November 2010

Over twenty years ago, Christ Church Bridlington was scheduled for closure. The appointment of Jonathan Couper as its vicar was pretty much its “last chance saloon” moment. Now it’s the most vibrant church in the town and making a real impact on the community.

So it was a privilege and an eye-opener to go to a conference in October hosted by Christ Church at Bridlington Spa. We were put on to it by musician friends who have led worship at many conferences before, and believed it would be a significant event. Given that we too have been a rapidly growing church it was good to see a church some steps on from us, and see what we could learn.

Three days of inspiring speakers and seminars, of worship led by their own (augmented) worship group and a prayer ministry team several dozen strong produced a strong sense of Christ Church’s priorities. I think they are:

An overriding concern to seek out God’s intentions for their church and for our nation - and act upon them

An ongoing invitation to the hurt, bruised and downtrodden to seek healing for themselves by the Holy Spirit’s power - because they need to be sorted out to do the ministry God’s got for them
They all engage in ministry – it’s not for a handful of specialists
A choice to live in God’s grace not under man’s law
A desire not to keep Jesus for themselves but to bring healing and renewal to their own community

Somebody, somewhere, must attend to the small details, but they don’t get bogged down by them.

All Saints’ Higher Walton

November 2010