Keyworth Primary School hall was packed to overflowing when delegates came from Baptist churches across the East Midlands for a special session themed 'Your church can grow!'
Regional minister & Team leader, Dianne Tidball fired hearts and minds with the first session which examined 'God's call to grow' and which she titled 'The Gospel, The Gospel, The Gospel', drawn loosely from the TV series 'Location, Location, Location'.
When considering the state of churches today (where 25% are growing, 25% are holding ground and 50% are in decline) she began by asking "is it because we have wandered from the Gospel? Is it because we have lost confidence in God and his purposes? Have we made it all too complicated?" Focussing on Romans 1: 1-17 she said "Paul summarised his message to the church in Rome by saying 'I am not ashamed of the Gospel, it is the power of God for salvation to the Jews first and then the Gentiles'."
She went on to talk about 6 truths about the Gospel based on the first seven verses: it has come from God the Father; its centre is Jesus Christ, Saviour and Lord; the Old Testament points to it; it is for all nations; its aim is to bring people to a trusting faith in God; its ultimate aim is the glory of God. She said, "The Gospel is a great leveller. It is for everyone but particularly the powerless, marginalised and poor. All, through faith, encounter God and are forgiven of their sins, made to be God's children, filled with his Spirit, transformed and introduced to God's community. All are saved in the same way - by acknowledging Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord and living God's way not their own way.
She talked about Gospel foundations: The goodness of God, Lordship of Christ; Good news for all; Received through faith. And then expanded on three Gospel attitudes - compelled, eager and unashamed.
In conclusion she said "God's word speaks into our lives again this morning. We are reminded of the basics 'for God so loved the world that he gave his only Son that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life'. It is about faith. Not blind faith. But a faith that says we believe who you are, meet with us. Lead us in your ways. It is about being eager and unashamed. About so understanding the truth of the Gospel that each day our lives are transformed by its power and its grace. We are Baptists - we stand by the Declaration of Principle and I have heard quoted so frequently that 'each church has liberty under the guidance of the Spirit to interpret and administer his laws'. This appeals to our desire for self-determination and control. Much less, if ever, have I heard the third part of our declaration of principle: 'it is the duty of every disciple to bear personal witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to take part in the evangelisation of the world'. Paul's words call us to reclaim our heritage."
The 130 delegates to the day then split into workshop sessions focussing on Growing through outward focus/pioneering; Growing in numbers; Growing deeper with God.
The team at Keyworth Baptist laid on an incredible spread of cakes, tea and coffee for delegates as they arrived and also at the lunch break.
