We have got some exciting news to share with you – we are now on Facebook! You can find our page here – www.facebook.com/churchgrowthtrust

If you haven’t already, like our page so you can stay in the loop with our latest updates.

By liking us, you will always be the first to hear about the latest church property news, plus inspiring stories from our connected churches.

However, will continue to post our latest news items onto our website for those of you that are not members of the Facebook community.

Sign up for email updates

You can also sign up for our email list to ensure you are always the first to hear about the latest church property news, advice and tips.

To give you more choices over the information you receive from us we have a range of email updates that you can sign up to:

• Latest news – about legal & charity matters 
• Available church properties – that we are letting 
• Monthly tips – advice for managing your church building  
• Church stories – to encourage and inspire 

Coral J. Cook III and his wife’s faith journey has taken them from Southern California to the UK, answering God’s call to establish a church. Their path brought them to Birmingham, where they connected with Steve Whittington, an experienced church planter.

The connection with Steve Whittington proved pivotal, paving the way for Coral’s family to settle and plant a church in the Walsall area, facilitated by Church Growth Trust (CGT). Their arrival aligned Delves Gospel Hall, a church building owned by CGT and previously devoted to serving the Delves estate, becoming available to lease.

In July 2023 Christ Church Birmingham began renting the Delves Community Hall in Walsall to kick-start Redemption Hill Church. Upon acquiring the premises, several weeks were spent on its maintenance, buoyed by the support of an American team that travelled to the UK to help them. This marked the inception of numerous community events among the local people.

A summer BBQ event was a highlight for the team, uniting families within the Delves estate and fostering a sense of togetherness. Laughter echoed during the “Comedy and Curry” night, drawing families and youth from the neighbourhood and leaving a lasting positive impact.

Looking ahead, the church aims to further embed itself within the community. Fortnightly “Community Dinners” are underway, which serve as a gathering point for locals to share in fellowship and mutual support. Moreover, monthly afternoon church services offer spiritual guidance and a place for reflection.

Coral envisions a vibrant church, rooted in the essence of service and compassion. Their aspiration is to honour the resources of the church building which is now entrusted to them by God by serving the Walsall community wholeheartedly.
“I am grateful for the blessings in Delves Gospel Hall and thanks to God for what has happened in the past and is happening today with this property. I am also delighted to hear of the church’s plans for our future” remarked Giles Arnold, CGT’s Chief Executive. “The unfolding community-driven initiative and God’s continuous work in the Delves Estate, as He builds His church is what encourages us at Church Growth Trust to continue to hold church properties and make them available for growing evangelical churches.”

A new version of the booklet “Growing churches – church revitalisation project” is now available, not only online, but also as a paper copy. It helps churches think about where they are in the cycle of growth/decline, encourages them to think about what would be needed to be revitalised and gives examples of churches that have been through the process and seen significant growth. 

Giles Arnold, Church Growth Trust’s Chief Executive and previous chairman of the Operations Teams for the Project, says, “Some people only think about “revitalisation” when it’s too late and they have already become too small and weak to be revitalised. They require resuscitation or resurrection! We have improved the booklet because we think it’s better to encourage churches to engage with the project at an earlier stage. We want to speak to them when they have problems but can still see a way through them. When addressed through our Church Health Checks and mentoring inputs, that church can begin a whole new journey of revitalisation.”  

He adds, “We are delighted to be part of this vital project to help churches review their own position and kick start their growth. We work closely with Counties and GLO to provide churches with mature advisers to walk with them through the process in a way that is encouraging and challenging. A number of churches that occupy Church Growth Trust’s buildings have benefitted from the Church Health Checks, which are provided as part of the Project, and we are keen to promote the Church Revitalisation Project for churches to think about growth before it is too late.” 

How to get copy

You can get a copy of the latest booklet from CGT by emailing enquiries@churchgrowth.org.uk or by telephoning 01536 201339.

You can also view an electronic version of the booklet at www.counties-training.org/church-revitalisation. 

Church Growth Trust (CGT) is delighted to share that you can now register your interest for the next Living the Passion conference in October 2024. During previous conferences, hundreds have been inspired and equipped to help their local churches become more effective in reaching out to their communities with the glorious life-changing message of Jesus.

2024 conference details:

• 25^th – 27^th October 2024
• Yarnfield Park Training and Conference Centre, Staffordshire
• With guest speaker Ed Shaw

The aim:

The aim is to ambitiously seek to deepen spiritual life, broaden the vision for church growth and church planting, energise leaders, inspire next generation leaders, and provide an opportunity to foster relationships leading to an increased and fruitful collaboration. These remain at the heart of what Living the Passion is all about.

Register your interest on the new website today!

To be the first to hear the latest news about the event. Visit the new website https://livingthepassion.org/ and mark the date in your diary.

We are delighted that the autumn 2023 edition is out now. Full of encouraging stories, we celebrate independent evangelical churches and the work they are doing to share the news of Jesus Christ with their communities.   

As we are now in autumn, the leaves take on a different hue, we build on the theme of the new approaches explored by independent churches since the pandemic. New approaches to ministry, to worship and to technology. 

Things to look out for in this issue: 

• Renewed joy in communion and fellowship! – How the ‘new normal’ is affecting the UK’s independent evangelical churches
• International Brethren Conference on Mission 8 – Neil Summerton considers the success of this year’s conference
• Property tips for autumn – advice and guidance as we head into the winter months  
• Building transformations – stories of recent building projects and the positive effects they have had on the work of the churches  

Want to be added to our mailing list?  

Click here to be added to the mailing list for the next issue.   

Additional copies  

Would you like additional copies to share with your members? Send an email to enquires@churchgrowth.org.uk with your name, church name and the address you would like it sent to. 

It may seem that no matter what, we cannot escape the festivities around 31 October. In 2023, many Christians are embracing alternatives to Halloween and participating in festivities that incorporate their Christian beliefs. Church Growth Trust has gathered a selection of ideas and resources to help resource your chosen events and festivities.  

Light parties 

Some churches hold special events around this time of year.  There might be a ‘light party’ with fun activities for children and young people – these events are a lovely way to focus on all that’s life-giving and positive around All Hallows. Scripture Union has created a comprehensive guide to holding your own alternative celebration – Light Parties | Scripture Union. 

Acts of kindness and charity

Rather than participating in traditional Halloween festivities, some may choose to engage in acts of kindness and charity. They may visit nursing homes, hospitals, or shelters to distribute gifts, cards, or treats to those in need. This places emphasis on compassion, love, and service to others, reflecting the teachings of Jesus. 

‘Trunk or Treat’ events  

“Trunk or Treat” events have gained popularity among Christian communities as an alternative to traditional trick-or-treating. Church members decorate their car boots or ‘trunks’ in a festive way and park them in a designated area. Children then go from car to car, collecting sweets and participating in games. This allows for a safe and monitored Halloween experience while fostering community togetherness. Type ‘trunk or treat’ into your search engine to find lots of ideas to inspire you!

An evangelistic opportunity  

The occasion provides us with a unique evangelistic opportunity to reach out to our local communities outside of church. Visit the Faith in Kids Halloween Blog for ideas for equipping ourselves to think Biblically about Halloween. Scripture Union has created ‘Jesus is the light’ children’s session to help incorporate the message into your events. The team at Speak Life has also created an evangelistic video for Halloween, that although a couple of years old, remains relevant.  

Give out a taste of the Gospel alongside sweet treats

When trick or treaters come calling, why not give out sweet treats and some form of age-appropriate gospel or scripture-based tract, booklet, or gift? Adding Bible verses to bags of sweets (minus the scary wrapping) could be a great alternative. 

Prayer and reflection gatherings 

For some, dedicating the evening of Halloween to prayer, reflection, and contemplation is a meaningful alternative. Families or communities can gather for prayer services, scripture reading, and discussions about faith. This time can be used for spiritual growth and strengthening connections with God. 

Supporting parents  

It can be tricky to support younger children to engage with Jesus and respond to him, especially amongst the distractions of typical Halloween festivities. By sharing the ‘Faith in Kids’ video ‘Why can’t we be like everyone else?’ you can help parents navigate the difficult aspects, such as knowing how to respond to party invitations or knocks at the door.  

Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) is a lightweight concrete material prominently utilised in construction from the 1950s to the mid-1990s. Its primary applications included the formation of lightweight structural units like roof planks, wall/floor panels, and lightweight masonry blocks. It is worth highlighting that some buildings constructed during this period may contain components made of RAAC. Given recent developments regarding school closures, concerns regarding the integrity of buildings are certainly warranted. 

Appraising the lifespan of RAAC 

Originally designed with an approximate lifespan of 30 years, most RAAC elements in buildings have now exceeded this. RAAC is also susceptible to structural compromise upon exposure to moisture due to its aerated composition, allowing moisture infiltration and subsequent degradation. As it was typically deployed within structural elements such as planks constituting intermediate floors or roofs, RAAC components are often concealed beneath ceilings or other internal finishes. 

Conducting a thorough assessment 

For those overseeing properties where RAAC may have been used, a comprehensive audit to ascertain its presence is required. A good first step is to review the historical construction documents associated with the building. It may be worth contacting the local authority for documentation if records are incomplete. However, it’s important to exercise caution, as the actual construction might deviate from the depictions in the architectural drawings. 

Pursuing in-depth investigation 

If there is a suspicion regarding the presence of RAAC within a church premises, engaging a qualified surveyor for a comprehensive investigation and confirmation is advisable. Given the time frame during which RAAC products were utilised, proximity to asbestos-containing materials such as ceiling void boarding is possible. Churches should make their asbestos survey and management plans available to any surveyors or contractors carrying out investigations. If the church does not have an asbestos survey and management plan in place, it would be prudent for one to be carried out by a qualified surveyor alongside any investigations. Should RAAC be suspected, the surveyor may need to remove parts of the building to gain access to the RAAC and check its condition. It is important to note that any subsequent recommendations made by the surveyor will need to be followed.  

Find a surveyor  

A list of suitable surveyors can be found on the RICS website.  

More information 

More detailed information about RAAC can be found on the RICS website RICS website or UK Government website. 

Church Growth Trust (CGT) is pleased to introduce its new trustee, Dan Leafe, to the Church Growth Trust team. Dan is a barrister known for his legal expertise and commitment to community causes and has recently taken on an exciting new role as a trustee with Church Growth Trust.     

Dan is married to Susie. They divide their time between Bristol, – where Dan’s work is based, and Cornwall, where he is one of the leaders of the Anchor Church, Fowey. While excelling in his legal profession, Dan has over 30 years of experience in church leadership. He has always maintained a deep connection to his community which has led him to work amongst students, to train leaders, to preach and to support many church leaders in times of crisis.     

Dan and Susie’s spare time is spent in all things Cornish – boats, beaches, food, football, and traditional singing. Most of all though, Dan is a tennis fanatic.    

As Giles Arnold CGT’s Chief Executive states, “Dan’s appointment adds a wealth of legal and strategic knowledge to CGT’s mission of supporting church growth and development. We look forward to the valuable contribution Daniel will bring to the direction of CGT.”    

Although it is good to see new trustees, it is also sad to see others leave. Trevor James, who started as a trustee in 2013, has been such a blessing on the Board and some of its committees. He has an accountancy background and is on various government advisory groups; so, was able to bring that knowledge and wisdom to help keep CGT on a good financial footing and keep the Board progressing on key strategic issues. He acted as Deputy Chairman and Chairman of the Finance Committee. Giles Arnold again, “He will be hard to replace and his sense of humour and clear thinking will be greatly missed. We wish him well on his well-earned retirement.”  

Seeking financial experience: Become a CGT Trustee   

CGT is looking for a committed Christian with an independent evangelical church background who has financial expertise that can help shape the future of the organisation. The trustee Board at CGT has changed over the years, with several of the original trustees retiring and new trustees coming on board. Recognising that a mixture of continuity and fresh blood is required with any Board, CGT is looking for new trustees who have a passion for its work.  

  

If you have a heart for giving and are interested in the vacancy, please contact Giles Arnold, Chief Executive for more details – giles.arnold@churchgrowth.org.uk