School hall packed to discuss 'Your church can grow'
Keyworth Primary School hall was packed to overflowing when delegates came from Baptist churches across the East Midlands for a special session themed 'Your church can grow!'
Regional minister & Team leader, Dianne Tidball fired hearts and minds with the first session which examined 'God's call to grow' and which she titled 'The Gospel, The Gospel, The Gospel', drawn loosely from the TV series 'Location, Location, Location'.
When considering the state of churches today (where 25% are growing, 25% are holding ground and 50% are in decline) she began by asking "is it because we have wandered from the Gospel? Is it because we have lost confidence in God and his purposes? Have we made it all too complicated?" Focussing on Romans 1: 1-17 she said "Paul summarised his message to the church in Rome by saying 'I am not ashamed of the Gospel, it is the power of God for salvation to the Jews first and then the Gentiles'."
She went on to talk about 6 truths about the Gospel based on the first seven verses: it has come from God the Father; its centre is Jesus Christ, Saviour and Lord; the Old Testament points to it; it is for all nations; its aim is to bring people to a trusting faith in God; its ultimate aim is the glory of God. She said, "The Gospel is a great leveller. It is for everyone but particularly the powerless, marginalised and poor. All, through faith, encounter God and are forgiven of their sins, made to be God's children, filled with his Spirit, transformed and introduced to God's community. All are saved in the same way - by acknowledging Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord and living God's way not their own way.
She talked about Gospel foundations: The goodness of God, Lordship of Christ; Good news for all; Received through faith. And then expanded on three Gospel attitudes - compelled, eager and unashamed.