Baptist Assembly focuses on new understanding of mission

In a Britain that is no longer Christian, how should the church reach out to those who have said “no thanks” already? That is the question Baptists will tackle at their annual Assembly this weekend.

Some 1,500 Baptists are heading to Plymouth for the annual Assembly of the Baptist Union of Great Britain, which gets underway tomorrow.

The four-day gathering is one of David Coffey’s last engagements as President of the Baptist World Alliance before he steps down later in the year.

Other speakers include Amy Orr-Ewing, training director at the Zacharias Trust, Jonathan Edwards, General Secretary of the BUGB, and David Kerrigan, General Director of BMS World Vision.

Reflecting the theme of this year’s Assembly – One World, One Mission – Kerrigan challenged Baptists to consider how the church should reach out to those who have rejected the invitation to join already.

Writing in his blog this week, he said: “Britain, like most countries, is no longer mono-cultural, mono-lingual or mono-anything. It’s a vibrant blend of east and west, north and south.

“And along the way, Christian Britain has become non-Christian Britain. Most of our neighbours and friends, whether immigrants or not, do not share our faith or our worldview or our understanding of what it means to be born in the image of God.

“The Prodigal Son and the Good Samaritan are unknown narratives. The cross and resurrection make no impact in people’s lives.”

Mr Kerrigan recently visited Tunisia and Croydon with Edwards to reflect on the nature of mission today. Highlights of their visits will be shown in a short film to Assembly delegates.

He asked Baptists attending the Assembly to consider how the Church could reach out to consider new models of Baptist ministry.

“In this new world of missionary encounters with our own communities, we need to ask afresh what the nature of church is,” he said.

“We still operate largely on a ‘come and join us’ model – what models might be needed to reach those who have answered ‘no thanks!’? What model of Baptist ministry do we need for the generations to come? What kind of theology is needed? Where can we tap into the missiological skills and insights needed?”

The Assembly will debate two public resolutions on its last day of business on Monday, one on violence and human trafficking, and another on nuclear weapons, which is being seconded by former Iraq hostage Norman Kember.

“We want the weekend to be one which sends people home buzzing with new ideas and encouragement for mission in their local church,” said Mr Edwards.

Assembly-goers are being asked to donate items like men’s clothing, toiletries and non-perishable foods that will go to Devon and Cornwall Refugee Support.

He added: “The Assembly theme, One World, One Mission, is not only about us as Baptists sharing the message of Jesus Christ but also sharing his love as well. I am sure that Baptists will give generously to those in need in this beautiful part of the country.”