More than 50 people reaching tough housing estates across Britain attended the Church in Hard Places (CiHP) conference in May hosted by New Life Church, Middlesbrough.
What does being church in a ‘hard place’ look like? The conference outlined that it is not about methods, but there are important strategies that we can identify.
Fundamental to everything is the need to understand the gospel. Andy Prime explained the need to prioritise the needs of the patient (triage) before problems are tackled. The challenge in areas of deprivation is often due to a focus on tackling problems, when the fundamental issue is sin in people’s lives. Unless the gospel is articulated in its fullness it does not have the power to cure.
Interestingly, Andy pointed out that there are not many atheists on estates, many have spiritual awareness and will visit psychics, mediums and spiritualists. Often they have some belief in God, but think he is irrelevant, would let them off anyway and are not willing to submit to him.
Local means local
The need for a local church to be local is imperative. Mez McConnell reminded delegates that in any evangelism, churches have to get into the community, focusing on people, not events. It is easier to put on an event than to get involved in what are often messy and complex lives.
Churches need to be a place of genuine community, a place where unbelievers feel welcome. Evangelism is how the whole church speaks of Jesus – not a few specialists.
Willingness to change
Being part of a community that culturally seems miles from what many may have been used to can be very uncomfortable. It’s like living in a new tribe in another part of the world – and culture shock may take place. The conference was asked how ready they were to change and adapt in order to reach out.
Certain groups are harder to reach than others – men in particular! A panel reminded us that estates often have a very matriarchal society and in many households the men are absent. How do we engage them? Inviting them to a board game evening may not be the answer, but are we willing to go to the local pub and meet?
