AboutMBC

==About MBC==
====Our Vision====

MBC -Becoming a community for the community

Values: Christ-centred, Spirit-filled, Bible-based

'''What kind of community does God want us to become?'''<br/>
- a worshipping community, which honours God in all we do<br/>
- a praying community – seeking to know God’s heart, interceding for one another and the world.<br/>
- a missional community where mission is the agenda, not just an item on the agenda<br/>
- an inclusive community – which welcomes all<br/>
- a pastoral community – which helps hurting people to wholeness<br/>
- a disciple-making community – which equips people to serve and follow Jesus in the whole of life<br/>
- a prophetic community – which hears from God and speaks out God’s word<br/>
- a sacrificial community – which shares generously with others<br/>

'''Which community does God want us to be for? '''<br/>
-	a local geographically based community<br/>
-	a relational community<br/>
-	the global community<br/>

'''How will we demonstrate that we are for the community?'''<br/>
•	in evangelism - by reaching out in evangelism locally, and regionally along with others, equipping each person to be able to give a reason for the hope that is in them, wherever they spend their time.<br/>
•	in social action – by initiating community based social action projects; partnering with other churches or community groups; and releasing church members to engage in social concern through existing groups which may not necessarily have a specifically Christian basis.<br/>
•	in whole life discipleship - by  helping Christians to live transformational lives as agents for change reflecting gospel values in all aspects of life. <br/>
•	in world mission - by concern in prayer, giving and releasing personnel for the mission of the gospel within the UK and around the world.<br/>  
•	in social justice – by concern to see kingdom values influencing society. <br/>
•	in fellowship - by actively seeking fellowship with others, locally, regionally and nationally as part of the wider body of Christ.<br/>



'''If you visit on a Sunday…'''Recognising that different people find different ways of expressing worship to be helpful, we offer a range of worship and teaching services with a variety of musical styles, learning methods and degrees of formality.

Our regular 10.30 service on a Sunday morning is informal and celebratory in style, with lively, contemporary music led by a worship band. Bible teaching is illustrated by projected words and pictures.  The first Sunday morning of each month is an all age service, in which people of all ages can learn and worship together. On other Sundays children and young people have special groups to cater for them.

Teas and coffee are served at the end of the service and a Welcome Area provides a point of contact for newcomers.   

On the first and third Sunday mornings of the month we hold First Service at 9am, a quieter more formal reflective service, using traditional hymns sung from a book with piano accompaniment.  On these occasions tea and coffee are served between 9am and 10.30am services.

The evening service, normally at 6.30pm is quieter and more reflective than the 10.30 service, with music led by the worship band, and preaching is again illustrated visually.

On the third Sunday of the month the 6.30pm service takes the form of a Prayer Concert using a variety of creative methods to enable us to pray for our world, our church and one another.

The newest addition to our family of Sunday services is called Interact. It lasts for just one hour on occasional Sunday afternoons at 4pm. It is an opportunity for those who prefer to learn by doing, engaging with biblical topics through creativity and variety, and  informal contemporary worship.

'''Communion'''
Communion forms an integral part of our Sunday worship services on a regular basis, alternating between mornings and evenings. There is also a Thursday morning communion service.

'''Prayer Ministry'''
At each of our regular worship services we have a trained prayer ministry team who offer a personal and confidential prayer facility.

'''Activities'''
In ‘becoming a community for the community’, we have activities which support and enable those who are already followers of Jesus to grow in fellowship, discipleship and service, and activities which have as their focus enriching the communities of which we are a part, locally, relationally and internationally.

A series of midweek small groups meeting in homes, provide opportunities for mutual support, Bible study, discussion and prayer.

Fellowship groups for women, and men take place regularly.

Training courses in practical areas are run from time to time – recent examples have been ALPHA – an introduction to Christian faith; 2:7 - a discipleship course, the Marriage Course and the Marriage Preparation Course; and Just Walk across the Room – a faith sharing course.

Community programmes include a weekly coffee stop, monthly lunches, toddler group, pre-school, Boys Brigade, Girls Brigade, ENGAGE – a Saturday morning activity session for children, Junior Sports Club, IMPACT -  Friday night youth club.

An annual holiday club caters for 150 children in the first week of the school summer holidays.

Concerts are featured as part of the Weston and District arts Festival each autumn and at other times. Recent events have featured Jonathan Veira, Dave Bilbrough, comedian Paul Kerenza, and New Zealand rock band A Kiss Goodbye. 




'''Disability Access'''
The Church aims to be accessible for disabled people with a specially equipped toilet, a lift to the first floor, an induction loop, a minibus with a lift, some disabled parking and notice sheets and song sheets available in large print.

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Milton Baptist Church

AboutMBC
