Yesterday we held our annual Christmas Craft Day and we welcomed almost 80 children to the event hosted by our extremely hard working action team. It is quite something to see so many children from our own church, other churches and those who don't normally attend church having fun together. Because of the limitations of our own rented building we were forced to use Hipping Vale Community Centre.
Next year we will be able to use our own building and I'm sure it will be a great improvement on the facilities that we are used to. Being a main road location, we can better advertise these type of events on our own premesis and hopefully draw in even bigger numbers than we currently welcome.
Our program of children's events and our forthcoming youth events firmly establish our church as the towns best provider of christian outreach for the young. With our own facility we can further extend the range of activities to all ages.
Sunday, 30 November 2008
Friday, 28 November 2008
Obama and Brindle share same communications strategy
I read with interest today that Barack Obama made great use of email and various other web tools such as face book and YouTube to speak to his potential voters.
The article is located at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7754485.stm
He has recently launched a website change.com where he plans to post information about how he is changing the country and will invite people to join a mailing list to receive information directly from his press office without messages being filtered through the media. Clever stuff.......sounds very familiar.......isn't that why I created this blog ?
The truth is whether you are the president of the United States or a the secretary of a small church the message is clear. Efficient communication is paramount. Would we will happy hearing from God via a middle man I don't think so.
Thanks to all of the positive feedback I've received about this blog I'm going to keep it going beyond the opening of the new church and for as long as it continues to be of interest. I want to share the story not just of building the bricks and mortar but how we are going to build our church. Its going to be a great story.
CB
The article is located at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7754485.stm
He has recently launched a website change.com where he plans to post information about how he is changing the country and will invite people to join a mailing list to receive information directly from his press office without messages being filtered through the media. Clever stuff.......sounds very familiar.......isn't that why I created this blog ?
The truth is whether you are the president of the United States or a the secretary of a small church the message is clear. Efficient communication is paramount. Would we will happy hearing from God via a middle man I don't think so.
Thanks to all of the positive feedback I've received about this blog I'm going to keep it going beyond the opening of the new church and for as long as it continues to be of interest. I want to share the story not just of building the bricks and mortar but how we are going to build our church. Its going to be a great story.
CB
Thursday, 27 November 2008
Building our church on strong deep rooted foundations
Finally the land that has been a headache for so long is being covered. The first stages of the concrete floor were laid today in what will be the foyer. The whole floor is actually on site in piles waiting to be laid in place. This includes the floor slabs for the upper room.
This week we also start the process of balloting members about the new name for the church. The leaders shortlisted a handful of names, some that are possibly predictable, some which are unusual and a one or two with a modern twist. It will be interesting to see what the members decide after all in our church we take the views of all our members seriously and I think that's what makes us who we are. We 'do' church together, we all have the opportunity to get involved, we all look after each other - isn't that what church is all about ?
This week we also start the process of balloting members about the new name for the church. The leaders shortlisted a handful of names, some that are possibly predictable, some which are unusual and a one or two with a modern twist. It will be interesting to see what the members decide after all in our church we take the views of all our members seriously and I think that's what makes us who we are. We 'do' church together, we all have the opportunity to get involved, we all look after each other - isn't that what church is all about ?
Tuesday, 25 November 2008
Walls up, barriers down
This week the walls and floors will be started. The roof will follow shortly as well so that at least the builders will be protected from the elements.
Last week a number of the leadership met with representatives of the young peoples work and we have put in place a couple of small changes designed to better accommodate their work. We also discussed practical issues such as room usage and the type of equipment we need to put in. The kitting out of the building is a big thing particularly as we want the building to be totally flexible to meet the needs of all of our activities.
From provision for parent and toddler groups to lunches for senior citizens and everyone in between we hope to cater for as many people as possible. Our building will have the following :
Main hall - multi purpose room with sound system and seating for 166 people
Classrooms - Initially one class room with capacity for approximately 60 people although this will be designed to be subdivided in due course into two smaller rooms
Mezzanine Room - Multipurpose room capable of accommodating 60 people
We currently average 70-80 people in our Sunday services with approximately 20 young people so the building is more than adequate for our current needs. However it remains to be seen what God has in store for us as far as expansion is concerned.
There are a lot of displaced Oswaldtwistle Christians camping out in churches outside of town seeking a place to call home. These people may have passed through our church in the past but our message needs to be clear - It's a new beginning for us and a chance for a new beginning for them. If we welcome them in the way that I have been welcomed in we stand a chance of making a real impact in our town. When I became a member of the church I introduced myself as 'the first of many' and i intend to fulfill that promise.
Please continue to pray for the builders. There is a lot of heavy work taking place at the minute - rather them than me :-)
CB
Last week a number of the leadership met with representatives of the young peoples work and we have put in place a couple of small changes designed to better accommodate their work. We also discussed practical issues such as room usage and the type of equipment we need to put in. The kitting out of the building is a big thing particularly as we want the building to be totally flexible to meet the needs of all of our activities.
From provision for parent and toddler groups to lunches for senior citizens and everyone in between we hope to cater for as many people as possible. Our building will have the following :
Main hall - multi purpose room with sound system and seating for 166 people
Classrooms - Initially one class room with capacity for approximately 60 people although this will be designed to be subdivided in due course into two smaller rooms
Mezzanine Room - Multipurpose room capable of accommodating 60 people
We currently average 70-80 people in our Sunday services with approximately 20 young people so the building is more than adequate for our current needs. However it remains to be seen what God has in store for us as far as expansion is concerned.
There are a lot of displaced Oswaldtwistle Christians camping out in churches outside of town seeking a place to call home. These people may have passed through our church in the past but our message needs to be clear - It's a new beginning for us and a chance for a new beginning for them. If we welcome them in the way that I have been welcomed in we stand a chance of making a real impact in our town. When I became a member of the church I introduced myself as 'the first of many' and i intend to fulfill that promise.
Please continue to pray for the builders. There is a lot of heavy work taking place at the minute - rather them than me :-)
CB
Saturday, 22 November 2008
Video : Progress so far
To celebrate progress so far ive made a short video about the journey we've been on.
Enjoy !
CB
Thursday, 20 November 2008
What a team
Yesterday we had a site meeting with the builders and the architect. In total there was seven of us and we had a very constructive meeting, minor changes to the building were discussed which will make life easier for all but are of no real consequence to us were agreed such as the siting of electric meters and so on.
There was a really positive vibe about the place and the site Foreman reported that he was extremely pleased with the project so far and that there was no security issues or other annoyances.
A number of our team commented that the project had really caught the public imagination in the last week with the frame going up.
Next week the floor will be installed and the roof and walls will also start to be put in place. Its all systems go right now
CB
There was a really positive vibe about the place and the site Foreman reported that he was extremely pleased with the project so far and that there was no security issues or other annoyances.
A number of our team commented that the project had really caught the public imagination in the last week with the frame going up.
Next week the floor will be installed and the roof and walls will also start to be put in place. Its all systems go right now
CB
Tuesday, 18 November 2008
We've been framed (part two)
Frame complete !
Today the final parts of the frame were erected. The shape is complete and Ive got to say it looks much bigger than I thought it would be. Tomorrow I'm on site so I will get some pictures and post them on here.
CB
Today the final parts of the frame were erected. The shape is complete and Ive got to say it looks much bigger than I thought it would be. Tomorrow I'm on site so I will get some pictures and post them on here.
CB
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