We planted, but God makes it grow!

By Andy O'Connell

The title is borrowed from 1 Corinthians 3, where Paul says, of the church in Corinth, which he planted: “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.”

Ten things I learned from Bethel

By Andy O'Connell

This was my first team trip to Bethel. I hadn't been in the team that visited in September 2022, but had many conversations with those who had been, and so I was expectant! As I've said before, such visits to other churches are really important for those of us that work in pastoral leadership roles - they keep us fresh and learning, and provide space for personal refreshing and encounter with God.

Church Vision Evening (part 2)

By On behalf of the Elders

On Sunday 26th March, we had the second of our vision evenings. You can listen to the recording of the evening here.

We started off spending time reflecting on the feedback received from the first vision evening, where we reflected on three areas: our vision of 'Boundless Renewal', our community groups, and becoming a more intercultural church.

On behalf of the Elders

Church Vision Evening (part 1)

By Andy O'Connell (on behalf of the Elders)

Last night we had the first of 2 vision evenings. You can listen to the recording of the evening here.

Andy O'Connell (on behalf of the Elders)

Bethel (Keith's personal reflections)

By Keith Elmitt

Arriving at Bethel for my first Sunday morning, I was struck by the scale of everything. Having been directed by a series of welcoming stewards to the huge car park, a sizeable building lay before me. As well as housing a worship centre for a thousand committed and enthusiastic worshippers, the building is also home to Bethel's Christian school along with several church offices and spacious training rooms.

Church: for the world, not (just) our parish

By Andy O'Connell

A quick read of the New Testament shows us a picture of a mobile and dynamic church. A church committed to each other, but also to making an impact in their towns and cities, and to the task of reaching the world with the good news of Jesus Christ.