Managing Growth
At the end of the May, the elders had a morning away to prayerfully reflect and think through how we might best manage the growth we’ve seen by God’s grace at Grace Church over recent years. We’re hugely thankful to God for all He is doing, but aware at the same time that the growth we’ve seen numerically, especially at the 10am service, does present practical challenges for us week by week.
A service that is seemingly full can make it difficult for us to invite friends, and can also be difficult for visitors to feel that there would be space for them should they want to come regularly.
We want to create more space and more opportunities for more people to hear and respond to the Good News of Jesus. To that end, we would like to ask all those at the 10am service to prayerfully consider whether you might be willing to move to the 4:30pm service instead?
A big ask, and big opportunity
We recognise, of course, that this is a big ask, and doesn’t come without cost. Change can often be difficult. We also recognise that this is not something that will be right for everyone - so we want to triple underline that we aren’t seeking to pressurise anyone into doing anything they don’t feel is right for them and their family.
Back in November last year, we were in the book of Philippians at the 10am, and we considered the radical humility that Paul calls us to in Philippians 2 - exemplified in the Lord Jesus. We believe that this is a chance to look to the needs of others above ourselves, and that that is a good thing for us, and we would like to encourage us all to prayerfully consider what that looks like in practice for us.
Our hope and prayer is that we can free up space at the 10am, and that we can bolster and encourage the 4:30pm at the same time - and that there would be fruitful gospel opportunities at both services as a result.
Introducing the ‘Join as at the 4:30pm’ video!
At one of our recent Sunday 4:30pm services, we interviewed a number of different people to ask them what they apreciated about the service. Here’s what they had to say:
Please do get in touch with any of the elders or staff if you have questions or concerns - we’d love to hear from you. And, please be praying for our great God to build his church, for his glory and our good and for us all to be in step with His Spirit.
