traditional preaching service, a small number gathered with many others saying that they are unable to be out more than one night in a week. However, those that attended engaged in discussion (and engorged on the array of puddings) in exploring some of life’s deeper issues in a relaxed, informal, anything goes question and answer session. Paul Griffiths is a brave chap setting himself up as a modern day “Aunt Sally” ready for anything to be thrown at him (except the puddings that is!)

A popcorn fuelled fun Family Film Night followed on the Saturday attracting both regular and non-church families to enjoy one of Disney’s latest animations. “But where is the outreach in this?” was not an unexpected remark as we avoided the temptation to have a statutory “God Slot” at the end. This did however raise the searching question - “what value do we place on friendship and fun in our church life?” Ask those who attended who had never darkened the doors of the church before and see how they felt; because new friendships were forged that give us new opportunities to develop in the future.

Not by waiting until next November but by realising that such events need to be spread throughout the year if we are to be a truly missional church.

We are grateful to Paul Griffiths for his inspiration and encouragement and for reminding us of the forgotten principle of developing meaningful relationships where our witness for Christ is initially in the lifestyles of a people who are “the same but different” and have a heart of love for sharing the gospel 52 weeks of the year.

If John could tell his friend Andrew who then told his brother Simon, and Philip tell his friend Nathanael (John 1) so can we tell our friends and neighbours and pray that in time they too will “follow Jesus”.

All this may seem radical when set against the backdrop of church tradition, but hey, let’s enjoy our new found friendships, engage with them and take every opportunity that God gives and who knows, the spiritual climate of our community may actually change for the better.

Rev David Meanwell, Nantgwyn & Beulah Baptist Churches

PS – We began 2009 with a Paul Griffiths “Telling Our Story” weekend to explore how, with the Holy Spirit’s help we can maturely communicate the story of faith that is ours. This, together with our November Mission has galvanised our desire to become more effective in engaging with our community by answering such questions as –  

“How can we as Christians put ourselves into the world of non-Christians?”

“How can we live distinctive lives?”

“How can we live lives that are attractive yet scriptural?”

“How willing are we to give a reason for our behaviour as Christians?”