Being so close to the seafront and the neighbouring town of Blackpool, St Anne’s is a very popular holiday destination, bringing a whole range of people and issues for the congregation of St Anne’s URC to cater for. With the help of regional Missional Discipleship Mentor, Daleen ten Cate, this small church has been able to make a big impact on the community around it.
Like many congregations, St Anne’s faces the concerns of an ageing congregation, building maintenance, insurance costs and other areas needing a lot of attention. However, the congregation does not allow these things to get it down, pressing ahead in finding new ways to share the gospel and promote the place of the church in the life of the local community.
A very supportive and active group of elders at the helm helps to make things happen, supporting groups within the congregation who want to take action, as they deepen their sense of discipleship and seek to respond to God’s call for the local area. This has resulted in a Fresh Expressions group to help the congregation rethink what it means to be church together, a Trussell Trust foodbank and a drop-in for vulnerable people in the community. All of this has happened, not because of the work of experts or specialists, but the commitment of ordinary people to live the life of Jesus today, in their own way, in their own locality.
Daleen has been able to help the congregation think about whole-of-life discipleship and how this can inspire everyone, regardless of their background or abilities, to be part of building a better, more just world for all people. She has also been able to provide advice and suggestions to help the church with funding, practicalities and getting things going.
A story from the early days of the church’ outreach tells of a homeless man who needed a pair of boots. The church couldn’t do everything, but they could give him a pair of second-hand boots. Several years down the line, as a result of the fellowship, guidance and support which the church has offered, these boots now sit on the self-built mantlepiece of the homeless man’s new house, which he shares with his wife. A life turned around because ordinary people were willing to use their own gifts and talents to make a difference. Your church could do the same!
The Missional Discipleship Mentor programme in North Western Synod helps churches to engage with whole-of-life discipleship in ways that are relevant to their own contexts. To learn more about what your synod is doing to help local churches in your area, contact us.
