Logo

 

Banner Image:   Baptist-Times-banner-2000x370-
Template Mode:   Baptist Times
Icon
    Post     Tweet


“They recognise authenticity, passion, life, grace, and positivity” 
 

theBarn is a newish Baptist church in the rural village of Bidford. Around 45 young adults are engaged in Sunday church, and are part of a balanced overall age range across the congregation

theBarn2card

theBarn is a newish Baptist church in the rural village of Bidford between Stratford and Evesham in the Heart of England Baptist Association. Formed around 15 years ago as Bidford-on-Avon Baptist Church, it changed its name when it moved into a building that used to house a soft play facility called Bungo’s Barn.

“We felt our original name was too much of a mouthful,” explains pastor Jamie Cox. “We’d been prophesised over before coming, and given a word about 'a barn and the harvest'; we’d also thought how the building is a shell, with the people the church, and a barn fitted that; for all these reasons theBarn has just stuck.” 

Around 45 young adults are engaged in Sunday church at theBarn, and are part of a balanced overall age-range theBarn003spread across the church. Just under half are the children of adults in the congregation. There was a good nucleus of 18-21 year olds when Jamie arrived 10 years ago. “We asked them what they wanted, thinking the answer would be pizzas and bowling nights out,” explains Jamie. “But the answer was fuel – full Bible studies, and that’s always been the case.” 

Jamie explains there’s a balance between word and spirit: he preaches for 40 minutes (“it’s challenging, and word-based”), but there’s also a desire to be open to the Spirit, and there’s space for that. 

The 18-30s in the church also appreciate home groups, he continues, “They’re not just interested in social activity, but really do want to press into things of God in home group. They’ve always been spiritually switched on.” The church has always had a 20somethings group, he adds, explaining that this age group tends to flock together, “so you have to cater provide something for them if they’re there, otherwise they’ll probably go to the city church that does.” The church seeks ways to put young people in positions of responsibility or leadership, and has in the past done some young leaders training and identification. 

The young adults want a place where they can confidently bring their friends, he continues. In this respect it may help that the building in which the church meets is modern – it doesn’t have the iconography of a more traditional church, such as stained glass windows; but more of a “contemporary” and positive” feel. 

Ultimately this age group is attracted to a "healthy" church. “They recognise authenticity, passion, life, grace, and "positivity,” says Jamie.  

“But I suspect that some of the reasons church works for 18-30s will be similar to the older members. They are attracted to life, Word and Spirit.”  

The church also runs three ‘Stay and Play’ sessions each week in the main church hall, and has begun to build relationships with numerous families in the ‘young adult’ bracket. Jamie says: “They seem to like the atmosphere, the warm welcome and the larger sense of community. From there they can feed into our Messy Church style events and, hopefully, in the fullness of time, into wider church life.”

theBarn1

This article appears in the Summer 2020 edition of Baptists Together magazine, which explores reaching and raising young adults


Images | theBarn 


 

Baptist Times, 29/04/2020
    Post     Tweet
HEBA Home Mission Stories
Examples of how Home Mission funds are being used in the Heart of England Baptist Association
SubArticleD2019
'A sensitive mix of teaching, reflecting and challenge'
Disciple-making and the character of the young David were explored at two recent small church hub gatherings
‘I went home feeling refreshed and hopeful for our church’s future’
The latest Small Church Connexion hub was planted at an event wonderfully hosted by Perry Beeches Baptist Church, North Birmingham
'Making the word of God and the Christian message available to its local community'
A Birmingham Baptist church is bringing people together in its busy high street coffee shop, thanks to a grant from Baptist Insurance
Spreading the message of peace in Rugby 
Since 2004 the garden at Rugby Baptist Church has been a haven of peace in Rugby town centre. Now it is home to the first ‘Peace Pole’ in the town – a pole inscribed with the message "May Peace Prevail on Earth'' in several languages
From silver to gold 
How Fernhill Heath Baptist Church continued its Eco Church journey and became the second Baptist church to achieve the gold award
Baptist minister's Park Run challenge for the BSL Bible Translation Project 
Baptist minister the Revd Susan Myatt aims to raise £1500 for the BSL Bible Translation Project, which will provide 'an invaluable, long-awaited resource' to the Deaf Community and the wider church
     Regional News 
    Posted: 01/03/2023
    Posted: 12/11/2021
    Posted: 06/10/2021
    Posted: 27/08/2021
    Posted: 12/01/2021
    Posted: 02/12/2020
    Posted: 12/07/2019
    Posted: 15/01/2019
    Posted: 22/10/2018
    Posted: 19/09/2018