Shareit! 44 by Church Army

shareit! The Magazine of Church Army

Winter 2016/2017

Welcome

ear friends, I absolutely love the quote by St Francis of Assisi that states: “All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of one single candle.” When our founder Wilson Carlile established Church Army in 1882, his vision was to reach out to people living in the darkness of poverty, homelessness, addiction and fear. Well over a century later, our prayer continues to be that we can help spread the light of Jesus Christ throughout these islands. In this edition, you can read about the work of our Thanet Centre of Mission, which assists older people to find faith in later life through Prayer Care (pages 12-13). You can also read about three individual journeys of healing and self-discovery in Tales from Thanet (pages 8-11). Please turn to 18 to read all about Sorted, a church ‘for young people run by young people’ in West Yorkshire, which was set up by our Bradford Centre of Mission. Our Research Unit has recently published their magnum opus, a report of their findings into fresh expressions of Church (fxC), which has seen them survey over 1,000 examples of fxC across the country. On pages 24-26, you can read a Q&A with our Director of Research, George Lings, and discover some of the fascinating facts that have emerged from this research. I hope that you will enjoy reading this issue of Shareit!, and as you read it I hope you’ll feel incredibly proud of all the incredible things you’re helping Church Army to achieve. Our work wouldn’t be possible without the support of wonderful people like you – thank you! On behalf of everyone at Church Army, I wish you a blessed and joyful Christmas. Yours in Christ,

Canon Mark Russell Chief Executive and Community Leader www.churcharmy.org/ceo

Patron: HM The Queen Church Army is a mission-focused community of people who are transforming lives and communities through the work of evangelists, staff and supporters. We are committed to sharing the Christian faith through words and action in a variety of contexts across the United Kingdom and Ireland. The paper used is from sustainable forests and can be recycled. Printed by Colourwise who have 14001 accreditation.

Wilson Carlile Centre, 50 Cavendish Street, Sheffield, S3 7RZ Tel: 0300 123 2113 Email: info@churcharmy.org.uk www.churcharmy.org Registered Charity Nos: 226226 & SC040457

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Shareit! is the magazine of Church Army and it is available free upon request. Please let us know if you would prefer not to receive further issues of Shareit! or other communications from Church Army. If you have a story for Shareit!, or suggestions on how we can improve this magazine, then please contact Michelle Pellegrino. Editor: Michelle Pellegrino 0300 123 2113 Sub-editor: Bethan Hill Design & Print: CPO 01903 264556

ISSN 1751-3960

Winter 2016/2017

14 God is with us wherever 22 Survey results we go Readers have their say An encouragement from 24 Fresh expressions of 8 Tales from Thanet Mark Russell Three journeys of healing Church 16 The tragedy of Jo Cox Our Research Unit share and self-discovery Experiences of an their findings 12 Prayer Care evangelist and his Faith in later life 27 The last word community A reflection from Peter 18 All Sorted! Graystone A church for young people run by young people 4 News All our latest stories

Is this the first time youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve read a copy of Shareit!? Would you like to receive your own edition regularly? To sign up and to find out more about our other resources, please visit www.churcharmy.org/res Alternatively email info@churcharmy.org.uk, telephone 0300 123 2113 or write to Church Army, Wilson Carlile Centre, 50 Cavendish Street, Sheffield, S3 7RZ.

Front cover: C hurch Army Evangelist, Stuart Budden, enjoying a dance with Grace, a resident of Tree Tops in Margate, one of the care homes our Thanet Centre of Mission reaches out to through their Prayer Care ministry.

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Contents

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SORTED LEADER LAUNCHES BOOK ON PIONEER MINISTRY The Lead Evangelist for our Bradford Centre of Mission, Andy Milne, has launched a book entitled The DNA of Pioneer Ministry.

commonly encountered when starting a pioneering ministry, as there’s a lot to be learned from other people’s mistakes.”

The book gives plenty of ideas, practical advice and problem-solving tips for anyone wanting to start a fresh expression of Church (fxC), as well as the most effective ways for sustaining a pioneering ministry over the long term. In his book, Andy provides answers to some of the common questions that arise when setting up a pioneering ministry, such as: How do I go about forming partnerships for my fxC? How do I build relationships with the individuals I’m reaching out to? How do I start a worship service for the unchurched?

The book is available from all major Christian bookshops or online at tinyurl.com/jatsdf9

In the book, Andy draws on the stories and experiences in pioneering Sorted, a fresh expression of Church for young people that he set up with his wife Tracy in West Yorkshire. “Apart from my own experiences, I’ve included a variety of examples of fxC for adults and young people across different contexts,” said Andy. “I’ve also highlighted the type of problems, set-backs and failures

Andy Milne with his newly released book which gives ideas, advice and tips for setting up a fresh expression of Church

ALL-FEMALE SKYDIVE CHALLENGE How far would you jump for your favourite charity? Four fearless females took the leap and plummeted 10,000 feet to raise money for Church Army’s work. Julie Thomson from our Scottish Borders Centre of Mission joined forces with the Marylebone Project’s Bex Bellingham, Phillippa Middleton and Valentina Ines La Mela for this all-female skydive challenge. Julie said: “I’m definitely not an adrenaline junkie and I was more terrified than I’ve ever been for the challenge, but the money raised will help more people hear the lifetransforming news of who Jesus is – and that is motivation enough.” We are so proud of these ladies for facing their fears to raise funds for our work. Well done!

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News

CONNECTING WITH THE COMMUNITY “We have a multitude of ideas for events to hold here at the centre, such as a youth drop-in, homework club and a place to hold knit and natter groups or craft classes,” said the centre’s Lead Evangelist, Karen Webb. “But we are here to listen to the local people so that we can find out what they think are the best and most useful activities to hold at the new centre.” Members of local parishes are also being invited to get comfortable on the centre’s cosy sofas and share their North Belfast Centre of Mission evangelists Stephen Whitten and Karen Webb vision for the new space, as standing outside the newly opened Connect Base on Belfast’s historic Shankill Road well as to discuss opportunities for mission. A helping hand with homework, a chat over a cup of tea and a quiet space to pray. “Having a base in the middle of the Church Army’s North Belfast Centre of Mission, in partnership with the Diocese of Connor, has opened a centre called Connect Base on the Shankill Road in Belfast as a way of engaging with the local community.

community that is not a church building gives us the freedom to connect with people who would not normally go into church,” said Karen. “Ultimately, what we are aiming for is for people living in the area to see this not as our space, but as their space.”

NEW WEBSITE EXPLORES ‘WHAT IS CHURCH ARMY’S LEGACY?’ You will find all this and much more on www.churcharmy.org/legacy, our new website celebrating Church Army’s legacy.

From our hop-picking ministry and work with the homeless to seaside missions and moral welfare.

The site is full of information, personal stories and interviews with our evangelists, as well as first-hand accounts from our retired evangelists who served communities during the two world wars. Do you or a family member have a special memory of Church Army? You can share your stories and photos directly on the website address above, by tagging @churcharmy on Twitter and Instagram or by post. We would love to hear from you!

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A PRAYER AT EVERY TUBE STOP a special memory for me,” said Theresa. “I prayed for each community, as well as the churches and people that have been such an important part of my journey.” Her first stop was to her parish church, St James the Less in Pimlico, where the Bishop of London, Richard Chartres, held a special thanksgiving service in her honour. Other stopovers included Paddington station (where she worked as chaplain at St Mary’s Hospital), Edgware Road station (where she used to go house-visiting) and Westminster (where she ministered to homeless women). A tube stop for every year of service – and a prayer for every tube stop. In July, Retired Church Army Evangelist, Theresa Pountney (78) embarked on her Golden Journey on the London Underground to revisit 50 places around London that have a special significance to her 50 years of ministry. “I prayed at each tube stop and again at the specific place in the area that has

Her trip down memory lane concluded in September at Marylebone, where the Marylebone Project staff presented her with a bunch of flowers to thank her for her many years of faithful service to the project’s vulnerable women. Theresa also raised over £4,000 for Church Army’s new Centres of Mission and her parish church through MyDonate, where people could sponsor a station. Thank you, Theresa, you’re an inspiration to us all!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FAITH PICTURES! At the end of November we celebrated the first anniversary of Faith Pictures, our online evangelism course to help Christians of all ages share their faith more naturally through storytelling and the use of images. More than 1,000 individuals have registered for this downloadable, free-of-charge resource to date, from countries as far-flung as Australia, Canada and Jamaica. Faith Pictures has been praised by many, including the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, who describes it as “an amazing gift to the church” and the Bishop of Bangor, Andy John, who has recommended it as a valuable resource for churches in Wales to use. For more information and to download the course, please visit www.faithpictures.org

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Comedian Milton Jones is one of the people who shares his story for our online evangelism resource, Faith Pictures

News

YOUNG PRAYER WARRIORS SUPPORTING CHURCHES IN KENT The Thanet Centre of Mission has launched Prayer Warriors, a prayer group for children from churches across Margate, Ramsgate and Broadstairs on the east coast of Kent. “The idea of starting up Prayer Warriors came to me one day when I was feeling nervous about a meeting and my sevenyear-old daughter prayed for me,” said Lead Evangelist for the Thanet Centre of Mission, Lynne Bone. “It struck me how simple, lovely and powerful children’s prayers are – and how very much we need their prayers to promote unity and collaboration among local churches so that together we can transform communities.” The young prayer warriors’ intercessions will also be vital in promoting the Dream Team, an initiative set up earlier in the year by the Thanet Centre of Mission, which aims to “enthuse the pews” in mission and evangelism. The Dream Team involves a partnership between Church Army and 15 churches in the area. Members

meet regularly to share their dreams and objectives, worship together and mutually encourage and learn from one another. They also pool their resources of skills and talents to help each other and reach out to their communities more effectively. To watch a video on the Dream Team, please visit www.churcharmy.org/thanet

PET FAVOURITE canine companions when they go away, caring for them as carefully as their own family pet, Holly.

Gordon and Daphne MacCallum with their dog, Holly

What do you do with your dog when you go on holiday? Gordon and Daphne MacCallum from south London look after their friends’

In exchange, they ask their friends to make a donation to Church Army. “What we particularly value about Church Army’s outreach is their non-judgmental approach,” said the MacCallums. “Everyone is made to feel welcome and can experience God’s love.” National Project Officer, Peter Graystone, said: “You know you work for a great organisation when even people’s pets start supporting you! I am so grateful to Gordon and Daphne for their highly imaginative way of raising money for our work.” If you would like to fundraise for Church Army, please telephone 0300 223 2113 or email fundraising@churcharmy.org.uk

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Tales from Thanet

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Described as ‘church but not as you know it’, Ignite is held in three different venues across Thanet and attended by around 130 people. The Thanet Centre of Mission played a vital role in pioneering this fresh expression of Church, in partnership with the Diocese of Canterbury. “The congregation of Ignite is largely made up of people living with poverty, mental health issues or addictive behaviour,” explains Church Army National Project Officer, Peter Graystone. “Attending an Ignite service is a most unusual and very inspiring experience!” “We embrace people who find it hard to feel a sense of belonging in a more traditional church,” says Church Army Evangelist, Stuart Budden, from our Thanet Centre of Mission, “At Ignite, they feel valued and accepted for who they are, which also builds up their feelings of self-worth.” These get-togethers provide an opportunity for making friends, discovering more about God and what it means to be a Christian. Below are the stories of three people whose lives have changed for the better thanks to taking part in Ignite. Lisa’s (29) life has taken a complete turnaround – from a girl who used to go clubbing and take drugs to becoming a church warden, who dreams of being a vicar: Both my brother and sister live with me. We’re very close, I pretty much brought them up. Living together has its ups and downs. My sister suffers from Asperger’s while my brother spends most of his time at home on the computer. I met Stuart three years ago at Ignite. Ignite is informal, fun and reaches people who wouldn’t normally come to church. Around 30 to 40 people attend and we have quite a mixture of different ages and backgrounds.

When I was a child, I experienced sexual abuse. I became a rebel in my teens – I went out clubbing every night, had lots of boyfriends and took drugs. The base speed I was taking completely messed with my head. I was in a really bad place at the time. If Jesus hadn’t come into my life, I probably would be lying in a ditch somewhere. He’s made such a massive difference. I used to have really low self-esteem and found it difficult to relate to others. I feel much better about myself now. Once I would have never gone up to people I didn’t know and talked to them, now I do.

Stuart has really been there for me, I know I can call on him any time that I need him. He has supported me through many things, from job-hunting to relationship advice. I’ve been a church warden at St Christopher’s Church in Newington for three years now. It’s a big responsibility but I absolutely love it. I really believe that God put me in this role for a reason. It’s all part of his plans for my life. My dream is to become a vicar. I’ve completed my Deepening Discipleship course, and I’m going to do a Discovering Jesus course next. There are so many people out there who need spiritual comfort and prayers and I want to help others, as I was helped.

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Stories

Igniting passion for church

Tales from Thanet continued

Gail (50) has struggled with controlling her anger most of her life. Becoming a Christian has made her stop and think: “What would Jesus do?” It was during an Alpha course that I gave my life to Jesus. It was so nice to find a relationship with someone who loves and accepts me for who I am. I‘ve led a promiscuous life but when I was baptised, I felt that every sin had been washed away and I was totally clean again.

If you’d met me six years ago, you wouldn’t have come anywhere near me – I swore a lot, shouted a lot and was always angry. Anger was my defence mechanism, so I wouldn’t be hurt again, as I was hurt by my family. I’ve got three brothers and found it extremely difficult when I was growing up, I always felt like the odd one out. I’ve never been close to my family. I have four children – three boys and a girl – but I’ve failed as a parent. My daughter grew up with my parents and my sons went into care.

I met Stuart at Ignite in 2010. He’s an absolutely lovely bloke, he has helped me a lot. What I like most about Stuart is that he doesn’t judge me, he accepts me for who I am. I can sometimes be pessimistic about things, but he has a way of finding the positive in every situation. I spend a lot of time at church now and help out at Ignite. It has a very relaxed atmosphere that works really well for new Christians. Coming to faith has changed my personality. It has calmed me down and made me a lot more approachable. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still a daily struggle for me to control my temper. But now, before I open my mouth, I think: “What would Jesus do?” And, day by day, I’m getting better at controlling my temper.

Tony (46) suffers from schizophrenia, learning difficulties, a gambling addiction and low self-esteem. He is a lot less lonely since he started attending church: I have been living in foster homes and care homes since I was 14. I consider my stepmother my real mum – she is the one who sends me birthday cards, Christmas presents and so on. I met Stuart in 2010, when I was in supported living, and he invited me to attend Ignite. It is a very sociable event, we play music, video clips, do quizzes…everyone really enjoys it and I know a number of people who have given their life to Jesus through it.

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Stuart has been a very good friend to me. He helps me in my faith walk, accompanies me to meetings, helps me find solutions to my problems and cheers me up when I’m feeling down. I‘m bad with money, I have a big gambling problem. Stuart helps me manage my money and ensure I pay my bills and other essentials. I’ve moved house

so many times, and Stuart has always been there to help me move all my stuff.

Stories

I help in setting up the tables and chairs for our meals, I like to be useful and involved in the community. I’ve made a lot of friends through Ignite and going to church, which has really changed my life for the better, especially since I don’t have much contact with my family.

I’m single at the moment and I get lonely at times. I pray that God will send me a Christian girlfriend. It’s something I’ve always wanted, to share my life with someone special. I would love to get married and have a couple of kids before I turn 50. I pray and God always listens to my prayers. He has guided me through some really hard times, people letting me down, unemployment... God gives me the strength to get through it all. I know he will never let me down.

• Thanet is in the most deprived local authority district in Kent and in the top 10% of the most deprived areas in England (The English Index of Multiple Deprivation, Department of Communities and Local Government, September 2015) • Some 6,800 children (27%) in Thanet live in poverty (Public Health England, June 2015)

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Faith in later

ne of the most heart-warming initiatives run by the Thanet Centre of Mission is Prayer Care. Launched in 2008, the project involves a small team of volunteers visiting residential care homes on the east coast of Kent, assisting residents to explore faith in later life “Family members place elderly relatives in a care home with every good intention of visiting them on a regular basis,” says Church Army Evangelist, Stuart Budden, “Unfortunately, due to the busyness of life, what starts out as a weekly visit becomes a monthly visit, then a six-monthly visit. I know some care home residents who haven’t had a visit from their family members in over 10 years.” Stuart and a small team of volunteers currently visit four care homes in the Thanet area on a fortnightly basis. “The residents don’t get out, so their whole view of the world is based on what they read, see on television or hear on the radio,” continues Stuart. “We chat about everyday things, such as the weather, sports and what is going on outside the walls of the care home. Simply taking the time to

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ask ‘how are you’ and listening to them makes our visit the highlight of the week for many of them.”

Music to their ears Retired nurse Julie, who has been volunteering for Prayer Care since 2014, says: “Stuart holds Communion services for the residents, we share Bible readings and followup discussions, sing hymns and hold quizzes, which are always lively and competitive. I see the pleasure on the faces of those who recognise us from previous visits; I see feet tapping to the hymns even when a particular individual does not appear to be participating; I’ve had answers to my prayers for their wellbeing – these are rich rewards indeed.”

Stories

life “I’ve been volunteering for just over a year and I find it a wonderfully worthwhile thing to do because it makes a difference to the quality of people’s lives,” said Peter. “We value each one of our residents. Some are as bright as buttons, although physically frail. One resident, called Hettie, recently turned 100 but acts like she’s at least 20 years younger! The musical part of our visit is especially important to Michael, who used to be a band leader and is now in an advanced state of dementia.” Singing hymns is universally popular among the residents, as it takes them back to their childhood. “A resident might not say a word for weeks, but when you sing a hymn that meant something to them in their early years, they become little boys and girls again, they sing along to every word and you can see the sparkle in their eyes,” says Stuart. During the musical sessions, the Prayer Care team hands out maracas and tambourines to residents who want to beat in time to the music. The quizzes open up dialogue and build a sense of community among the residents, as they discuss possible answers, laugh and have fun together. These activities also stimulate the senses and help to keep the residents mentally alert.

Quotes from Tree Tops residents Jess (91): “I enjoy all the activities that Prayer Care organises, but my favourite part is when we sing hymns, as I remember a lot of them from when I was young.” Sheila (80): “I’m a Roman Catholic, so I don’t attend the service but I sit at the other end of the room and listen. What the team does is really lovely – they are kind, thoughtful and make everyone feel included. I don’t get out anymore, so I look forward to their visits.”

Dealing with death “Along with the fun times, we are also there to comfort and pray with our residents as they transition from life to death,” says Stuart. “It’s a huge privilege but also very difficult for me and the volunteers. We think of the residents as part of our extended family, so when we lose one or even two of them in a single week, that’s quite a lot of emotional baggage we are carrying around with us. We continue in our ministry and try and act as if nothing’s wrong for the sake of the other people who need our support.”

Christmas cheer “Every year at Christmas, we organise a musical band to give an hour and a half concert at each of the four care homes we visit,” says Stuart. “We share some Christmas cheer with the residents by giving out mince pies, festive hats and even a drop of sherry! The residents love it and we’ll be holding the concerts again this year. “We try to spread joy and be the smiley face of the church inside these care homes. Ultimately, it’s all about showing God’s love in a practical way to the older members of our community.”

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Daniel in the Lion’s Den by Peter Paul Rubens

God is with us w

ife is unpredictable, and we are often faced with situations that are uncomfortable or even downright frightening. Church Army Chief Executive, Mark Russell, explains why we have no reason to be worried

Growing up in rural Mid Ulster, we used to have this little routine at Sunday School called a sword drill. Two children would face each other off, each holding a Bible, and the Sunday School teacher would call out a verse, say Joshua 1:9. The first person to find it and read it out would win a prize. We would then get a bonus prize at a later stage if we could still remember, from memory, the text of the verse. One such verse was indeed Joshua 1:9, and not only did it go into my memory when I was eight years old, it has stayed there ever

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since. I can still recite the text of that verse, when God speaks to a terrified, anxious, scared and fearful Joshua. A Joshua with a massive, impossible challenge facing him, a Joshua who doesn’t know what the future holds, a Joshua who could have easily panicked. God said: “…Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” This is one of those verses I hold on to, sometimes cling to, when life turns an

unexpected corner. When something stands in front of me that makes me anxious, scared or worried. God says not to be afraid, or discouraged, because he is with us wherever we go. This little verse is one of those verses I always cling to when times are difficult. Whatever we face, whatever is front of us, God is there and he is there with us. Like the Psalmist said: “If I go to the heavens you are there, if I go to the depths you are there.” God is with us wherever we go. I came across a fantastic quote from my friend Mike Pilavachi, the leader of Soul Survivor, who said: “God found Gideon in a hole. He found Joseph in a prison. He found Daniel in a lion’s den. God has a curious habit of showing up in the midst of trouble, not the absence. Where the world can see failure, God sees a future. Next time you feel unqualified to be used by God, remember this. God tends to recruit from the pit, not the pedestal.”

Comment

wherever we go

“ God tends to recruit from the pit, not the pedestal” Anything is possible with God. He is amazing, wonderful, loving and he is for us. God holds us in the palm of his hand and shelters us with his arm. We are not alone, we are loved, we are held, we are accompanied on our journey. Like the friends walking that first Easter from Jerusalem to Emmaus, sometimes we don’t notice Jesus walking alongside us, but he is always there. Mark writes regularly for the Yorkshire Post and tweets @markrusselluk

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The tragedy of Jo

n June 2016, Labour MP Jo Cox was fatally shot and stabbed outside the library in Birstall, West Yorkshire. The 42-year-old left behind her husband, Brendan Cox, two young children and a shocked and grieving community. Church Army Evangelist, Paul Knight, has been helping the people of Birstall deal with their pain. He shares his experiences with us: “Hello, can you use me?” I had changed into my black clerical shirt and walked to Birstall Market Place. Our MP had been attacked in my parish two-and-a-half hours earlier outside the library, some 50 yards or so from where I was now standing. A row of TV and radio vehicles with satellite dishes stretched along the kerbside with cameras crews and presenters forced into the few feet between the vans and the ominous white and blue police barrier tape. I knew I had to be there. It was my job – more than that, my ministry. There were no books, no instruction manuals, just my past experience and the Holy Spirit. “Who are you?” “I’m Paul Knight, the Vicar of Birstall.” “Right, we’ll be live in a few minutes.” I took a deep breath and thought: “How did

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I get here?” “Standing next to me is the Vicar of Birstall, the Revd Paul Knight. This is a shocking thing. Do you know Jo Cox?” “Yes, I’ve met her and talked with her. She came to speak at a meeting that I was chairing soon after her election as MP. She’s a wonderful, bubbly young woman who is passionate about making a difference to the lives of the people of her constituency.” “We understand that she is in critical condition in hospital. How do you think the people of Birstall will respond to what’s happening here?” “I really don’t know. But what I do know is that we will be praying for her and for her family at this dreadful time.” After being interviewed by the BBC, CNN, Sky and a plethora of journalists, I made my

Community

Cox way home to grab a bite to eat. Opinion among the media was that the lack of news was not a good sign. I was watching the early evening police press conference as it was announced that Jo had been pronounced dead at 1.50pm on 16 June 2016. I put on my Church Army jacket and returned to the Market Place. They crews knew me by now and wanted to interview me again. “How are the people of Birstall feeling now?” “We’re stunned, shocked. It’s just so terrible.” “We understand that a local man, Tommy Mair, has been arrested. Do you know what might have made him do this?”

“ In every person is the potential for good and bad” “No, I’m sure we’ll find out in due course. You know, in every person is the potential for good and bad. I know that Jo chose to do good. She was determined that people’s lives should be improved. She worked hard for this community that she grew up in. She was so proud to have been elected to serve here and she did all she could to make a difference.” “We understand you are holding a vigil tonight?” “Yes, we are gathering tonight at St Peter’s Church where we’ll be remembering Jo and praying for her husband, her family and friends. Everyone is welcome to attend.” I arrived at the church soon after 8pm. Journalists, TV cameras and photographers were positioned at the back and down the side aisles. Almost 300 people were in our worship area, and looking around, I recognised some of the faces. There were locals, people of different faiths, MPs and other prominent figures. By 8pm, there was standing room only, with more people outside the doors. I was aware that countless others were watching from their televisions around the globe. I introduced the vigil by lighting a candle, said a prayer and read Psalm 23 and

Revelation 21. Everyone was silent, until I began singing O Lord, Hear my Prayer and the congregation joined in. The following day I was up early for a BBC Breakfast television interview. Our church opened at noon for people to visit, light a candle and sign a Book of Condolence. David Cameron and Jeremy Corbyn were among those who came to pay tribute to Jo. Later in the day, after more than 27 interviews for national, French, Spanish, Italian, Russian and Australian press, my phone rang, and a voice said: “The BBC wants to televise your special Sunday service.” The service was broadcast around the world. When I preached that Sunday morning, I based on the story of The Good Samaritan and referred to Jo as “a twenty-first-century Good Samaritan”. I couldn’t have imagined that by lunchtime that phrase would be splashed across national and international newspapers and repeated in news broadcasts worldwide. As I reflect on these extraordinary days, I realise that my many years in ministry prepared me for this role. I am grateful for all the prayers and support given to me by bishops, colleagues, friends and strangers alike. We are getting back to normality in Birstall now. Our community will never forget Jo, or her passion for bringing people together. In her words: “We are far more united and have far more in common with each other than things that divide us.”

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All Sorted!

orted is a fresh expression of Church ‘for young people run by young people’ living in West Yorkshire. Set up by our Bradford Centre of Mission in 2005, the focus of the project is on young people playing an active part in leading the services and reaching out to their peers. Sorted Project Leader, Andy Milne, tell us more: How many young people take part in Sorted?

people who join Sorted. We also give support to parents who are struggling with bringing up their sons and daughters.

Around 150 young people attend Sorted every week. We run three different Sorted groups, depending on the age of the young person and which part of Bradford they live in.

What are the challenges facing the young people of Bradford?

Do you engage with local schools? We minister at Hanson Academy and Immanuel College twice a week. We are there to listen, empathise and get alongside teens in schools. Our team believes in valuing each young person for who they are. We have good relationships with the school staff, and the feedback is that they’ve noticed a big improvement in the attitude of the young

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Drugs, alcohol, self-harm, bullying, anger, depression and anxiety are some of the most common problems. Many of our young people are from dysfunctional families and are hurting. There’s a young man we are working with who, a few years back, threw a brick at a teacher and shouted: “Why should I believe in God when my dad walked out on me when I was six days old?” It took time, but he eventually calmed down and placed his trust in us.

Why is it important to train young people as leaders? Once God gets hold of them, the best evangelists are often the young people themselves! We did a survey a few years back and found that around 50 percent of them come to Sorted through a friend that’s already taking part in the project. A lot of our young people are leading small groups and the worship sessions for the younger members of Sorted. The role of our staff and evangelists is to mentor our young leaders, empowering them to grow as disciples and evangelists in their own right.

Are local churches supportive of Sorted?

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There’s often no quick fix. We believe in a loving and patient approach, where the young person is prayed for and supported as long as it takes to bring a transformation.

Sorted is spread across six Anglican parishes and local churches have been very encouraging of our ministry. Several members of the clergy have shared Sorted testimonies in their church, some church members volunteer for our project, while many others pray regularly for us. Sorted was awarded the Bishop Mission’s Order (BMO) in 2010, officially recognising the project as a fresh expression of Church within the diocese.

Could you tell us a bit about Thrive? Thrive is a group for young parents. In Bradford, there are many individuals in their late teens or early twenties who have young children. Often they’re single parents. Thrive exists to provide them with support through focusing on their walk with Jesus and helping them to build both their life and parenting skills. For more information about Sorted, please visit www.sortedcommunity.org.uk

From the young people’s mouths: Robbie (17) “I first met Andy at school when I was 11 years old and I’ve been attending Sorted ever since. I gave my life to God during a Sorted summer camp. It’s hard to describe, it’s like I felt a hand on my shoulder and knew God was calling me. Everyone needs someone to help them in their lives and I know that Jesus walks next to me whatever I’m doing. When I’m feeling angry, I pray or read the Bible and it calms me down immediately. Last summer, I became a role model for a group of 13-yearolds. I took them under my wing and prayed with them. They ended up giving their lives to Jesus. I would like to become an evangelist one day to help others find Jesus.”

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All Sorted!

continued

George (18) “If I hadn’t joined Sorted, I would be into drugs and crime, like a load of other young people in this area. I’ve been coming to Sorted for six years now. At the beginning, I was just messing around. Then something clicked in me and I decided to become a Christian and get baptised. I love the atmosphere here at Sorted, we have fun and joke but we are also committed and focused. I met my girlfriend, Abby, through Sorted. Both of us being Christians has made the relationship so much stronger – we are always praying together and for each other. God is huge, he is everywhere, and inside each one of us. We are all his children.”

Abby (18) “Last year, my sister had a brain haemorrhage and nearly died. I was in my bedroom praying, everyone at Sorted was praying for her too, and she came out of the coma. She is still finding it difficult to speak and walk but she’s on the mend. I know that this is thanks to the power of prayer – when I told her she burst out crying. Now we pray together on a daily basis. Her children have started coming to Sorted every Friday night and they love it! Sorted is my second family, they’ve been there through all my problems and painful times. Being a Christian has made a huge impact in my life. I believe in myself because I believe in God.”

Kathryn (20) “I’m a single mother to my 18-month-old daughter, Emily. When I first came to Sorted, I didn’t really believe in anything and didn’t care about others. Sorted made me feel so welcome and taught me so much. I know I can always come here and won’t be judged. I am now part of Thrive, their support group for young parents. I’ve always been close to Church Army Evangelist, James Hawksworth, who is part of Sorted, and he was my godfather when I was baptised. When I had my daughter I asked him to be godfather to her as well! I don’t know where my life would be without Sorted.”

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Stories

Inspiring others:

Church Army Evangelist, Nicholas Lebey, from our Greenwich Centre of Mission says: “Being involved with Sorted for four years as part of my Church Army training was an exciting and wonderful experience of learning and growth. Sorted meets young people where they’re at and works with young people rather than for young people. Sorted has been instrumental in pioneering Transforming Youth Mission (TYM), a fresh expression of Church attended by around 80 young people in south-east London, where I serve as a leader.”

Moses Bantu, who was part of Sorted during his gap year, took the DNA of the project to Nairobi to set up Sorted Kenya (also known as Urban Hope), which currently reaches out to over 100 young people. He says: “When I was at Sorted, I experienced genuine love for both God and people. Andy and the team seek the will of God in all things, and their great patience, empathy, compassion and grace inspired me to set up Sorted Kenya. They’ve supported me every step of the way and continue to do so. I consider the Sorted team my family abroad.”

Problems facing Bradford’s young people: • 24% of under-16s in Bradford live in poverty • The rate of young people aged 10-24 who are admitted to hospital as a result of self-harm is higher than the England average, as is the hospital admission rate for substance misuse • The area has a higher teenage conception rate compared with the England average. Infant and child mortality rates are also above average (Source: Public Health England, executive agency of the Department of Health, March 2016)

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Shareit! reader survey results A big thank you to all the people who responded to our survey! We’d like to share some of the feedback with you. Many readers praised our magazine, and we so appreciate your words of encouragement. Thanks again, your answers will help us to ensure that Shareit! is the kind of magazine you look forward to receiving.

The bigger picture:

94% of people who responded regularly attend church

84% of you read

Shareit! to keep in touch with what Church Army is doing

60% of those who responded rated our front cover “excellent”

55% of you read all of Shareit!

What you like to read about:

61% of our readers are “very interested” in reading first-hand accounts of the people we help

45% of you state that you’re “very interested” in our News in Brief section

42% of you want to know more about the Marylebone Project and our other homeless projects

44% of our supporters like 42% have a penchant to read about our work with for The Last Word by Peter reading interviews with our children and young people Graystone evangelists 54% of you enjoy

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Survey

What people say about Shareit!

Warm congratulations to our survey prize winners: Ms D Proctor, Blackburn

Mrs A Russell, Banbury

Mr J Tattersall, Halifax

Mrs D Smith, Hertfordshire

Mrs V Marsh, Surrey

Miss R Sillar, York

Mr R Stewart, Newtownabbey

Mr B Brearley, Huddersfield

Mrs P Wilding, Shrewsbury

Mrs A Digman, Nottingham

Mr G Lockyer, Wakefield

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Q&A

with Research Director

n November 2016, our Research Unit published their findings into fresh expressions of Church (fxC). The findings are a culmination of four years of work, which has seen the team examine more than 1,100 fxC in 21 dioceses across the country. We chat to Director of Research, George Lings, to find out more about this relatively recent phenomenon that has taken the Church by storm:

What exactly does the term “fresh expression of Church” mean?

Why is Church Army taking the lead in fxC research?

The Church has always kept reimagining itself: it began as a Jewish sect, then spread across the Roman Empire and was imagined a bit differently by the Celts. During the Reformation, the Church was reimagined again, and so on. FxC is essentially a journey outwards, aimed at building relationships and helping people who are not currently church attenders to discover faith. Simply put, an fxC reimagines what it is to be a community around Christ, and how to stay faithful to traditional church, while at the same time being more creative.

Previously, our unit unearthed stories on fxC around the country to share good practices with others. I then sensed a nudge from God to shift the focus from sharing stories to gathering statistics. Our charity sees itself as entirely belonging to the Church of England but not controlled by it – which gives Church Army a unique role, making it ideal for conducting objective research.

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I think the biggest surprise is the existence of a whole category of people who are leading fxC, who we have nicknamed the “lay-lay”. Elspeth McGann in our team invented this term to describe people who are not ordained, haven’t necessarily been officially authorised or undergone any form of official training. We have discovered that they make up the leadership of 36 percent of all fxC. The challenge for the Church is: how do you encourage the lay-lay, without ”domesticating” them and making them just like all the other existing leaders?

What is the most encouraging aspect of fxC that you’ve discovered during your research? Forty years ago, around three new churches a year were being set up – nowadays this number has shot up to 300! Most people are unaware that the Church of England is experiencing this level of growth in the creation of new Christian communities who see themselves as Anglican yet are entirely relevant in today’s society.

Research

What surprised you most about the findings?

What, in your opinion, is the biggest challenge to the future of fxC? I think it has been proved beyond a shadow of doubt that they can be started. What remains to be seen is whether these young churches can thrive and stand the test of time.

Church Army’s Research Unit holding their newly published reports

etween January 2012 and May 2016, The Research Unit examined fxC across the north, south and central England, with the backing of the Church Commissioners. All the fxC examined were established between 1992 and 2014. Here are some interesting facts that have emerged from the findings:

FxC’s impact on community and church life: • Over 50,600 people are attending fxC across the 21 dioceses surveyed. • T here are four times as many fxC starting up now compared to a decade ago.

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50.5%

• T he so-called lay-lay leaders make up more than 36% of the existing fxC leadership.

49.5%

Who are the leaders?

• T he fxC are as likely to be led by women (49.5%) as men (50.5%).

Who attends fxC? • T he leaders of the fxC reported that their attenders are made up of 40% Christians, 27% de-churched and 33% non-churched. • T hey attract double the number of under-16s (38%) compared to parish churches (19%). •M ost types of fxC get-togethers are relatively small, with 35-55 members. • F xC have a strong presence on some of the poorer housing estates.

Food for thought: •O ver 80% of fxC are taking some steps to grow disciples, not just attract attenders. • T hey are vulnerable because only 10.8% of fxC have any legal status within the Church of England. •H alf of the fxC surveyed have remained the same size, 28% continue to grow, 17% of them experienced growth but are now shrinking, while 11% have died all together. To read the full report, a summary of the main findings and to watch a video on this topic, visit www.churcharmy.org/fxCresearch

Glossary: Lay-lay: individuals that are not ordained and haven’t undertaken formal church training. De-churched: p eople who attended church at some point in their lives, then stopped attending. Non-churched: people who have never attended church before.

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The Last Word

Six words that used to spoil my day “Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father.’ So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child…” Galatians 4:6-7

hen I was a teenager there was one sentence I used to dread. It usually came from an ageing aunt. It was only six words long but it could ruin my day: “You are so like your father.” Back then, I was trying to be a trendy 1970s dude. How could I possibly be like my father? He had no appreciation of the music of Marc Bolan. He didn’t grasp the grooviness of flared trousers. He didn’t even understand why it was so important to keep a full head of hair. Parents are so difficult to discipline. It’s mainly because of their size. Despite every assurance given on the way to a cousin’s wedding, they can cripple you with embarrassment by being the only people on the dance floor. They wobble around to music that’s virtually Victorian, saying: “Hey lad, this is what we danced to when music really was music. Better than the nonsense you listen to – flip flop, or glum rock, or brontosaurus, or whatever it’s called.” I used to dream of being adopted into some glamorous family. The Cunninghams from Happy Days would have been ideal. And then it happened. I really was adopted. I entered the family in which God answers to

the name Father. It’s a family in which the Holy Spirit tells us: “You’re safe here. You’re God’s child and no one will ever part you from him.” It’s a family in which we find ourselves making changes to the way we behave because we want to be as good as the parent who has adopted us. It doesn’t happen straight away – at least, it didn’t for me. But, over time, the Spirit sets us free from thinking only about ourselves, and makes us want to be more and more like God. As God shows his gracious, compassionate heart, I want to be as loving as that. As God reveals himself to be Good News for the poor, I too want to bring Good News.

By Peter Graystone

And now I’m nearly 60 I’m astonished at something that has happened recently. Something has taken place between me and God that I never dreamed possible in my teenage years. I find that I really want people to say: “You are so like your Father.”

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