September 2010
TRANSFORM
026
Planning Ahead
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Editorial
PLANNING AHEAD The Autumn is a busy time for us all. In many ways it has the feel of being the beginning of the Church year and we are all inundated with activities. But amidst all the feverish activity we need to make sure that there is ample space for planning. The church is not an institution but a dynamic movement and only careful planning will ensure that we do indeed move forward. I love the quotation,”Plan ahead. It wasn’t raining when Noah built the Ark.” Planning may give the appearance of being a complete waste of energy, but it is always a wise investment of time. The reality is that we don’t know what the future holds, and good planning simply enables us to be as prepared as possible for whatever happens. The future is in God’s hands, but he looks to us to use our resources as effectively as possible and without planning that won’t happen. Without planning the danger is that we are working for the short term. The Chinese have a proverb,” When planning for a year, plant corn. When planning for ten years, plant trees. When planning for life, train and educate people.” There is no need more pressing than that we train and educate people as Christian disciples. A carefully planned preaching and teaching programme is essential if we are going to grow effective and strong disciples of Jesus Christ. Haphazard teaching programmes are likely to lead to immature and feeble Christians.
We are still not at all sure how the economy is going to respond to the Government’s severe cut-backs. It may well be that there will be an increase in unemployment, and that is bound to impact on our churches and our church incomes. As we do our budgeting for 2011 it is vital for us to face the challenges with prayerful plans for the future. Some might object to this by saying that all we need to do is to rely on the power of the Spirit to guide us. But I fervently believe that the Spirit guides us through our careful planning. Planning mixed with a humble openness to the breath of the Spirit, is the perfect way of approaching the future. I pray that you will have a wonderfully busy and blessed Autumn, and that you will make sure that there are at least a few times in your busy programme for calm and prayerful planning.
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Mission Ian Bunce Head of Department
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Introduction Looking forward and seeing opportunities can sometimes be hard. As you read this you will be conscious of harvest around the corner and getting things ready for the new term. I am writing this on one of the long hot days in July, the day before I leave for my summer holiday, but the resources are focused around Christmas. We are always looking forward, and as a people of God we should also be seeking the opportunities given by God to show his love in word and action, living in the crossingplaces in which he has placed us. God bless you in all you attempt for him this autumn; we would love to hear your stories.
Get in the Picture 2010
The Big Welcome: Back to Church Sunday 26 September 2010 Over 400 Baptist churches are planning to take part in The Big Welcome this year, and these churches have already received their packs and other resources to help them to prepare for the day. This year’s service resources have been written by Baptist Union Vice-President, Chris Duffett. We hope and pray that many people will accept the invitation to come to your church, and that they will receive the Big Welcome on this and every day.
Get in the Picture seeks to involve all kinds of people in the Christmas story, encouraging them to participate and experience being part of the nativity in a fun way. Churches set up their own nativity scene in the town and invite individuals and families to dress up and be part of the scene. A photo is then be taken and uploaded to the Get in the Picture website for them to print or email to friends. This website also offers information about the Christmas story, and details of the Christmas services taking place in your area.
After the very successful launch of Get in the Picture in Advent 2009, why not engage your community with the Christmas story in 2010? If you were at the Assembly in Plymouth this year you will have seen the stable scene which staff from Baptist House created for the Didcot Street Fair last Christmas, and will have a good idea of what Get in the Picture is all about.
Start praying and talking to other churches in your area about working together to create a nativity scene for the people from your community. Share the vision of offering people a free gift to remind them of the Christmas story, and get as many people as possible involved. Download a flyer with more information to share with your church from: www.baptist. org.uk/resources/mission_evangelism/ gitp0809.pdf
Last year 44 churches, or church groups, took part in Get in the Picture. Churches Together in Peterborough transformed an empty shop in the town centre for Get in the Picture. The team also offered free refreshments and mince pies, a children’s colouring competition, a prayer tree, a listening ear - and even had a live donkey on opening night! Why not talk to your church members about how you can share the Christmas story in your community this year? Register online at www.getinthepicture.org. uk - cost per church/group of churches in your town is £50 (to include access to the website to upload photographs and details of your Christmas services, and 300 cards to hand out to those who take part). For more information, contact Colin McDermott on cmcdermott@baptist.org.uk or 01235 517711. ‘Get in the Picture is a great way to engage with people during advent, giving opportunities to share our faith in a nonthreatening way. It is easy evangelism, reenacting the greatest story ever told. In short, it is a cracker!’
‘Great idea well presented and great fun to carry out.’
Crowthorne HOPE Interdenominational
‘Great initiative. It was really good fun. Not only did the participants get something out of it, so did the onlookers as it reminded them what Christmas is really about. Well done - any more good ideas?’ Churches Together in Rothwell and
District
‘Thank you for this new tool for us to use to bring the Christmas story to life.’
Braintree Baptist Church
Create a Radio Ad: A competition for churches to create a radio advert for Christmas
Ian Bunce, Head of the Mission Department, BUGB Comments from churches which took part last year: ‘We used the ‘Get in the Picture’ theme throughout all our Christmas activities and this worked really well - especially for our community carol service.’
Eastleigh Baptist Church
‘Excellent! Contacted hundreds of people, brought church onto the High Street and took 100+ photos.’
Whitchurch Baptist Church
The challenge:
Create an effective and fun advert that communicates something about the Christmas message and church.
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Mission Open to:
Any person or group from any Baptist church in membership with one of the Unions. Prize:
A trophy awarded to the best entry from each of the three Unions (BUBG, BU Scotland, BU Wales) and a first prize trophy for the overall winner. The top three will be used on the Get in the Picture website this Christmas. (see www.getinthepicture.org.uk) Ideas:
Go to the church ads website: www. churchads.net/past/2009/radio.html for adverts that were created last year. The rules are simple:
1.The entry must be original and material and music should be copyright free or permission given to use. 2.The advert must be no more than 45 seconds.
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3.Entries must be received by 25 October. Entries received after this date will not be considered. 4.Entries must be submitted in MP3 format. It can either be emailed or sent in by disc. 5.Entries must give the names of those taking part on the advert or in the creation of it. It is also essential that the name and location of the church is included with the entry. 6.Entries will be accepted in either English or Welsh language. 7.Entry will assume permission to use the advert on the Get in the Picture website and in other communication from the three Unions. Send your entry to: Email: mission@baptist.org.uk Post: Radio Ad competition, BUGB
Mission Department, Baptist House, 129 Broadway, Didcot, Oxon, OX11 8RT
Ministry Paul Goodliff Head of Department
Introduction For at least the past fifteen years Baptists in BUGB have been re-imagining themselves in mission-mode. It drove the re-structuring of our Association life, and this participation in the mission of God should be reflected in the ministry offered to the churches and the world. Missional Ministry I am often asked what the Baptist Union is doing to prepare and encourage ministers for mission, assuming this is somehow a new dimension of ministry. Of course, the truth is that training for ministry in every one of our colleges will have a missional element: ‘every minister a missional minister’ should be the logical outcome of the Baptist Union’s strategic goal: ‘ Encouraging Missionary Disciples.’ There is always more that could be done, and amidst the competing calls for more training in rural ministry, or urban ministry, or transitional ministry during college courses, choices have to be made. Increasingly, those choices embody the equipping of all ministers to be missionary ministers. For instance, Bristol Baptist College has recently started a new way of training for bivocational missional ministry, South Wales Baptist College will play its part in the reenvisioning of Baptist life in Wales as a missionary endeavour and Spurgeon’s College introduces church planting and evangelism to every ministerial student, not just those on an evangelism track. The annual ministerial refresher conference always has workshops that seek to equip ministers for mission, while the Sector Ministry Committee has stated its intention to configure chaplaincy as both pastoral and missional in character. Postgraduate courses in
missional leadership, with fees supported by the Further Studies Fund, have proved popular amongst ministers wanting to grow in their abilities in mission, and Urban Expression continues to offer opportunities in church planting in tough places. Mission does not stop at the UK borders either. There are often opportunities for ministry to be exercised with BMSWorldmission beyond these shores, and this is also part of the vision for missional ministry. At the 2010 Newly Accredited Ministers’ Conference we again heard exciting stories of younger ministers engaging in mission to their communities, as we do every year. My hope is that every minister, especially those whose ministry has been, and perhaps remains, primarily pastoral in focus will seek to exercise that ministry with a missional edge, an evangelistic dimension and an imagination that sees the church, as Dietrich Bonhoeffer put it, as ‘The Church for Others.’ All of this is encouraging, as the best hope for transforming our Baptist Union into a missionary movement lies with missional ministers serving communities of missionary disciples with a passion to see our world reached with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Terms of Appointment Ministers as they settle in a Baptist pastorate are appointed to that office by agreed Terms of Appointment. This is the appropriate way to agree terms and conditions for office holders, rather than a contract of employment. Latest revisions to the Standard Terms of Appointment include the changes to
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Ministry the arrangements for a minister who is off work due to ill health, and guidelines for maternity, paternity, adoption and other parental leave arrangements. Absence from work due to sickness is no longer validated by a ‘sick note’. Doctors now issue a Statement of Fitness for Work (or ‘fit note’) to indicate whether an ‘employee’ (in this case an office holder) is fit for work. The guidelines for maternity leave, etc, now reflect the statutory benefits, and should be applied to all who are eligible. These new guidelines supersede previous guidance. Full current Recommended Terms of Appointment can be found at www. baptist.org.uk/baptist_life/baptist_family/ national/ministry-downloads.html Understanding Ministry Today. Over 300 ministers took part in a research project in the summer of 2007, completing a questionnaire about their understanding of ministry. It is not possible to send the full results of that survey to all those involved, but the fruit of that research is now published as a monograph in the new Centre for Baptist History and Heritage Studies published by Regent’s Park College: Paul W. Goodliff, Ministry, Sacrament and Representation (Oxford, Regent’s Park College, 2010). Those interested can purchase the book at Regent’s Park Publications and follow the links. http://www.four51.com/UI/Customer.aspx?p =ProductView&VariantID=JhJfFTO74TMsQ5a zhCixm-sG-siwpGCE54Pq8vnJtkfbDAWKYqpZLHXw-e-e&ProductInteropID=&C atInteropID=&CEI=f93c193f-5b634f05-b560-4ab0c079ac6b&CatID=mrMpparBUSehzvZ7Qig5WZpavUOxse7qGgTl3Van5nSfe-p2CJTxtmw-e-e 8
Churches’ Ministerial Counselling Service The CMCS has been around for fourteen years, offering counselling for ministers and their households. But the question might be asked, why would they seek counselling? Well, it might be because they need to reflect on how a difficult pastoral problem has made them feel. It might be because they’re going through a tough time in an important relationship, and need help to understand complicated issues. It could be following a bereavement – just because they live in a manse doesn’t mean they don’t have normal emotions! Or it could be one of dozens of other reasons. And when any such need arises, this Service is there, confidential, anonymous (the BU will never know who uses it) and affordable – you’re asked just to make whatever contribution you can afford to the fees, and the denomination pays the rest. To find a counsellor call a Regional Organiser, as listed on the leaflet recently circulated or on the CMCS website www.cmcs.org.uk.
Faith and Unity Graham Sparkes Head of Department
Introduction How do we know what we believe as Baptists? How do we decide what we stand for and what we are committed to? Those are questions that often concern the Faith and Unity Executive as we seek to give expression to our core convictions, whether it is to help us understand ourselves or to provide ecumenical partners with a sense of our identity. Recently we produced for BUGB Council a short paper that tried to help us find answers, drawing on our covenant understanding of the church. It can be found on our BUGB website in the ‘Resources’ section, and is entitled ‘Knowing What We Believe: theological authority amongst Baptists’. If these are questions that you, too, find significant and challenging then you may find it helpful to read it. Baptist Women’s World Day of Prayer 1 November 2010 This year the theme for our prayers is ‘In Step with the Spirit’. Material is now available to help guide our worship, our praying and our reflecting. It can be found in the resources section of the BUGB website under ‘Prayer and Worship’, or you can request a paper copy by contacting Janet Farnsworth (tel: 01235 517726; email: jfarnsworth@baptist.org.uk). Last year we sent £1061 to BWA as donations from the Baptist Women’s World Day of Prayer. ‘Gathering around the Table: Children and Communion’ How does the church worship together as a whole family when its central meal so often excludes those who are the youngest members of that family? What do we say when a child wants to share the bread and wine? Where is the child in our understanding
of Church and of Communion? A new resource is now available that helps us explore these and other questions. It is a series of six studies, challenging us to consider afresh what it means to gather around the table on Sundays. The cost is £3 a copy, and it can be ordered through the ‘Resources’ section of the BUGB website: www.baptist.org.uk Women in Leadership At our BUGB Council last March, a significant resolution was agreed that affirmed our commitment to the leadership of women amongst us. Through debate and decision, we established that the full acceptance of women as ministers, elders and deacons amongst us is the norm, and that should be recognised as such within our life together. The full text of the resolution agreed is as follows: This Council a) affirms the historic commitment of the Baptist Union of Great Britain to • the full inclusion of women in all areas of leadership in church life, • the ordination and accreditation of women to ministry amongst us; • the service of women in all aspects of missionary work including the work of biblical and theological teaching and church leadership. b) celebrates the increasing number of women who are now exercising leadership within BUGB, both as ministers and in other capacities. c) recognises with concern the continuing struggle for full acceptance faced by many women in all areas of leadership, and in particular the difficulties many face in 9
Faith and Unity having their own call validated and in receiving a call from a church. d) calls upon the Faith and Unity Department and the Ministry Department to work with associations, colleges and churches to identify • steps already being taken to develop ministry in ways that are fully inclusive of women, • opportunities that currently exist for women fully to explore their sense of calling, • obstacles that prevent the acceptance of women for training, ministry, and all forms of wider leadership. e) commits to hearing further from the Faith and Unity Executive at its meeting in March 2011, and so to discern ways of addressing barriers to the full participation of women in all forms of leadership within BUGB.
Over the coming months a number of actions will be taken as we seek to live out this resolution, and we hope that our associations, colleges and churches will be involved in a number of different ways. One of the resources available for Council was a ‘Reader’ that tells the story of the ministry of women within BUGB, reflecting on both the history and the theology. This will shortly be available as a BUGB publication. For more information on this and the actions being taken, contact gsparkes@baptist.org.uk.
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Micah Challenge: What’s Your Promise? 10.10.10 On 10 October this year, Micah Challenge invites millions of people to change the world by bringing their small promises to God, praying that God will use them to create a more just world.
We hope that many Baptists will join in – perhaps as individuals or as churches. We believe that the poor of our world should not be forgotten, and this is our chance to remember them in the day-to-day actions of ordinary life. It is very simple to be involved. Go to www.whatsyourpromise.org.uk and follow the instructions! International Day of Peace 21 September 2010 The United Nations International Day of Peace invites communities, nations and governments across the world to work to end conflict and to promote peace. The World Council of Churches calls on Christians to take part on the nearest Sunday. Baptists have shared in writing prayers, a biblical reflection and a hymn for use on the day. Go to the Joint Public Issue Team website (www.jointpublicissues.org.uk) or email your request for the materials to: rkidd@baptist.org.uk
Around the Union Central Administrative contact: Stephen Copson 01462 442548 stephen.c@centralba.org.uk
The association continues to explore ways of using reserves to support ministry and mission in the local church, and we have launched a training grant to encourage the development of a range of skills that will benefit local witness.
East Midlands Administrative contact: Rebecca Nicholls 0115 981 8645 administrator@embaptists.co.uk
God is at work in lots of places – many of our churches are engaging in creative, risk taking mission ventures reaching the local community! The closure of Woolworths in Ashby led to the arrival of Costa Coffee and the beginning of Café church. Prayer walking in Shepshed and Derby has led to growth in fellowships. Milford, Derbyshire are hosting a mission week and North Evington, Leicester are exploring the possibility of cross-cultural mission. Messy church is increasing the number of children entering our churches and Javea Baptist, our partner church in Spain is also engaging in fresh expressions of church and witnessing growth!
Eastern Administrative contact: Hayley Beckett 01263 826377 secretary@easternbaptist.org.uk
The EBA’s Annual Assembly at Romford in June had the theme “Living the Life”. Aprroxiamately 350 people spent the day in seminars and worship sessions exploring the theme. The Association’s vison to see God’s kingdom come in East Anglia through healthy churches living as wholesome communities engaging in effective mission, sets the pattern for events. So, mission and care for ministers and churches figure heavily there, and the Association Task Groups continue to work to meet the needs of the churches expressed through a recent wide-ranging questionannaire.
Heart of England Administrative contact: Karen Martindale 0121 472 4986 mailbox@baptist-heartofengland.org
This autumn is already looking like a busy and hopefully fruitful period, with new staff working with us, a full mission and training agenda and, of course, a host of gatherings large and small. We pray for continued focus on our strategic aims • Enabling churches in mission • Equipping ministers and church leaders • Encouraging spiritual growth and discipleship And renewed energy to follow up the opportunities that God is laying before us.
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Around the Union London Administrative contact: Paul Martin 020 7692 5592 paul@londonbaptist.org.uk
Over 700 people attended the London Event at which Revd Dr Pat Took gave her final address as team leader. She spoke from Acts 10, encouraging all to exercise love and grace to realise what God will do among us having gathered people from around the globe in our churches. LBA churches and ministers are grateful to God for leading Pat in her wise and tireless service over the past 13 years. Please give thanks to God for Pat’s service and pray for her in her retirement and forthcoming presidency.
North Western Administrative contact: Mandy Howarth 01942 221595 baptnw1@aol.com
Northern Administrative enquiries: 0191 273 7641
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only was the ‘induction’ service held in a local hotel, but Bill was welcomed by the local churches in their services on the same day. A number of our churches welcomed short term mission teams from Texas over the summer as part of our mission partnership with Tryon Evergreen Baptist Association, and in October we welcome a group of visitors from Lithuania.
South Eastern Administrative contact: Steph Tidy 01444 233431 admin@seba-baptist.org.uk
A very successful conference for Ministers and Church Leaders was held at Ashburnham Place when the main speaker was the Revd Dr Ian Stackhouse. After much consultation and review, our new-look website was launched in July and has been well-received. Events are being arranged under the two strands of our mission statement – Enabling Mission and Enabling Christian Living and our networks are being asked to select which of the training opportunities to host in their areas so that the needs of the local churches can be met more specifically.
South Wales Administrative contact: Jackie Godding 02920 491366
admin@thenba.org.uk
office@swbabugb.org.uk
The June Association Assembly led by Nigel Wright focused on healthy churches. The same weekend the mission initiative at Wooler called Glendale Crossing places welcomed Bill Eugster who has been appointed as the Community Pastor. Not
Momentum...Moving Forward in Christ, The Baptist Assembly in Wales, took place in Carmarthen in June with around 140 Baptists from South Wales Baptist Association, Baptist Union of Wales and BMS World Mission joining together to focus on mission. In July
we held 4 roadshows around the region on the subject of safeguarding and there was a good attendance from the churches seeking to apply good practice in this important area of church life.
South West Administrative contact: Chris Wooding 01392 433533 chris@swbaptists.org.uk
Church planting remains high on our agenda and we welcome Joe & Sarah Haward to SWBA to undertake a church planting project in Newton Abbot on behalf of the Association. A number of other planting possibilities remain in the pipeline; we await further developments. We have completed the first stage of our Min Rec Review relating to candidates seeking to enter Baptist colleges, and will be trialling new procedures from the autumn onwards. Work continues on stage two relating to other categories of candidates.
Southern Counties Administrative contact: Keith Hawton 023 8041 0691 k.hawton@scba.org.uk
In April 2010 the new FBC Centre was opened in Gorse Ride. The centre was built by Finchampstead Baptist Church in partnership with Wokingham Borough Council and Finchampstead Parish Council. The centre provides a cafe, sports hall and conference rooms for community use and is used by an increasing number of community groups. On September 25 Dedworth Green Baptist Church will open a new purpose-built church
and community facility, just in time for the arrival of their new pastor Matthew Scott, a Spurgeon’s student,who will be inducted 2 weeks later.
West of England Administrative contact: Geoff Starling 0117 965 8828 office@webassoc.org.uk
We continue to pursue our dream of planting new churches and re-planting the gospel in places where the church would otherwise close. In addition to our new projects in Wichelstowe and Portishead, we have three people beginning a new a six year formation period at Bristol Baptist College, with an emphasis on regenerating urban churches. We pray for more planters, more core groups, and more opportunities.
Yorkshire Administrative contact: Deborah Gamble 0113 278 4954 debbie.gamble@yba.org.uk
We continue to focus our energies on the YBA strategy CONFIDENCE following its launch at our 2010 Assembly. We are holding a prayer event on the weekend of 2nd & 3rd October and will be working with 70 people who will be going out to YBA churches in 2011 bringing the strategy to every church in the Association. More information is available through Revd Jane Day. 13
Staff News National Robin Phillips (Finance and Administration Department) left the Baptist Union in July in order to take up a position as Chief Accountant with a local commercial company. Robin joined the staff on 29 September 2008 as Finance Administrator and will be missed. Regional Heart of England We welcome John Lowe and Gale Richards onto our staff. John is serving as our Researcher for one year, tasked with mapping the area covered by the Association and providing statistical information to help us understand our communities better so that we can be more strategic in our church planting/re-planting and other mission activities. Gale Richards has been appointed to a joint post with HEBA and NBLC. She will be HEBA’s Project Development Worker supporting churches in urban and multi cultural contexts within Birmingham and NBLC’s Regional Tutor (mainly covering Birmingham and Black Country). London
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Revd Pete Leveson who has served as Youth Co-ordinator for 10 years is leaving to take up the pastorate at South Norwood Baptist Church, London. We thank the Lord and Pete for his service to the LBA. The directors of the LBA are continuing to undertake a full staffing review prior to appointing Pat’s successor.
North Western We welcomed Linda Hopkins to her role as Regional Tutor for the Northern Baptist Learning Community who will serve the NBA and also the northern part of the North West Baptist Association, but we said farewell to Chris Bambrough our Association Youth Specialist. South Eastern Our Treasurer, Trevor Allford has indicated that he will not be standing for reelection when his current term of office expires in December. Trevor has been involved in association life for 40 years and will be missed greatly. At the end of the year, we shall also say farewell to Anne Jeater who is retiring from her role as Administrator of the Ministerial Recognition Committee. We welcome Mrs Pam Kerley to the staff as p.a. to our Regional Minister, the Revd Paul Kerley. Southern Counties Due to restructuring taking place in the SCBA Gill Crippen, who has been the longest serving Association staff member, left her post as Regional Minister (Mission Strategist) at the end of April 2010. SCBA Interim Moderator, Rev Daniel Pulham writes: “We appreciate greatly Gill’s hard work and are grateful to God for all the good things that she has brought to Association life and wish her well in all she does in the future.” West of England Geoff Starling, our Adminstrator, will be retiring next Summer, and our staffing group are reviewing Association structures and staffing requirements to best suit our purpose beyond 2011.
Communications Amanda Allchorn Head of Department
Introduction Since Transform in January, life has been especially dominated in the Communications Department by work being undertaken by the 2 largest events in BUGB, The Baptist Assembly and Leading Edge. Leading Edge – the end of an era Many friends in our churches will now be aware that Leading Edge - the Baptist Holiday Bible Week in Warwick - has concluded it’s life in it’s present form. A time of celebration for what has been, was mingled with a sense of sadness that this is end of an era. Leading Edge has blessed many over the years, but sadly with a saturated summer festival market, a few bad summers and the recession, numbers have been declining. As registrations are the main source of income, this has meant that Leading Edge and BUGB Trustees have had to prayerfully make the difficult decision to call time on the festival as we know it. Leading Edge directors will be meeting in September to discern God’s will for the future. Please visit www.baptist.org.uk/leadingedge for stories and memories from many of those who have attended over the years. BUGB Website Development
The new BUGB website is now well under construction in the Communications Department here at Didcot and the hope
is that we can launch it at BUGB Council in Swanwick in November. Our vision is to breath a real sense of Christ’s community and the importance of belonging together. It will look and feel quite different from the current site. Each key area of our life together will have its own ‘mini Home Page’ after people have clicked on the relevant tab on the main Home Page. These ‘mini Home Pages’ will in turn be easy to navigate and have a lot more information about the important resources, news, details of events, people behind the scenes and other things the local church needs. Our Associations, Baptist Colleges and other organisations we work closely with will also be much better represented with links across to their own websites. So ‘watch this space’! Special communications will come out to churches later in the autumn to announce the launch and then in the January edition of Transform a report about the great features it will include! Please pray for us as we move though the next few months.
Have you heard? Baptist Voice is a monthly audio magazine available on CD or tape cassette for blind and visually impaired people. Each issue contains news and views from the Baptist Times, Baptist Life magazine from BUGB, BMS World Mission engage magazine and other Christian publications. Also included are items for prayer, hymns and occasionally specially recorded messages from members of the Baptist family. Baptist Voice is produced by the Baptist Men’s Movement and is available free of charge to anyone with impaired vision. If you know of someone who would like to receive Baptist Voice, please phone 01235 530080 or visit www.baptistmen.org.uk and follow the BMM Missions Link. Gilbert Payne and Geoff Pratt Baptist Voice Coordinators
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Publications Regent’s Study Guides Autumn Sale Now On! This series from Regent’s Park College integrates careful theological thinking with the practice of pastoral care and service in society. The guides relate their subjects to current affairs, the arts, science, and a Christian lifestyle for today. To order these titles, go to www.baptist.org.uk/resources/ sermon_study_resources.asp?section=41 For more information on Regent’s Park College go to www.rpc.ox.ac.uk A Cry In The Darkness This book explores the dying cry of Jesus as recorded in Mark’s Gospel “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” It leads to conclusions about the vulnerability and justice of God, which begin to meet the challenge of doing theology after the Holocaust.
£3.00 Code:RSG110 Faith In The Centre This volume explores the many ways in which Christian faith and human culture have been related to each other in the past, and how they interact with each other in the present. How can we tell the Christian story in a postmodern culture? By Paul Fiddes.
£3.00 Code:RSG109 Flickering Images Theology and film in dialogue. Edited by Anthony Clarke and Paul Fiddes.
£3.00 Code:RSG114 16
God And The Art Of Seeing We ‘look and see’ long before we ‘speak and hear with understanding’. The book’s authors suggest that same seeing-skills used on a tour of a gallery are those needed for the ‘spiritual’ journey, as we seek to discover God’s elusive presence in the world.
£3.00 Code:RSG111 Outside In In this book John Weaver argues for a radical reversal in thinking about the church and the world.
£3.00 Code:RSG115
Praying As Believing What are Christian thinkers today saying about God? Timothy Bradshaw brings recent developments in Christian theology up against the test of prayer, especially the Lord’s Prayer. He also shows how the best talk about God (theology) helps us to talk to God in prayer.
£3.00 Code:RSG106 Radical Stories Of Jesus Michael Ball offers a helpful review of recent scholarship on the parables, setting them against their Old Testament background, and exploring their place in the ministry of Jesus and in the gospel narratives.
£3.00 Code:RSG108
Reflections on the Water This is an unusual book about baptism. The contributors show how the act of believers’ baptism can help us understand the activity of God in the natural world, human society, political life and the Christian community.
£3.00 Code:RSG104 The Gospel According to John Larry Kreitzer explores the distinctive character of the fourth gospel, as a ‘spiritual gospel’ grounded in history. He examines the major themes of the gospel in a way that will ‘allow them to come alive as a focus for a Bible study, meditation or sermon’.
£3.00 Code:RSG101 The Last Seven Days An Old Testament and a New Testament scholar examine the way that the four gospel-writers recount the events of the last week in the life of Jesus, by G Henton Davies and John E Morgan Wynne.
£3.00 Code:RSG107 Theology from Three Worlds In conversation with the Bible, this book aims to make clear the links between liberation and evangelism, by Michael Bochenski.
HERE TO RESOURCE YOU! Planning a baptism? Welcoming new members? Wanting to hold a bookshop at your local Assembly? Whatever the event or occasion, our aim is to provide you with the resources you need. So, with the growing demand for books ordered through BUGB Publications, it’s great to know that we are able to supply so many churches and ministries with the relevant titles they find useful. Due to the increasing number of titles in our store, their popularity and the interest they generate, we are experiencing an everincreasing volume of orders. As a result, to ensure you receive your books in good time, we’d like to advise that there is a minimum 10-day turnaround for processing your orders. This enables our Publications Assistant, who’s employed on a part-time basis, to fulfil the volume of orders currently coming through our Publications service. We are currently reviewing our online Publications capability and hope to bring you more news in the New Year about developments towards a new online ordering system. In the meantime, you can order online - go to www.baptist.org.uk and click on Resources. Or you can call Publications between 09:00 and 13:00, Monday to Friday, to place your order. Thank you for continuing to place your orders with us here at BUGB Publications.
£3.00 Code:RSG105
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Home Mission Budgets, Budgets, Budgets! It is ‘that time of year again’ when you will find yourself in Deacons’ Meetings and Church Meetings to start to considering your Budgets for the following year! Part of your discussions will focus on how much you feel as a fellowship you can give to the BUGB Home Mission Appeal. I know from personal experience - in both of these types of meetings - that it can feel a rather ‘dry exercise’ talking about ‘a figure’ rather than in fact ‘what’ your kind giving does for mission and ministry in other parts/ churches of the Baptist family...or even just up the road from you. Maybe I could make a creative suggestion to bring to life what your giving really means, and how much it blesses others? Why not show one of our short Home Mission films/ Making Peace extras from either the 2010 BUGB DVD ‘Making Peace’ or from our BUGB website www.baptist.org.uk/ news_media/video_lib.html. Alternatively ask your Regional Association Team if they have a situation near you that benefits from a Home Mission Grant you could use as an illustration? Did you know that a BUGB Mission Projects Grant for £3k could fund a ‘Drug Proof your kids’ course or Drop In Project – how amazing would that be? And your church would have been part of the story enabling it to happen.
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Do remember that if all BUGB churches gave at least 5% of their General Fund income to Home Mission, so much more could be done in Christ’s name here in the UK - how exciting would that be!
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BUGB Website and Home Mission As you will have seen from the Communications page, we hoping the new BUGB website will go live in November 2010. Home Mission will be a key area of the site and loads more information, resources, ideas to raise the profile of Home Mission and stories will be featured. Please do look out for news of the launch! Baptist Basics – Stewardship Did you know that within the popular series ‘Baptist Basics’ there is a leaflet called ‘Stewardship’? It is a terrific little resource that really gets behind the whole essence of giving. You could use it in church or House Groups as it offers various illustrations of Stewardship and a number of Bible verses you could use to study and pray with. Why not order some – or the whole series at www.baptist.org.uk/ resources/baptist_basics.asp?section=105
Finance Philip Putman Head of Department
Introduction We have seen an encouraging response to this year’s Home Mission Appeal and are pleased to see that churches are responding to the call to give ‘at least 5% of General Fund income to Home Mission’. We thank you all for your generosity – please continue! The Finance Office staff are available to assist churches with a range of queries from gift aid to pensions and from loans to tax queries. The Union’s Honorary Taxation Advisor, Philip Cooke, provides information on taxation topics in each issue of Transform. This issue sees a selection of recent Q & A’s which you may find interesting. 2010 Stipend The Trustees have fixed the Home Mission Stipend for 2010 at £19,350. The value of a Manse for Pension Fund purposes is £5,825 per annum as from 1 January 2010. 2011 Stipend The Trustees have fixed the Home Mission Stipend for 2011 at £19,650, an increase of 1.55% on the 2010 Stipend. The Trustees took into account various factors including the current inflation factors such as RPI and CPI, together with average wage settlements in the UK and of course the economic climate. Treasurers should also note that the value of a Manse for Pension Fund purposes is £5,915 per annum as from 1 January 2011. This increases the amounts that churches and ministers pay as pension
scheme contributions, and significantly increases the benefits which will be received in due course from the fund. Deposit rates The Baptist Union Corporation currently (from 1 November 2009) pays interest at 0.80% on money deposited by churches in the Baptist Union Loan Fund. The current rate is advertised each week in the Baptist Times. The deposits assist the provision of loans to churches, and are welcomed by the Corporation. Loan rates The Baptist Union Corporation is willing to lend at 3.50% (from 1 November 2009) to churches buying, extending or renovating buildings or manses, subject to suitable repayment arrangements being in place. This rate is also subject to change in line with national interest rates. The current rate is advertised each week in the Baptist Times. Mileage rates The recommended mileage rates continue at 40p per mile for the first 10,000 miles within each tax year, and 25p for each mile thereafter.
Compiled by Philip Cooke FCA., Honorary Taxation Adviser to the Baptist Union
Online filing of Ministers’ tax returns: In the last issue of Transform I mentioned that I was enquiring into the commercial software options available to ministers for 19
Finance online filing of their tax returns following the decision of HMRC not to make available the Minister of Religion pages as part of their free software package. I am pleased to say that arrangements have now been made with Keytime, a leading taxation software producer who are prepared to make their personal tax package, including the MoR pages, available to ministers (of all denominations) at an attractive price of £4 pa plus VAT. An announcement about this appears on the What’s New page of the BU website together with details of the link www.keytime.co.uk/ministers - which takes you direct to the special entry page for ministers. I have tried out the software and am satisfied that it is straight-forward to use. With Keytime’s online support and the assistance of my notes on the completion of the Self Assessment tax return (document F13 on the BU website) the annual tax return chore should become much easier. This is a quite a bargain, the agreed charge being less than a quarter of the usual price, and I would encourage ministers to give it a try. More Questions & Answers from my mailbox. Form P11D and the manse: Q: Do I have to show on form P11D the benefit arising to our minister from the provision of a manse, along with related items like council tax and water charges? A: The answer is ‘No’! Manse accommodation provided by a church for a minister does not give rise to a taxable benefit, neither does the payment by the church of related expenses such as council tax, water charges, buildings insurance and exterior maintenance and decoration. This is so whether the property in question is church-owned or is leased by the church and, if it is leased, details of the rent paid 20 do not have to appear on the P11D either.
Of course, if the property is leased by a minister and spouse it will be necessary for them to include the rent (along with any deductible expenses) on the UK property pages of their personal returns but this is because they are in receipt of taxable investment income rather than a benefit. Relocation expenses: Q: Our minister, who lives in his own property, will shortly be leaving us and we would like to assist him and the church to which he is moving by contributing towards the costs of removal. Can any such contribution be treated as falling within the exemption for relocation expenses provided the total expenses are within the £8,000 limit? A: I am afraid not! The exemption applies only to qualifying relocation expenses borne by the new employer. The church could, of course, be generous in terms of any ex gratia gift which it proposes to make to the departing minister in token of the esteem in which he/she has been held over the years. Alternatively the church could consider making a gift to the receiving church to enable it to meet some of the relocation expenses, though it would also need to consider whether any such gift fell within its charitable objectives. Minister’s hospitality expenses: Q: We pay our minister £250 a year towards the cost of entertaining visitors at the manse. Are we correct in thinking that this is not chargeable to tax? A: If what you pay is a ‘round-sum’ allowance, regardless of what expenses have been incurred, then I am afraid that like any other ‘round-sum’ allowance this will be taxable. You should instead be reimbursing expenses actually incurred, duly supported by a receipt or note giving details of the nature of such hospitality. Provided
actual expenses are reimbursed, rather than a ‘round-sum’ allowance, it is possible for such expenses to be included in a P11D dispensation which would mean that details will not have to be shown either on the P11D form or in the minister’s tax return. Gift aid relief on loan: Q: We have asked our members for special gifts to meet some expensive renovations at our church. One of the members has said that he would like to make an interest-free long-term loan and I would like to know whether we can claim gift aid relief on this. A: I am afraid not. Relief can only be claimed on unfettered gifts. If, in due course, this member feels that he is able to release the church from repayment of the loan then, in order to make it possible for gift aid relief to be claimed at that point, the loan should be repaid by the church and the member be invited to make a completely new gift, ie with a new cheque. Rental of house property leased to church by Minister: Q: Our minister and his wife are leasing their own home to the church so that it can then provide manse accommodation for the better performance of the minister’s duties but the church is unable to afford a full market rental. Does this give rise to a problem? A: The purpose of fixing the rental reasonably close to a market level is to demonstrate the commerciality of the lease as well as being fair to the minister. However, it is acknowledged that a church may not always be able to afford a full market rental and in such circumstances it is for the church and minister to negotiate a feasible level of rent, which might involve some rebalancing of the constituent items of the remuneration package. It is sometimes thought that the manse annual
value under the Ministers’ Pension Fund provisions is meant to set the level for this kind of rental but this is not the case. The manse annual value is determined annually for the purpose of assessing pensionable income and benefits under the provisions of the pension scheme, though in all fairness to a minister one would hope that a rental did not fall below that figure. VAT on church light and heat bills: Q: I’ve just noticed that VAT is being charged at the standard rate of 17.5% on our church light and heat bills. Does this mean that there has been a change in the rules relating to churches? A: No - there has been no change and the domestic rate of 5% still applies to churches and other charities provided any non-qualifying (ie non-charitable) use of light and heat does not exceed 40% of the whole. It is more than likely that the 17.5% rate of VAT has arisen following a change of supplier and you should therefore get in touch with the supplier and advise them that you qualify for the lower domestic rate. You may be asked to provide a declaration to this effect. Interest-free car loan: Q: We have loaned our minister £7,500 so that he can purchase a car. Does this give rise to any charge to tax? A: Where a loan (or the aggregate of two or more loans) exceeds £5,000 and carries interest at less than the ‘official rate’ there will a taxable benefit (as well as a charge to Class 1A NICs) calculated by reference to the difference between the ‘official rate’ and the rate, if any, actually charged. The benefit needs to be reported at section H of the form P11D. The ‘official rate’ was 4.75% pa during the tax year 2009-10 but has been reduced to 4.0% pa as from 6th April 2010. Note that the benefit is 21
Finance calculated on the whole amount of the outstanding loan or loans and not just the excess over £5,000, though aggregate loans of less than £5,000 will be exempt. Child tax credits: Q: In stating my income on the child tax credit claim form can I deduct the contributions which I pay to the Ministers’ Pension Scheme? A: Your pension contributions should already have been deducted from gross stipend in arriving at taxable pay for PAYE purposes so the figure of pay shown on your form P60 will therefore be net of pension contributions. This is the figure you will use in the claim form. By the way, don’t forget that for the purposes of tax credits you can also deduct from total income the ‘grossed-up’ total of all charitable donations qualifying for Gift Aid relief (ie the total amount paid x 100/80). Manse lighting & heating costs etc where minister is paid at less than £8,500 pa: The recent enactment of a previous extrastatutory concession (A61) prompts me to point out that in the rare situation where a minister is in receipt of total emoluments (stipend plus expenses and benefits) at a rate less than £8,500 pa, any payment or reimbursement of manse lighting and heating or other service costs will not give rise to any tax liability. The most likely circumstances where this might be relevant is where a minister is appointed on a non-stipendiary or nominal stipend basis. These notes are issued for general guidance only. The author or publisher cannot accept responsibility for loss occasioned to any person acting or 22
refraining from action as a result of material contained herein. If you are in any doubt about the correct treatment of any matter you should seek further professional advice. I am prepared to respond to questions of a general nature and my email address is: philipjcooke@aol.com. In order to avoid any such emails being treated as ‘spam’ please state under ‘Subject’ the name of your church plus the words ‘Taxation enquiry’.
Baptist Ministers Pension Fund The Pension Review Group of the Union is continuing its deliberations about the future of the Baptist Union’s two pension schemes, following the consultation with members and churches from November 2009 to January 2010. A summary of the results of that consultation is still on the Union website together with responses to a number of the Frequently Asked Questions arising from the Consultation. The Union remains in negotiation with the Department of Work and Pensions, the Pensions Regulator and the Charity Commission about the most appropriate ways to deal with the deficit in the schemes and in particular the debts arising on churches which have had a cessation event where their Minister who was a member of the Fund has left post as the sole member of a participating employer in the Fund. The Union is well aware of the potential difficulties of this matter, and is urgently seeking a resolution that makes the best of a difficult position.
Subject to further delays which could still be caused by these negotiations, the Review Group is planning to agree on the most appropriate form for the two Funds to continue into the future during the autumn of 2010, with a view to discussions at Baptist Union Council in November 2010 to see if the proposals receive general support. If they do, then the Union plans a further statutory consultation with members on the proposals between November 2010 and January 2011, which will again be widened to churches and other employers so that the widest possible range of views can be shared. Churches should therefore take this as notice of a further consultation on these important matters, which they will need to programme into their pattern of meetings during that period. Following this Consultation, it should be possible for the Baptist Union Council to make the necessary changes to the rules of the Ministers’ Fund in March 2011, with a view to the revised scheme commencing in January 2012.
Pension Roadshows 22 November 29 November 30 November 10 December
Bristol area – venue tbc Sutton Coldfield Baptist Church Bloomsbury Baptist Church, London Blackley Baptist Church, Nr Huddersfield
All starting at 13:30 and finishing by 16:00. There will be a presentation by members of the Pension Review Group for church treasurers, ministers and other representatives from Baptist churches. Find out more about the review and have your questions answered by the team. If you wish to attend, please register your interest with Helen Pratt on 01235 517735 or hpratt@baptist.org.uk. There is no charge to attend the roadshow.
To try to assist the Consultation process, the Union is arranging four meetings about the Pension Fund which will be open to Baptist Ministers and Deacons.
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Legal and Property Issues Linda Holder Manager of the Baptist Union Corporation Introduction We are often delighted by innovative schemes involving buildings and await the completion of several projects where churches – even churches with listed buildings – are making imaginative alterations to enhance the life of their church. We have provided loans, helped with listed building consents, grant funding agreements, arrangements with local authorities to create libraries, children’s centres and sports facilities. We see the expansion and improvement of spaces used for worship and other events. We love helping churches to be good stewards of premises acquired by past generations – and taking up opportunities to use these buildings creatively for mission today. If you have doubts about the importance of beautiful spaces have a look at the story of Bezalel and Oholiab, Exodus 35.30 onwards, chosen and filled with the Spirit of God for creative and artistic work on the Tabernacle – buildings are still vitally important. C31 Creating a New Church or Organisation This new leaflet will be useful for churches that want to establish a new church or organisation. It has information about the issues that need to be considered, the types of legal structure available and the need for a suitable governing document. This is available on the website www.baptist.org.uk/resources/resource_ downloads/603.pdf
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Discrimination in Employment on the Grounds of Religion Churches are reminded that each time they wish to specify a requirement that a new employee must have a Christian
faith they need to be able to justify this in legal terms in order to benefit from the legal exemptions that apply. Otherwise they may be vulnerable to a claim of religious discrimination. To assist with this churches are advised to obtain the workbook ‘Christian Ethos Audit’ published jointly by Faithworks and BUGB and available from BU Publications. Building work, Property Trustees and Baptist churches The legal title to many church buildings and manses is in the name of one of the Baptist Trust Companies – for example the Baptist Union Corporation. When building work is planned, for which planning permission or building regulation approval will be needed churches are invited to submit details of the proposals for review. The specific details required are set out in the guidelines leaflet B.4 Redeveloping Church Premises www.baptist.org.uk/ resources/resource_downloads/167.pdf If the building is listed then special care is needed, and permission must be obtained before any work is done. See leaflet LB1 Introducing the Listed Buildings Advisory Committee. www.baptist.org.uk/ resources/resource_downloads/176.pdf Burial Grounds Churches with burial grounds will be interested in guidance on Managing the Safety of Burial Ground Memorials which is available from the Ministry of Justice here: www.justice.gov.uk/guidance/docs/ safety-burial-grounds.pdf. Churches with a listed building should note that any alteration to their burial
ground must be authorised by the BUGB Listed Buildings Advisory Committee. English Heritage Places of Worship at Risk Most churches will have received a copy of the booklet Caring for Places of Worship. Recent research by English Heritage has confirmed that 89% of churches surveyed were in good or fair condition and the value of regular maintenance by a local congregation. If you did not receive the booklet and DVD from Baptist Insurance or English Heritage this can be obtained from www.english-heritage.org.uk/powar or call English Heritage on 0870 333 1181. For more information about the survey results please refer to the English Heritage website: www.english-heritage.org.uk/ publications/caring-for-places-of-worshipreport/. Guidance for Local Authorities on Working with Faith Groups Churches may be interested in the publication ‘Ensuring a Level Playing Field: funding faith-based organisations to provide publicly funded services’ which was issued by the Labour government in March 2010. It can be found here: www.communities.gov.uk/documents/ communities/pdf/15073411.pdf. This paper addresses some common myths about local government departments working with church organisations to deliver services.
Listed Building Advisory Committee – Dates of future meetings 27 September and 6 December 2010. 7 March, 13 June, 19 September, 5 December 2011. Churches that need to request a Certificate of Authorisation for changes to their building will need to send their paperwork as early as possible, but not later than 8 weeks before the meeting. There is no guarantee that a decision can be achieved at the first meeting, but we hope that publicising the dates will help your planning. Making the most of church assets and opportunities. Churches are sometimes approached by developers seeking to buy their property or inviting them to participate in a regeneration project. These are crucial moments for local churches and the Corporation team can help. It can be a long process, but Churches can be pleasantly surprised when firm but fair negotiations dramatically improve the terms originally offered. Financial settlements under compulsory purchase orders, the sums paid for access across church land, and the increased price of land required for a regeneration project are examples of unexpected financial benefits for churches.
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The Baptist Union Corporation Formed in 1890 and still serving the Baptist Family as Property Trustees, helping and supporting churches with Legal, Property, Financial and Charity questions
26 Charity Number: 249635
Company Number: 32743
Safeguarding Alan Elson Safeguarding Administrator
The Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA), Vetting and Barring (VBS) and the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB). The government has, as many will know, called in the registration aspect of the safeguarding arrangements proposed by the previous government. The new regulations and procedures were due to begin on July 26 but a few weeks before launch date the government announced that this aspect of the scheme would be reviewed to scale down to ‘commonsense levels’ the effect of this project. We have no information about what this actually means nor about the implications for local churches and voluntary organisations. The government has not, at the time of writing, given any indication of when the review will be completed. The only part of the VBS programme that remains in force, as far as churches are concerned, is the duty to refer people to the ISA after discipline for behaviour that has placed vulnerable people at a serious risk of harm, or where workers have been charged for a relevant offence. This duty came into force in October 2009 and still stands alongside the merging of various barred lists formerly held by government departments. If churches think they need to refer someone, please consult the Regional Minister for advice in the first instance.
completing these, do not fill in sections connected to registration. Full guidance notes are on the BUGB website in the resources section. These notes are updated as new instructions come from the government. Safe To Grow The latest version of Safe To Grow was about to go to the printer when the government announced the review of registration. Consequently it has been decided to hold publication until the outcome of the review is known; we can then rewrite the relevant sections and provide comprehensive guidance for churches. As developments occur with this project, information will be shared with churches through the usual channels. The Methodist Church and the Church of England have announced the appointment of Elizabeth Hall to be the new head of safeguarding. Elizabeth has taken over from Pearl Luxon who is establishing her own training and consultancy service for use by churches and other organisations. If you wish to contact Pearl, her website is www.pearlluxon.org.uk.
As soon as new information becomes available we will announce it in Transform and through WebWatch. The new CRB forms are now available and can be ordered in the usual way through our Publications and Communications team. When
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Events National
Mission
Love Your Local School Day 25 September: Houghton Regis, Dunstable 20 November: Chester A day to help churches maximise their links with their local school and give a positive Christian message. Speakers from some of the following organisations: Breathe, Go Ministries, RE-Inspired, Schoolswork.co.uk, Scripture Union, Spinnaker Trust, Youth for Christ. Crossingplaces Day 2 October: Wellington, Somerset 27 November: Southampton Organised in partnership with the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity (LICC), these days will inspire your church group to make a difference for God in their local communities and workplaces. Town Centre Network Day Tuesday 12 October: Oxford A day for leaders of town centre churches being led by Chris Duffett (Baptist Union Vice-President) on the theme ‘Life in the heart of the community’. Rural Network Day 11 November: Hereford A day for leaders of rural churches, being organised jointly with the Baptist Union of Wales, with speaker Marc Owen (Director of Mission, BU of Wales) For more information about any of the events being run by the Mission Department, and to book, see www.baptist.org.uk/training_events/ other.html or contact the Mission Department on mission@baptist.org.uk or 01235 517711.
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Faith and Unity
Edinburgh 1910 – 2010: ‘Towards unity in mission’ 11-12 October 2010 The Hayes, Swanwick. This Conference marks the centenary of the Edinburgh Missionary Conference, often understood as the beginning of the modern Ecumenical Movement. Speakers include the Revd Dr Stephen Finamore from Bristol Baptist College, Dr Kirsteen Kim, Fr James Hanvey SJ and the Revd Dr Jeremy Morris. For more information and to book a place contact Churches Together in England: carole.golden@cte.org.uk Ecumenical Officers from five denominations will continue to meet after the end of the conference, to reflect on the themes in relation to their work. Baptist Ecumenical Officers should have received an e-mail invitation to attend already, and if you believe you should also be invited please contact: htreavis@ baptist.org.uk The Gathering 16 October: Woodgrange Baptist Church, Forest Gate, London. This year’s Gathering takes as its theme ‘Reaching the Margins’, and will explore how to equip black and white Baptists to reach the white working class and other marginalised groups.
Key contributors will guide our thinking, and there will be the chance to worship, discuss and seek practical guidance for building stronger relationships with those on the margins of life. This is a wonderful opportunity to share in a Baptist multicultural event. Do join us! The cost is £15 (including lunch) and more details are available from: jfarnsworth@baptist.org.uk Regional Central September 25: Houghton Regis A training day on “Love your Local School” 11-13 October: High Leigh The association hosts its Ministers’ Conference - “Engaging with Word and World” with David Kerrigan, David Shosanya and Maggi Dawn East Midlands September/October: EMBA Listening focus evenings 11 September: Blaby BC Leics, 11-3pm EMBA Treasurers’ Training Day 29-1 October: Ministers’ Conference at The Hayes, Swanwick. Retreat style conference led by Revd Roy Searle 6–7 November: Revd John Bell will be in the East Midlands! John will be the keynote speaker at our Association Day on the Saturday (Melton Mowbray BC, Leics) and is leading a worship workshop and youth event on the Sunday (Seymour Road BC, Hucknall, Notts). Eastern The next few months see some significant events in the EBA. 25th September: Incarnate Network Church Planting Training Day at Wood Lane Dagenham.
2nd October: an “Away Day” for the EBA Council reviewing its vision. 9th October: Lay Preachers Training Day with David Instone-Brewer. 2nd November: a “Welcome” lunch for ministers and families new to the association. Heart of England Learning at the Centre training programme, facilitated through a learning partnership between HEBA, BMS World Mission, Bristol Baptist College, NBLC and Regent’s Park College. A 3-year programme providing all twelve modules of BUGB-recognised training for accreditation or interest. 9 & 23 October: Understanding the Old Testament, 11 December & 15 January 2011: Pastoral Care 11 September: HEBA AGM and Strategic Forum 6 October: Welcome to New Ministers 15 October: Secretaries and Treasurers event for churches with Ministers in Training 30 October: Youth event (with Saltmine Trust) 6 November: HEBA Leaders’ Day 7 November: Celebration Service in Shrewsbury London 9 September: A Sporting Chance – Using sports as a mission tool 18 September: Lay Leaders’ Training Day at Haven Green Baptist Church 25 September: Church Planting Day in association with Incarnate, Urban Expression and Eastern Baptist Association 2 October: Small Churches’ Day 13 November: “Arise” Children’s Ministry Training 29
Events 24 November: Hosting a Community Festival Northern 4 October: ‘Preach the Word’ Lay Preacher training event 9 October: NBA Autumn Assembly with Andrew Rollinson and Mark Craig 19th November: Evening with Roy Searle for leaders of larger churches. 27th November: NBA Small Churches Day at Beacon Lough Baptist Church in Gateshead. South Eastern 25 – 29 October: MAD (Make A Difference!) week of mission in Kent Thameside led by the Revd Penny Marsh and SEBA Youth Officer, Mave Whitchurch. South Wales September & October: “If God’s central way of reaching the world was to incarnate himself in Jesus then our way of reaching the world should likewise be incarnational” explains Nick Bradshaw, SWBA Team Leader. The aim of our roadshows taking place in September and October is to explore where we are likely to find ourselves in crossing places with those whom the Lord is seeking to reach through us. South West Saturday 20 November: Wonford Chapel Exeter. Stepping into Leadership – a training and reflection session for those new to church leadership.
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Southern Counties After successful leaders’ days this summer (“How can we explain the Gospel in Today’s World” with Michael Ramsden, Zaccahrias Trust; and “Growing Women Leaders” with Kate Coleman of Next Generation) two further training events are planned: 7th October: Leaders’ Day with Rachel Gardiner (Romance Academy) on aspects of relationships and sexuality in today’s society, followed by Richard Hardy (formerly Care for the Family) 18th November: looking at the pastoral responses to the topics raised on 8th October. West of England Tuesday 21st October: Welcome for Ministers new to WEBA at Stapleton Baptist Church ‘Trustees and Risk’ - a series of seminars in association with the Baptist Insurance Company: 9 October: Brunswick Baptist Church 6th November: Counterslip Baptist Church, 13 November: Gorse Hill Baptist Church 19 October: Pastoral Leaders’ Day with Martin Robinson 7-9 February 2011: Ministers’ Conference, Sidholme Yorkshire 21 September: The Blackley Centre Emotional Intelligence - Tools for Effective Ministry 30 October: The Blackley Centre Church Treasurers and Independent Examiners Day with Malcolm Broad 27 November: The Blackley Centre Baptists Exploring Issues of Homosexuality September & November 2010, January, May & July 2011: Blenheim Baptist Church, Leeds Growing Women Leaders – programme continues with Revd Dr Kate Coleman Further information available through the YBA office, 0113 278 4954
Safe as houses in student accommodation The month of September clearly signals the start of another school year and new beginnings for thousands of students and parents across the country. With more than 480,000 students flocking to universities all over UK for the first time this autumn, there is much to think about and organise before the big move away from home. For many this will be the first time they have ever lived away from home, so there are bound to be dozens of questions and many uncertainties weighing on the minds of both students and parents alike. Out of the many decisions that need to be made, finding the right kind of accommodation will certainly top the list for the first-time movers. It is clear that choosing between private rental, house shares and on-campus student housing will depend on the availability of certain types of accommodation in some areas and, in the current economic climate, also on the students’ and parents’ financial means. However, when picking the right place to stay for the duration of your studies, consideration should also be given to the different steps that would need to be taken to ensure your safety and protect your possessions when choosing one or another type of student accommodation. This is mainly due to the fact that student homes tend to be well equipped with the latest technological gadgets, which is also a well-known fact for those with sticky fingers. Student homes are often a target for thieves who prey on student house-shares and oncampus housing with limited or poor security and careless owners. To ensure your belongings stay with you and don’t end up in the wrong hands, there are a few simple steps that all students can take to protect their belongings, regardless of which type of accommodation they live in. Statistics from UCAS website
These steps include installing good quality locks; ensuring doors and windows are locked at all times when away from the property; placing items like laptops, mobile phones, iPods out of site when away from property and security-marking personal belongings. These simple common sense measures should help prevent theft, but can also help identify items if a theft has occurred and items have been recovered. However, there may be times when even the best security measures and precautions fail and the worst still happens. It is, nevertheless, possible to give yourself some peace of mind even for instances like these with the right type and level of insurance cover. The types and levels of cover will vary from insurer to insurer, but a number of specialist insurers do offer cover for student possessions as part of their standard home insurance policy. Checking with your home insurance provider whether such cover is available to you and what the levels of cover are should give parents additional peace of mind and help from insurers in case the worst does happen and any items stolen cannot be recovered. Moving away from home for the first time can seem like a daunting yet exciting step to take all at the same time. It is only natural to have anxieties around finding new friends, coping with new surroundings and doing well in studies, but these anxieties need not be coupled with further anxieties around the security of your new home and the safety of your possessions. With proper planning ahead of the big move and a sensible approach to potential risks, negative issues can be avoided and all that will be left for the students to do is focus on the studies and have the time of their life. Julie Molloy, Baptist Insurance31
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Call us today on 0845 070 2223 and quote BUGB1 or for more details visit www.baptist-insurance.co.uk The Baptist Insurance Company PLC. Registered in England No. 83597. Registered Office: Beaufort House, Brunswick Road, Gloucester GL1 1JZ. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. FSA registration number 202032. A member of the Association of British Insurers and the Financial Ombudsman Service.