Looking Outwards, Not Inwards
Our previous minister Mark Welch worked tirelessly to move the focus of the church towards the community. It’s amazing how things turn out, though.
Our library was under threat of closure, and some of the church members were not about to sit idly by and let it happen. To cut a long story short, the library became a Community Managed Library, largely staffed by volunteers but with a couple of paid part-time librarians; Rachael and Heidi. Mark was interested in the opportunity of reaching out to the community, and discussions took place over coffee. Amazingly, Rachael turned out to have an almost perfect CV for the job vacancy as a Community Worker in our church. It involved running services in church and in local schools, and we discovered in her untapped riches in inspired preaching. Mark discovered she had always felt she was called to be a minister, so he persuaded her to take up Local Ministerial Training.
Another bombshell! Mark himself felt called to accept the ministry at Dagnal Street in St. Albans, convinced it was where he needed to be.
BLBC, though, was sitting pretty for this. We had a much-loved Community Worker already partly trained and who we knew could preach up a storm, waiting in the wings. Due to the autonomy of Baptist churches we were able to move seamlessly from Mark to Rachael. How cool is that?
One of the church’s particular interests is in the reduction of food poverty. To this end there are boxes for collection of foodstuffs and essential toiletries permanently in the Lobby for both the Trussell Trust Local Food Bank and The Pantry, a completely local small charity, partly staffed by church members.
By far the most successful outreach event is the monthly Foodie Friday, run by library and community volunteers as well as church members. This provides a hot 3 course meal to adults and children. The children’s meals are all free, even the seconds, but there is a minimum donation of £1 for each adult meal. This event is very popular, so bookings have to be made at the library in advance.
We are also part of the chain of Warm Spaces in the area, opening the church from 11.00 to 1300 on Fridays for anyone who wishes to warm up and have a cuppa and a chat.