In understanding be mature
Jesus told his followers to go and make disciples, not just converts. Once we believe, we have to grow to maturity in him. And a large part of that involves a mature understanding of who we are, where we’re going, and how we’re to be and behave on the way there — as well as knowing about God and relating to him as children of the Father through his Son Jesus, who has called us to become his brothers and sisters (with the ever-present help of the Holy Spirit).
So what do we offer at Baildon Methodist Church to help that maturing process?
Start with the obvious. We worship week by week, which over time gives prolonged exposure to hearing God’s word read, preached, and prayed over. Thus we are taught.
Continuity also helps friendships in the Lord flourish, which makes it much easier to share and discuss our journey, thus learning from one another about how to grow in our ability to be better Christians wherever we are — at home, at work, shopping, or at play, as well as in Church. There are fellowship activities, like the Supper Clubs, CAMEO, As We Are, and the Drama Group.
And there are worship-based activities like Singing Groups; and faith-based action together like Prayer Group, Cell Groups, and fund-raising for mission and charities, or helping with running the church and caring for its members (including children), and the many church-based activities (including Wesleys).
We offer assistance in Bible reading, study and reflection, together with others and on your own. These include Bible reading notes, and study courses such as the Lent course, and Church membership classes from time to time (which you can join as a refresher course, even if you’re already a member).
And we’re keen to help you hear or clarify your own call from the Lord. That might be to help with what’s going on already, like joining a rota, or helping with the youth groups, or becoming a Local Preacher or Worship Leader. Or it might be spotting something we don’t yet do, and which you feel the Lord wants you to start. Or he might want you to take up work for him elsewhere.
It’s all part of learning how to trust Jesus as our Saviour, and obey him as our Lord, more and more.
