Reports from our Small Church Hubs

‘I went home feeling refreshed and hopeful for our church’s future’

The latest Small Church Connexion hub was planted on Sunday 18 February (2024), wonderfully hosted by Perry Beeches Baptist Church, North Birmingham.

Thirty-six people from four churches met for fellowship over tea and cake then Hilary, with the wonderful PBBC worship team, led a service of praise, scripture, sharing the joys and challenges of the churches and prayer for each church.

The joys included running café church and Alpha courses which have engaged new people with worship and God’s word.

The challenges included hard work for the leadership teams as 2 churches are without ministers, and another church in a time of grieving following the passing of their minister.

There was a need for discerning God’s plan for the future in prayer in all churches. The feedback was very positive and the hub is already planning the next event! Here are some comments:

Thank you for inviting us
Splendid event! I go home feeling truly refreshed and hopeful for our church’s future
Enjoyed having the ‘small churches’ sharing their trials. With God everything is possible for He is the author of all things. It was such a joy to meet as the people of God and begin to establish relationships and discover what resources we have to share.

If you would like to know more about joining or starting a hub in your area, please contact Hilary Taylor.

Scroll down for older reports.

Small Church Hub 1

The first Small Church Hub was held on Saturday 1 October 2022 at King’s Baptist Church in Stotfold, Bedfordshire. People from four churches attended and worked together well. The first event was a gifting workshop based on the five-fold ministry in Ephesians 4 plus two other gifts. The presentation was well received and the discussion lively.

We gave out feedback forms to assess how the people felt about moving forward with the hub as a place of support, training, celebrating and resourcing. When asked if they would attend more small church hubs, they ALL said yes!

There were really interesting answers to the two questions:

What help do you need from the other hub churches?
What could you offer to the other hub churches?

It was good to see where help was needed but also how the churches could offer support to each other. There were some appreciative responses to the venture and enthusiasm to meet regularly.

“Thank you, it has been very good and very much worthwhile”
“Good to begin to get to know others on the same wavelength with a similar heart – Thank you”.
“Great event and initiative”

If you are interested in hosting or attending a small church hub near you, please get in touch with Hilary Taylor.

Small Church Hub 2

The second Small Church Hub was held on Saturday 5 November at Eastern Avenue Baptist Church in Chadwell Heath, Essex. Nineteen people from four churches attended and worked together well. This first event was a gifting workshop based on the five-fold ministry in Ephesians 4 plus two other gifts. The presentation was well-received and the discussion lively.

We gave out feedback forms to assess how the people felt about moving forward with the hub as a place of support, training, celebrating and resourcing. When asked if they would attend more small church hubs, they said 'yes'!

There were really interesting answers to the two questions:

What help do you need from the other hub churches?
What could you offer to the other hub churches?

"Excellent time together for teaching and nourishment"
"Our sincere thanks to the organisers of the event"
"Great to have a place to discuss your thoughts and to hear other people's experiences and concerns"

Small Church Hubs 3 and 4 (report February 2023)

Small Church Hubs planted so far…
The idea of a ‘Hub’ is to be a centre for smaller churches to meet for training, resourcing, celebrations and discussion, held in a building, (of a small or large church) which has a car park (and/or near a station) and good facilities which are openhearted and welcoming.

To meet, talk, pray, listen and dream about how God wants His church to reach out to those who are lost. To work together on projects and to share expertise.

Hubs can be anywhere in the country, to be a centre for the local churches who can reach the hub building in about 30-45 minutes.

Two hubs were set up in autumn 2022 at King’s Church, Stotfold, Bedfordshire (CBA) and Eastern Avenue Baptist Church, Chadwell Heath, Essex (LB). (see above)

Two more have been set up in January 2023 in Totteridge Baptist Church, High Wycombe (CBA) and Waltham Abbey Baptist Church (LB).

The Totteridge Baptist Church hub was attended by three churches (although other churches were invited) and all enjoyed the Gifting Workshop event. The workshop was to identify their primary spiritual gift (Ephesians 4 v12) and to discuss how this works in practice in gifting groups. This meant that everyone got to know the others in their group and many ideas were shared. It was also good to pray together and have the opportunity to prophesy over each other.

At Waltham Abbey Baptist Church, although sadly only two churches were represented, many from one church came so the results of the workshop can be put into practice there more easily.

The session was really appreciated in both hubs and everyone was keen to meet again several times a year for different events.

Here are some comments from the attendees:

I learnt a lot today and enjoyed meeting people
Lovely morning, so lovely to fellowship with other church members
Thank you, Totteridge Baptist for warmth and hospitality
Great time of encouragement and fellowship
Shame not more came from other churches…

There was also a hub launch on Saturday 11 February at Blaby Baptist Church near Leicester (EMBA). The Hub has now moved to Cosby Community Church.

If you are interested in hosting or attending a small church hub near you, please get in touch with Hilary Taylor

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