Small church; large heart

Croes–Y–Parc Baptist Chapel has existed since 1777 and has over the years planted at least two other congregations in the Cardiff area. But in more recent years it saw considerable decline, going down to just six members.

The size of the congregation started to grow again about six years ago, doubling in number to 12. At that point, the church started to look out for a part-time pastor. Tom Pridham, who had preached on occasions in the chapel, was invited to the role three years ago.

Since his arrival, the church has steadily grown to 20 regular attenders, plus children and visitors. Tom is at pains to point out that this has very little to do with him but rather is an expression of the church families’ desire to live out of a dynamic relationship with God.

Tom set about encouraging this, and the church ran Rick Warren’s “40 days of purpose” course. They had to adapt it to their context, but found it helpful. They then embarked on a discipleship programme together as a church; this gave the congregation some idea of their purpose as a church.

“From the very start the church wanted to engage with the community,” says Tom. “It was the congregation that came up with the ideas as they developed a sense of family with every person playing a full and active part.”

The church is set in a reasonably prosperous area. They realised they had to start by winning the right to be heard.

“We had to start by showing the village that we were open for business and wanting to play our part in the life of the village.”

Tom started writing a regular article for the parish magazine which goes into almost every home.

The congregation started an annual “duck race” along the stream that runs through the centre of the village. “Everybody is allocated a numbered duck,” explains Tom. “The number is painted on the underside so that when we launch them into the stream no-one knows whose duck is in the lead.”

Hundreds of ducks float downstream with a crowd of 80 to 100 screaming them on. This slightly quirky introduction to the village has got the church noticed.

They also hold outside baptisms in the same stream and invite the village to attend. Next year they are thinking of combining the two events.

All the while they are looking to break down prejudice and give people a good time, but with a message and a purpose.

“We don’t hide what we are or why we do these things,” Tom continues.

Since starting the duck race, the church has also launched a pub quiz with a purpose to send a cow to the third world. They lead carols in the pub every Christmas. Recently they challenged the pub to a cricket match.

“None of us could play cricket,” laughs Tom, “but that just added to the fun.”

They have also become involved in the life of the local school, running higher rugby that combines rugby training and a Christian ‘team talk’. They have run fair trade fashion shows and an Easter fair.

Whenever a member of the church comes up with a new idea Tom asks them, what are you going to do about it? He seeks at all times to be encouraging and permission giving.

“We will try anything if it is rightly motivated,” he says.

From his perspective the key principles that make their engagements work are a strong sense of family and a strong sense of motivation and purpose as Christians.

Tom concludes: “We seek to fire one another up as Christians and see what it delivers. We haven’t reached the point where we can engage with the underlying issues in people’s lives yet. We’re still winning the right to be heard and trusted.

“It feels like we have something good and of God going on here. I’m sure God will protect it and not allow us to grow beyond the point where we lose the sense of being family.”

Read the article ‘How can small churches engage’ for more tips for small churches.

Last Updated 08 December 2008