Brian writes of a church plant called ECHO with most of the church over 70 years old.
And their vision... we believe God wants to see a church made up of many small groups of disciples who are seeking to glorify God by knowing Jesus better, becoming more like him and making him known to the people of Springfields Estate, the rest of East Cadoxton and beyond, in accordance with the Word of God and in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Context of where we are planting and why here?
East Cadoxton
In an area of Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, bounded by the Barry Docks Link Road (A4231), Port Road (A4050), Cardiff Road (A4055) and an imaginary line approximately half a mile to the west of the Link Road, there are about 2,500 dwellings with over 4000 adults and only one place of worship, the historic Parish Church.
Home
Experience in other places has shown that many people who would not think of attending a church are often willing to attend a Christian activity in some other venue: a home or a pub for example. The popularity and effectiveness of the Alpha course has shown that people will respond to a presentation of the Good News of Jesus Christ that is culturally sensitive. What is needed is a corresponding social environment to welcome them into when they have made such a response.
A small group of 10 to 15 people at different stages of Christian experience but all learning together from the Word of God how to be more effective disciples of Christ can provide such an environment.
Outreach
As the group develops two things happen: leaders are found who may not otherwise have been discovered, and the group begins to reach out to other people, not only with the message of the Good News of Jesus Christ, but with the evidence of how that message works in their common experience. When the numbers in the group reach twelve to fifteen regular attendees it multiplies into two and the process starts again in the two new groups.
Story as it has developed
Initiative
In September 2001, several factors came together that convinced the writer that God was about to do something different.
- He had retired from full-time pastoral ministry but was seeking some form of Christian service.
- He had been reading several books on the subject of cell church and had become convinced that this was the way for churches that had been declining or marking time, to move forward in step with the Spirit of God into the twenty-first century.
- Within the previous twelve months he and his wife had come to live on the Springfields Estate, a private development of 50 houses situated in the area of East Cadoxton described above.
- Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, Cadoxton, Barry was in a period of interregnum and the Elder of the church, the Revd Glyn Lewis, brought a Word from the Lord based on Isaiah 43:18, 19: “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!”
- When the church appointed the writer to be Moderator it seemed the ideal opportunity to attempt this ‘new thing’ and the church agreed.
Beginnings
A small group of twelve interested people was brought together. Six of these people are still involved, the others have moved on for various personal reasons.
Initially the group met on Friday evenings. After a time, however, it was found that this was not a very appropriate time, so it was changed to Wednesday morning. Immediately five new people joined and shortly two more, so we have continued to meet at this time.
Model
The model used is Phil Potter’s book, The Challenge of Cell Church, 2001, BRF and CPAS. The group worked through this book in the first few months so that everyone knew what the values of the group were. This model was chosen because it is based on a UK situation, whereas most cell church literature comes from the USA. It is clear and its principles are easily memorable and communicable. The writer believes this book should be in the hands of everyone who contemplates planting a church in the UK. It is now hoped to use this book as the text for training potential leaders in anticipation of multiplying by the end of this year
Vision Statement
We believe God wants to see a church made up of many small groups of disciples who are seeking to glorify God by knowing Jesus better, becoming more like him and making him known to the people of Springfields Estate, the rest of East Cadoxton and beyond, in accordance with the Word of God and in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Values
All involved: every member’s ministry is valued
Becoming more effective disciples of Christ
Creating genuine community
Doing evangelism
Encountering the Risen Christ in meetings and in daily life
Finding and developing new leaders
Giving generously to the work of Christ here and in all the world
Lessons learnt
- It is essential to be convinced and to remain convinced that this is the work God wants us to do. If it is merely someone’s bright idea it will not last.
- Prayer is essential to the task in order to keep in tune with God’s agenda and in order not to be discouraged by setbacks.
- What looks clear and achievable in print doesn’t always work out so easily with people.
- Working with older people is slower than with others. Most of our group are over 70 years of age and have frequent other commitments. This makes it difficult to maintain momentum, but it has revealed the commitment to ECHO of those who are still with us.
Questions
- Has anyone else had experience of cell church in Wales?
- Has anyone else had experience of cell church for seniors?
