For this last week SPLAT has hit St Mark’s as it does every October half term. The combination of 100 junior school age children from the local community, a great team of 50 volunteers from St Mark’s church (some who had taken time off work) and a great willingness to serve, have fun, talk God and just be there resulted in an amazing, life changing, week for many. This is all headied up skilfully by my amazing wife, Sarah, and our amazing friend Jo.

SPLAT has been running at October half term for 14 years. Over those years Sarah and Jo, and the rest of the team (many of whom have probably also been at each one), have gained the trust of, and met with, many parents and children in the community. SPLAT is seen as a trusted event of St Mark’s church where the church is simply sharing gospel values in word and action with the local community. I was even in one of my regular cafes this week and was asked if SPLAT was on by one of the staff because her child went, her last one being 6 years ago. 6 years on, this woman was still saying how amazing an event it was for her children.

Each year has a theme. We have seen Star Trek, Cowboys, Under the Sea … the list could go on …. this year the theme was MI SPLAT …. secret agents everywhere!

I had a small role each day to turn up at 12ish to be around and simply chat with parents. I met some pretty cool people and enjoyed listening and hearing peoples views and thoughts. Some I laughed with, others I listened to concerns of … all I enjoyed the privilege of spending time with.

Each time I turned up the atmosphere of fun, expectation and anticipation was really strong. On one day in particular I was moved to tears when Sarah asked children if they would like to be anointed for anything in particular. I welled up (being the great ‘man’ I am) as there were massive queues of children waiting to be anointed with holy oil. The sight was amazing and would have been a real eye opener for people who think children can’t get God and spiritual stuff!

My whole family are exhausted today …. but SPLAT has an event later this afternoon and then we are celebrating the SPLAT week in St mark’s on Sunday morning. As well as tonight there will also be a Christmas SPLAT event, Bethlehem Village, on the afternoon of Saturday 21st December …. put that date in your diaries!

SPLAT – was an amazing week!

Yesterday was one of those bizarre days when things crop up that just take you by surprise and then shock you right out of your comfort zone.

The day started normally with a visit to the High Street before meeting a lovely couple who I will be marrying sometime in June. As I left that home I heard a report on the adio saying church congregations were on the decline and that it was becoming less popular to be married in church or have baptisms. I laughed and thought to myself … not here. In St Mary Magdalene, one of the churches I am associated with, we have loads of weddings and baptisms and I try to support the priest who is there.

Later in the day I received a call asking if I would be interviewed regarding the nes story because another church I am associated with, St Mark’s, bucks the national trend with Sunday attendance. I hoped someone else would be available but in less than an hour, after a bit of prayer, there I was in front of a camera for the BBC South East news.

They asked me why I thought the congregation at St Mark’s was growing and implied beforehand that they thought it was due to wacky lively services which were more attractive to people. But I seemed to surprise them when I shared that personally I thought that the Gillingham churches had over the last decade really got involved in the local community and listened. From this listening they have worked together to provide stuff that is both helpful and needed: youth clubs, Foodbank, CAP advice, Alpha groups, CAB drop ins, Midwife drop ins, holiday clubs, community events, an oversubscribed children’s club, support for international students, and so on and so on.

I tried to say that as the churches of Gillingham had shown that their faith in God was a practical faith that cared because God cared and got involved to make a positive difference then people became interested.  When people saw a lifestyle that matched the message they were attracted. When authenticity of word and action were obvious people became intrigued. This stuff goes right back to Love Gillingham days, and even before when GYFC was set up. I tried to say all that, but I’m not sure how well I did but I’m told the message was clear and succinct!

I’ve probably said before, but this common notion that if we just change this or change that about a Sunday service then people will come is no longer a complete answer. It may have been in the past when people were more naturally connected to church. But we now live in an age where more than one generation of people have never been to church in their life …. and so it brings into question the whole Back to Church Sunday thing. It needs to be a try church campaign …. or maybe it doesn’t. Maybe Back to Church Sunday needs to become ‘Let’s get Out of Church Sunday’?

I think the lifespan of a purely attractional model of church has its days numbered. They will exist, but unless they are rooted in their areas, expressing the truth of God’s LOVE (not the lie of condemnation), and being a transformational presence in their communities …. then I am not sure how healthy they will be.

I do firmly believe in a mixed economy of church. We certainly don’t wish to retract to becoming just one kind of church with one kind of church with one language and one idea. I think that is important. Mixed economy talks of relevance and engagement. Traditional church is not out of touch if it is engaging and enabling its congregation. Fresh expressions of church can be out of touch if they become inward looking worship services.

I am convinced, however, that we are living in a time of heightened spirituality.  People want to experience God and they want to know that faith in God works.They need to be convinced of the faith working bit before exploring it further. That is a massive challenge to all Christians because the time has now passed for many when they will naturally think of visiting a church to meet that spiritual need, or to meet the God that created them and passionately loves them.  Church is no longer on the agenda of, and nor does it feature in, the minds of the majority.

If they won’t come … then we have no option but to go! That makes sense to me … to go and not preach the ‘message’ …. but to go and be the message. So … lets GO! I’m getting old and my memory is failing but,  …. didn’t someone else say that about 2000 years ago ….

I have been challenged by this poem called ‘Therapy’ written by Steve Malakowsky. You can read the background, and tribute, over on TSK’s blog.

can i take my addictions into your church
can i sit on your padded pews
can i bleed on your carpet or do you want
me when i’m clean and not now
can i take my addictions into your theology
is it big enough to face my pain
or will i stain your glass with street smells
and sweat
where can i go
where can i go when i’m addicted . . .