Baptists to give a ‘Big Welcome’ this Sunday

Last Updated on Wednesday, 22 December 2010 15:23 Monday, 20 September 2010 00:00

Hopes are high that the Baptist Union of Great Britain’s (BUGB) tailor-made involvement in Back to Church Sunday (26 September) will result in churches welcoming thousands who do not regularly attend. For the first time in its participation in the Anglican-founded Back to Church Sunday the BUGB has offered its own resources to churches across the denomination. It has rebranded the initiative the ‘Big Welcome’, with ‘Come as you are’ as the strap-line.

The principle of inviting friends and neighbours is the same. However all the additional resources issued to the 475 participating churches – including invitations and sermon ideas – have now been designed by the BUGB.

BUGB Head of Mission, the Revd Ian Bunce, has been buoyed by the response to the new materials.

"There has been some very warm, positive feedback, that the resources reflect the Baptist identity that bit better," he said. "People have appreciated that it’s not about church, but a welcome; that they’re not tied to ‘back’ so people feel happier about inviting people who have never been to church; and that it doesn’t mention Sunday – some churches are hosting other events, like my own, which is having a harvest supper."

"These things had become an issue for some churches. They said it didn’t fit them. These new resources give them that flexibility."

The new resources contain a sermon script by BUGB Vice President, the Revd Chris Duffett. All the posters and invitation cards feature the new logo and there are suggested service outlines, songs and all age ideas by former Mission Advisor Nick Lear.

The BUGB first offered Back to Church Sunday to its churches in 2008. Figures show around an average of 12 people per church respond to invitations, of whom around a third continue to attend church.

"We’re still excited about the testimonies from last year, with stories of people belonging to church in a new way," said Ian Bunce.

The Baptist Men’s Movement is also running its Bigger Breakfast initiative over the same weekend.