News Library
Ten trusteeships this year
Day 10 - 'Ten trusteeships this year'
In 2023, Church Growth Trust was gifted or appointed as sole trustee for a diverse range of properties and trusteeships. Each one is unique presenting its own challenges and opportunities. Here is a snapshot of 2023.
Tyndale Baptist Chapel, Chipping Sodbury (owned) Despite its unique and somewhat remote location in the middle of a common, we were able to generate interest from two groups. Eventually, “The Shepherd’s Hut Ministries” began using the chapel, focusing on work particularly among men, after graciously being given the opportunity.
International Gospel Church, Edgware (sole trustee) – This impressive structure, once the home church of John Laing, consists of three interconnected buildings. With vast spaces ideal for community events, including a kitchen for hosting cooking classes. Plans are also underway for a scheme to improve access for people with disabilities.
Chorley Gospel Hall (owned) – As the original Brethren assembly closed, it was important that we found a way to ensure the building could continue its Gospel use. As it was originally for Brethren use only, we obtained approval from the Charity Commission to broaden the trusts to allow another evangelical church to use the building.
Providence Baptist Church, Westbury (sole trustee) – Originally one of the Fellowship Property Trust (FPT) trusteeships, CGT assumed responsibilities as trustee for this prominent 19th-century chapel. We provided guidance on infrastructural concerns such as asbestos and heating systems.
Atworth Independent Church (sole trustee) – Also originally an FPT Trusteeship. Despite complexities involving the Charity Commission, we have been actively involved in addressing structural issues and even supporting the team in leading a church weekend.
Needham Market Evangelical Church (owned) – A thorough survey identified pressing roofing issues, relating to deteriorating asbestos. This led to prompt repairs and maintenance arranged by the church.
Walberton Baptist Church, Arundel (sole trustee) – The church has kept the two properties (a chapel and a hall) in good condition over the years, having recently carried out works to improve access for people with disabilities. They also sought our guidance on Building Regulations, a much-needed asbestos survey and a management plan.
Old City Hall, West Mersea (sole trustee) – This small fellowship punches well above its weight and has a very popular men’s breakfast and other activities during the week. They asked Church Growth Trust to take on the trusteeship to assist with their building project, to transform the small wooden building making it suitable for their Gospel outreach on the island.
West Worthing Evangelical Church, Worthing – (sole trustee) – Also originating from FPT, this small and very competent fellowship had kept on top of the legal requirements of running the church and building. Several retired leaders were also on hand offering spiritual maturity. However, the church had not seen much growth in the last few years. CGT collaborated closely with the team to help them with trusteeship in case there is a need to find other churches to work with them or to manage any future closure.
East Dean Free Church, Chichester (sole trustee) An intriguing chapel constructed on natural springs (water, not coils!), designed to let the water flow away. The fellowship, centered around a local farming family, is currently small but optimistic about expansion. We’re aiding them in handling practical matters and urging them to explore the Church Revitalisation Project in partnership with CGT.
Our hopes for the future
Christmas bloopers
Day 12 -
As we draw to a close our 12 days of Gospel Giving celebrations, we wanted to share some of the fun moments we had along the way! We hope you enjoy watching them! Merry Christmas from the whole team at Church Growth Trust .
Exciting news – CGT is now on Facebook!
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
Recycling at Christmas
Christmas is a time of giving and receiving and for some, indulging in eating, drinking and spending! So much at Christmas is used just once leading to huge amounts of waste being produced in just one day.
The good news is that most of this packaging can be recycled – even your Christmas tree. If we actively get involved it means less waste going to landfill sites, reduces the demand for virgin materials worldwide and protects our environment.
When we recycle, we reduce water and air pollution as there is no need to extract, refine or process raw materials. We also save energy which in turn reduces greenhouse gases and helps to combat climate change. Let us give the planet the greatest gift this Christmas by reducing our waste and increasing our recycling.
We have collated everything you need to help you recycle, reduce and reuse over Christmas in our recently updated briefing paper.
Related:
School uniform recycling project making a difference in Chadwell St Mary
Preparing for Christmas events: Practical planning for a welcoming and safe season
Preparing for Christmas 2021 by sharing what we have heard
Christmas should be accessible to all
Ten tips for making your building more environmentally friendly
Are you getting ready for Christmas? – October 2018
Church ministry flourishes in Walsall: A testament of faith and service
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.”
Related:
Solution to gift us the church building in Hastings. FRESH gospel ministry ahead – November 2018
Rebooting children’s ministry: Building a safe and supportive start
Jesus is Lord church expand ministry and outreach in Rhyl – March 2019
Discovery Church planting in Gospel Hall – January 2021
Shining for Jesus in Swindon: Welcoming Shine Pinehurst Church
Faith is rewarded by a faithful God: A new building project in East Cowes
Church Revitalisation Project – get the updated booklet
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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.
Christmas countdown – practical tips for church event planning
The holiday season is a time of joy and celebration for Christian communities all around the world. For independent evangelical churches, planning Christmas events is a significant undertaking, and careful consideration is essential to ensure that the festivities run smoothly and safely.
In this guide, we provide you with top tips for planning your Christmas events, focusing on the key considerations around your building.
Reviewing Fire Risk Assessments – If your Christmas event involves hosting larger numbers than usual, reviewing your fire risk assessments is crucial. Double-check that all your certificates and safety measures are in place. Ensure that everyone knows how to exit the building in case of an emergency, especially when using candles in services such as Christingle. Also, arrange for appliances and boilers to be checked in the autumn ready for Christmas.
Provide guidance for newcomers – People who are new to a meeting may feel uncertain about the proceedings, making it essential to provide clear guidance from the start. Information regarding when to stand, sit, toilet locations, and what to do at the end of the meeting all contribute to the seamless flow of the event.
First aid preparation – Check your first aid kit to ensure it is complete and up to date. Identify who your designated first aiders are and evaluate whether you need one on-site for larger events. Safety should always be a top priority.
Health and safety – There are many things that you can and should do to keep people safe. All churches, places of worship and their associated activities are different, and what works well for one will not be the same for all. The Safer Places of Worship website provides a good introduction to the most important parts of health and safety legislation – Health & safety obligations – Safer Places of Worship (spow.co.uk)
Accessibility audit –To welcome all members of your community, conduct an accessibility audit. This ensures that your building is accessible to everyone, including those with mobility challenges. Ensure that entrances and exits are accessible and consider the use of ramps or other accommodations.
Insurance – It is important to contact your insurance provider if you are planning an event that could be classified as safety-critical or hazardous. They will advise whether there is enough liability cover in place.
Food and drink safety – If your event includes serving hot food and drinks, pay close attention to food safety and hygiene. Make sure your team follows proper food handling procedures, and if applicable, obtain the necessary permits Church Growth Trust has recently updated its briefing paper on this subject – click here to download it.
Traffic and parking management – Plan for the flow of traffic and parking, especially for larger gatherings. Ensure there is sufficient access for emergencies and consider overflow parking options to minimise disruptions to your neighbours.
Be prepared for the weather! – It is important to be ready for adverse weather conditions. Have salt available for clearing paths and ensure that outside lights are working to prevent accidents. Double-check that all your certificates and safety measures are in place. Check your entrance and exit paths broken slabs and uneven paths, to minimise the risks of falls.
Related:
Preparing for Christmas events: Practical planning for a welcoming and safe season
Ten top tips for church summer events
Are you getting ready for Christmas? – October 2018
Christmas at Christ Church – January 2021
Fire Risk Assessments for church buildings – what you need to know
Time for review – Back to church compliance check
‘Living the Passion’ 25-27 October 2024 – Register your interest
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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:
- 25th – 27th 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.
Out now – Foundations Magazine autumn edition
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.
