Response. With regards to growth in belonging and involvement. Our church has had a Home Group ministry functioning for over twenty years. Although these groups meet primarily for bible study and prayer there is a strong emphasis on the development of genuine loving relationships and pastoral care in every group. We see this ministry as being so important that we have appointed a Pastor to specifically work with our Home Group leaders in developing strong and vibrant groups. The Homegroup Pastor is responsible for preparing studies, the training of existing and new group leaders and the formation of other groups.
Communication. The introduction of Talkfests. Talkfests are informal gatherings of the congregation, we usually hold them once a quarter or when necessary following the morning service and over a cuppa. They give church leadership the opportunity to inform and discuss with the church any current or future matters / issues relating to vision and direction. There is no passing of motions or voting on any issues, if there are matters that require discussion those present will form into groups of six or so and on the appointment of a facilitator from within the group discuss the issue[s] and then report back to the meeting their points. The leadership makes no comment other than the promise to investigate the points made in each group and report back regarding any decision they may make. Should there be a need to vote on some matter a church business meeting will be called. Talkfest keep the doors of communication open, they give people a strong sense that it’s their church and they can make a valuable contribution as they present their thoughts and ideas.
Elders and Pastors hold “Information Nights” where they visit Homegroups to discuss current issues and seek to answer any question folk may have. We see this as an important strategy in developing trust and confidence in the leadership by church members.
Ministry philosophy. We believe in assisting folk to identify their spiritual gift and then releasing them into ministry. We use the Baptist S.H.A.P.E. studies for this purpose. Every ministry apart from Home Groups and Youth consists of a lay leader and a team of dedicated people.
Of great importance is our Pastoral Care ministry. This ministry attends to several key areas within the church. Door greeters, ushers, new attendees follow up and luncheons, hospital visitation, encouragement cards, absentee follow up, family meals, prayer chains etc. There is a small but dedicated team working with our Pastoral Care coordinator, together they involve many church members in all of these areas as needs arise.
A focus beyond ourselves. Twenty years ago the then leadership commissioned a consultant to survey the local community. The aim was to identify what were the real needs of people living in our community. The result was the commencement of Padstow Community Care[ PCC]
PCC commenced operating with a crisis counseling centre, an emergency relief centre, a community bargain shop and a Long Day Care Centre. The ministry grew steadily over the years but more so in recent ones. Since its inception PCC has added many other services to the already existing ones that benefit the marginalised and disadvantaged in our community. We have a counseling centre for those who need physiological, emotional and spiritual counseling. We place particular importance on working with families and children who are in crisis. Through our Emergency Relief office we are able to offer support to those facing critical situations in their lives. We are working with the unemployed, the addicted and people who are generally in some kind of crisis. We operate a workshop that offers piece and process work to people on disability pension and the unemployed.
We currently have around 50 volunteers many from our church some from other fellowships still others who have been those we have helped in the past. The church fully endorses this ministry and firmly believes it to be God’s particular vision for them. As such a good deal of our resources are focused on PCC. Key staff are all members of Padstow Baptist Community Church.
We also have a strong overseas mission emphasis. Some years ago we appointed a Missions Coordinator [volunteer] who in turn gathered a team of like minded missions people and asked them to explore ways of increasing our involvement with Christian ministries in other countries. Along with myself the coordinator encouraged our church members to be involved in short-term mission trips. Some 90 people from our church have gone on such trips to such places as India [9 times], Bolivia x2, China x3 and the Philippinesx3. We have intentionally developed a strong relationship with a ministry in India and visit that ministry bi-yearly. The Senior Pastor has traveled with most of those teams.
We have a vibrant Youth Ministry with a full time Youth Pastor . His primary focus is the development of leadership. His youth team are those he is training and they assist him in his ministry. At least 70% of young people attending our Youth Ministry Programs are from outside of the church. |