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Bethel Baptist Church - Macclesfield
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Events


Bethel away day at Regents College, August 2003

The church held a one day conference at Regents College in Nantwich at the end of August. We had the use of this conference room, where the morning service was held along with the afternoon workshops.

Morning service in the conference room

The theme of the day was "What it means to be a contagious church". Pastor Chris Whiteley took as his text 1 Thessalonians chapter 1, a letter written by the apostle Paul to a church that he had founded in the midst of trouble. Paul himself had been unable to stay long in Thessalonica because of the violent opposition to the gospel. Yet this young church was hard-working, persevering, full of faith, and characterised by love. These qualities demonstrated that the Holy Spirit was at work in this young, suffering church. It was an inspirational church, and their faith was spreading to nearby Macedonia, and throughout Achaia, and further afield. If Bethel were a contagious church like that at Thessalonica, our faith in Jesus Christ would be spreading across Macclesfield, across Cheshire, and across the UK. Therein lies the challenge.

Crossing the courtyard

There was a little free time following the morning session, with an opportunity to cross the courtyard and wander gently around the grounds of the college.

A walk around the college grounds

The day included Sunday lunch in the college restaurant: full board, no preparation, no washing up.

In the afternoon, the church was divided into five small groups, each group tackling a question:

  1. Do we need to make our church more attractive?
  2. What can the church do to help with your personal witness?
  3. Which of the five expressions of faith found in 1 Thessalonians 1 are most important?
  4. How can we take opportunities to share our faith?
  5. What one thing would you change about our church?

After group discussion, there was a report-back session.

There was an hour or so free time in which to relax, enjoy the facilities of the college, or to take a little walk. We then left Regents College to return to Bethel for a short communion service.