After prayer and scripture (John 6 v1-15), there was an opportunity to talk and pray in break out groups. Networking is always a feature of SCC events. There were two themes to the day, each with an excellent speaker.

Back to Church – how to rebuild?

Simon Goddard encouraged us all to not rush back to ‘normal’ or do new things but to rest and reflect over the last year.

He suggested we ask some searching questions like:

What losses and opportunities have there been? What has accelerated during lockdown? What creativity and innovation have you seen in mission? Will we rebuild or reset? Will rebuilding what was there before, be sufficient for what lies ahead?  

He outlined some lessons learned over the last year and reflected on Biblical Discipleship from 1 Thessalonians 1 v5-7  

Simon gave us 3 tools to consider:

1.   As you reflect ask WHY, then HOW thenWHAT, in that order

2.   Taking a S.H.A.P.E. Inventory of people in your church  

Spiritual Gifts

‍Heart

‍Abilities

‍Passion

‍Experience

3.   The Season Assessment - For each activity that may be restarting, consider which season it was in.

How to reach our hurting communities

Ruth Rice shared her life experience and the creation of ‘Renew Wellbeing’. These are simple, safe and sustainable places where it’s OK not to be OK.

Renew Wellbeing is really a prayer movement with activities.

1.     Prayer - A quiet space and punctuate social time with regular prayer slots across your session. Invite people to join for prayer but no pressure.

2.     Be Present - Be there, turn up on time. Chat and journey with people as they talk whilst doing their hobbies, or learning a new one. The church needs wellbeing as much as the general population and they can then ivite a friend.

3.     Be in Partnership - Partner with the local authority mental health groups. They are delighted that the church can give low level but a regular point of contact

As1 in 4 people in UK have a mental health issue, Ruth wanted to share the Shalom of God with them through her own painful experience.

Check out the Renew Wellbeing website  

Responses to the day:

“Thanks for today. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I was thinking to myself 4 hours of webinar is going to be so slow. It was wonderful. Well organized and great speakers”

“What an amazing time!  We are buzzing”.