Welsh Bible roots call

The current cost of living crisis could prove an opportune moment for Baptists to rediscover their Biblical roots, a Welsh leader says.

Writing in a recent newsletter, Baptist Union of Wales’ Mission Director Simeon Baker acknowledged the challenge of maintaining large buildings and the pressures that brings, not least on church finances and this is likely to get even harder over winter.

‘The energy costs of heating large empty chapel buildings with old and inefficient heating systems is going to significantly rise,’ he said, ‘and perhaps those same questions will return: how do we continue to meet?’

He continued: ‘Whilst it would be easy to feel defeated, this energy crisis is perhaps another opportunity to reimagine and remember the way Baptists as non-conformists have the freedom to do church. New Testament churches met in homes and households. They gathered around tables for fellowship and food, breaking bread and sharing life.

‘If these last two years have taught us anything, it has encouraged us to think about why meeting as the church still matters and how we can we be the church today. If the way we have been doing church has not helped new members discover Jesus – maybe it’s time to think again about the way we do church? It is always sad when a chapel has to consider closing, but long may the church continue’.