Sometimes there is a perception that small churches are failing as they compare themselves to the various mega-churches. However, around 60% of Adventist congregations within the UK have congregations under 100 people. Which would mean they are 'the norm' and are doing exactly what they should be doing.
On 16-18 September, Church Growth and Community Service leaders gathered at Hay's Wood (Kings Lynn) to be inspired by each other and affirm their ministries. Devotion took a creative turn with Pastors Lorraine Fontaine and Rosemary Lethbridge as participants were asked to 'Walk with Jesus', and 'Sit with Jesus' and, in doing so, enter a journey of discovery with God.
The keynote speakers were Tihomir and Kärt Lazić. Tihi focused largely on the meaning of what it means for the church to be 'in community'—an idea that seems so simple it is often overlooked. He spoke about Adventism being at a crossroads with our traditional pathways of church activities which included the 'Individualistic' and 'Collectivistic'. In doing so, he explained their limitations and posited a third option which was the idea of the 'Communal'.
Kärt's focus on inclusive worship painted an inspiring vision of how a church could experience and worship God together. One of her presentations challenged the attendees not to build worshipping spaces just for now but rather for our children and subsequent generations. Failure to actively lay these foundations may lead future generations to question if this space was relevant for them.
Other presenters included Cornerstone Counselling Director, Thembie Mapingire, who spoke on our church's need for safe spaces, Isaac Hammond, who serves with ACTS, a church plant in East London, on how they make money go further, and Leroy King demonstrated how films and books could be used as a creative and engaging approach to address important issues.