National news stories in 2023

'I share this honour with all the amazing people who have welcomed refugees this year'

Baptist Dr Krish Kandiah was awarded an OBE for services to refugee integration in the New Year's Honours list

A series of conversations about shaping an online Baptist missional community. By Simon Goddard and Nathan McGuire

Simple lessons and inspiring stories of church growth

Introducing the new book from Firestarters Network "On This Rock: Simple lessons and achievable habits for church growth", which shares principles of growing Baptist churches, as well as their stories

A Baptist reading group to mark 20th anniversary of key Paul Fiddes book

A monthly reading group focused on Paul Fiddes' Tracks and Traces: Baptist Identity in Church and Theology, once described as a book 'no-one can afford to ignore', will launch next month. Andy Goodliff explains more

'Adopt an ethical immigration programme that treats people fairly'

The call to British and Irish governments came from the Churches’ Refugee Network (CRN), which consists of a growing number of British and Irish church-related organisations who share a commitment to support and advocate for refugees

‘Wonderfully, consistently, yet quietly encouraging and supporting’

Tributes have been paid to former Baptist Union treasurer David Nixon, who died in January

'We are keen to encourage church editors everywhere'

Does your church publish a magazine? The Association for Church Editors is launching its next awards to celebrate and recognise the work of church magazine editors and their editorial teams

Peter Morden to be next Bristol Baptist College Principal

The Revd Dr Peter Morden has been offered the role of Principal of Bristol Baptist College commencing with the new academic year 2023/4

Ramping up church disability inclusion

With a generous grant from Benefact Trust, disability inclusion charity Through the Roof is ramping up its ‘Roofbreaker’ project to triple the support for disabled people in UK churches

'Satellites was a brilliant festival designed with youth groups in mind'

Teenagers in Baptist churches are being encouraged to consider being a part of next summer's Satellites event

New evangelism resource for Easter from the 123GO! initiative

A new handbook and study guide to help churches prepare to 123GO! in 2023 has launched

New Lent devotional aims to re-ignite Christian confidence

The Confidence Devotional Journey from the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity (LICC) is designed to help Christians 'build confidence to boldly live out their faith in daily life'

'Implement policies that help, rather than hinder, Black and Brown communities'

That was the message from the Racial Justice Advocacy Forum to the British Government at its launch on 15 February

Mission is…. The Baptist Assembly 2023

The Baptist Assembly returns to the Telford International Centre in 2023. Held at the same venue in 2019, this year's event takes place from Friday 16 to Sunday 18 June

All change at Hope Into Action

Jon Kuhrt joins as CEO, founder Ed Walker becomes the charity’s ambassador and former Baptists Together president Dianne Tidball becomes chair of trustees

An audience with The King

General Secretary Lynn Green was part of a delegation to present a Loyal Address to King Charles III

The National Parenting Initiative future in doubt

The National Parenting Initiative, a UK charity with a vision to see churches support and empower families in their community has announced that they will come to an end in early summer without significant funding being found

Baptist Union Council: March 2023

A report from Baptist Union Council, which took place 21-22 March at the Hayes Conference Centre in Swanwick, Derbyshire

Churches' petition opposing Illegal Migration Bill submitted to 10 Downing Street

A JPIT statement expressing opposition to the Government's Illegal Migration Bill and signed by more than 1400 church leaders was delivered on Tuesday 4 April

Baptist Union Presidency for Steve Finamore

Baptists have discerned that Steve Finamore will serve as our President in 2024-2025

New series of videos marks 30th anniversary of Stephen Lawrence’s murder

Christian Aid and Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI) have brought together Christian thinkers and theologians to discuss the legacy of Stephen Lawrence’s racist killing, and the current state of race-relations in church and society

Growing number of Small Church Hubs

Hubs enable smaller Baptist churches to meet for training, resourcing and general encouragement. Several are now in existence, and there is a meeting in April for anyone wanting to find out more. An update from Hilary Taylor

Interested in the theology of earth and space?

Mystery and Mission is the title of Baptist Theology North, which is holding its 12th annual event on 9 June in Huddersfield

'Seeing the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living'

A garden based on Psalm 27 and sponsored by Bible Society will feature at the RHS Young Designer of the Year competition at the RHS Flower Show Tatton Park in July

Gambling reform: 'welcome changes but delay and missed opportunities'

The Baptist Union of Great Britain, the Church of Scotland, the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church have provided the following response to the publication on 27 April of the UK Government’s Gambling White Paper

Stipend set for 2024

The increase in standard stipend for 2024 has been set at £28,600, which is 7.92 per cent above the 2023 figure of £26,500

'It reflects our commitment to every person we house'

Homeless social enterprise Green Pastures transforms image to bring attention to issue of homelessness

‘An important way to serve our church family and the wider community’

Screenings, street parties, fun days, volunteering - Baptist churches engaged in a range of activities in their communities over the Coronation weekend

Spurgeon’s College welcomes Pastor Rick Warren as its first honorary Chancellor

Spurgeon’s College has jointly announced with the Revd Dr Rick Warren his installation as its first honorary Chancellor

Supporting young adults in your church

Pastoral reflections from the Baptists Together Children, Young People and Families (CYF) Round Table

Encouraging reports at Baptist Historical Society AGM

Significant rise in online engagement with articles in the Baptist Quarterly; 'superb' lecture from The Revd Prof. Paul Fiddes on Sam Sharpe

'It’s very valuable to prepare when everything’s calm'

A crisis communications course for church leaders is being made available for free - and one Baptist minister explains how helpful it has been in considering potential issues

Could you be part of the next Baptist 5Q cohort?

In partnership with Catalyse Change and RiverTree, Fresh Streams is inviting ministers to be part of the fourth Baptist 5Q cohort starting in September

'Honouring the legacy of the Windrush generation'

A series of events to mark the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the Empire Windrush at Tilbury Docks have been organised, including a service and walk of witness

Navigating earth and space

Keynote speakers explored the boundaries of science and faith alongside a wide range of short papers during a fascinating day at the latest Baptist Theology North

MBE for charity CEO and co-founder Carwyn Hill

Carwyn co-founded HHA in 2007 after learning of Haiti's needs at the Baptist World Congress two years previously. The charity has also worked alongside Baptist communities in northern Uganda and South Sudan

Sharing Christ’s Great Banquet - Tim Presswood inducted as President

New President Tim Presswood introduced his theme in the form of a powerful and challenging poem at the Baptist Assembly

'Dig deep and rediscover all that God has had for you as a movement'

Baptists have an ‘incredible legacy’ and particular distinctives that will serve the denomination moving forward, said Mike Royal, General Secretary of Churches Together in England

Induction of President, standing ovation for treasurer, reflections - BUGB session

The BUGB session took place on Saturday afternoon, and included the induction of new President Tim Presswood, reflections from both Hayley Young and General Secretary Lynn Green, and a financial report from outgoing treasurer John Levick

'Recognising hard work, sacrifice and seeking God'

Those who had transferred as Fully Accredited Ministers, Pastors, Preachers and Mission Personnel during the past year were welcomed, commissioned and prayed for in a 'powerful' and 'precious' celebration service on Saturday night at the Baptist Assembly

Great Commission: one passage, four voices

The theme of the 2023 Baptist Assembly was Mission Is... – and four short Bible studies focusing on Matthew 28:16-20 were shared and discussed on Saturday morning

'Christ is with us' - General Secretary's message

'God is at work in wonderful ways in and through Baptists Together – let’s not lose sight of that in the face of our challenges.' So said General Secretary Lynn Green as she shared reflections during the BUGB session on Saturday afternoon

'Listening, learning, knowing, hearing and respecting'

Hayley Young shared joys and challenges as she reflected on her year as President and its theme of 'Building a Bigger Table'

Finding their voice - youth stream at the Baptist Assembly

Young people explored how they find their voice, their anointing and what building the Kingdom of God might mean in their context through a series of creative sessions at the 2023 Baptist Assembly

‘Mission is done together’ – Mike Royal

The Baptist Assembly closed with an appeal for unity from Mike Royal, General Secretary of Churches Together in England (CTE)

Small Church Connexion at the Baptist Assembly

There were many conversations about delegates' smaller churches and how to encourage and resource each other more effectively, writes Hilary Taylor

'I hope our churches will be encouraged to see God at work in this massive global exercise'

A potential impact of the Revd Dr Rick Warren's appointment as Chancellor of Spurgeon's College for British Baptists is a renewed focus on the evangelisation of the world

'An important grassroots account of cross cultural mission'

The Baptist Historical Society, in co-operation with BMS World Mission, has published a new book entitled Mission not Impossible: Baptist Missionaries' Experiences and Reflections

From WebNet to Faith in Later Life

Christian charity Faith in Later Life has announced the appointment of a new Lead Officer, Alexandra Drew, to take forward its work to inspire and equip Christians to reach, serve and empower older people in every community, through the local church

New print run for Firestarters' On this Rock

On this Rock looks at repeatable traits of growth that all churches could embrace. After selling out its initial print run, it has been revised and updated

Baptist youth groups connect at Satellites

Connections between Baptist youth groups up and down the country were developed at this year's Satellites festival

Mental health charity offers grants to ‘be alongside’

New grant scheme offers seedcorn funding for local befriending and drop-in projects run by churches and other organisations

'So many young leaders... and their passion for Jesus was incredible'

Young Baptist leaders have been reflecting on the impact of participating in a global mission summit organised by the European Baptist Federation

Supporting autistic individuals in our churches

A new video to help churches learn how to create a more inclusive environment for autistic people has been released by the Christian disability charity Through the Roof

Just what is it that you want to plant?

Church planting was a key theme at the July 2023 meeting of the Baptists Together Mission Forum, writes Sandra Crawford

People missing out on billions of pounds in unclaimed benefits - CAP

UK debt and budgeting help charity Christians Against Poverty (CAP) says more than £90 million of unclaimed income has been found in the year it launched a free benefits calculator on its website

'Reverse precipitous decline in UK wildlife'

Christian environment charity A Rocha UK calls on the Government to reverse 'damaging farming policies and take much faster action on climate change' after a new report reveals worsening damage to nature

Nationwide Christmas campaign ‘Shine Your Light’ launched

‘Shine Your Light’ calls Christians to unite in towns, villages and cities this Christmas to take the message outdoors

Baptist Union Council: October 2023

Key items included an update to our Financial Model Review, an in-principle vote on whether to welcome the St Hild Centre for Baptist Ministry as a College member of the Baptist Union of Great Britain, and an update from Project Violet

Discernment focus for Theology Live

Theology Live on 19 January will take the time to reflect on how we discern, so central to our being Baptist, and the theology that gives it meaning and weight, organisers say

'The challenge is a big one, but small is special'

Notes from a recent Baptist Union Smaller Church online gathering, which featured representatives from several Associations

Covid 19 faith sector impact research to be shared

A Baptist scholar presents the findings of research into the impact of Covid 19 on the UK faith sector in an onsite and online seminar on Thursday (9 November)

'We want to encourage each church to fulfil its unique calling in their community'

The Small Church Connexion is celebrating the first year of planting small church hubs around the UK, totalling 12 in all, from Leicestershire to Devon, writes Hilary Taylor

Chinese Church ‘fastest-growing in the UK’

Boosted by people emigrating from Hong Kong, the Chinese Church is now the fastest-growing Church in the UK, according to a new report from Bible Society

Exploring intercultural church and mission - and collaboration

Osoba Otaigbe introduces the Intercultural Church and City Transformation Gathering, an event in January that brings together Christians to foster unity and empower the Church to make a lasting impact for Christ

New BSL carol service ‘a perfect opportunity for ecumenical unity’

In a new ecumenical collaboration, the Baptist Union of Great Britain will join four major UK Christian denominations to simultaneously broadcast a Christmas carol service led by Deaf Christians in British Sign Language (BSL)

New book with new questions about Baptist identity

Voicing New Questions for Baptist Identity covers topics such as the church meeting, the Lord’s Supper, ministry, covenant, and dissent, exploring them from the perspective of race, gender, culture, disability, sexuality and nationality

Baptist artists together

Introducing Pilgrimage, a gathering of Baptist artists keen to develop a community where art and faith can explore and express the Gospel

'Reach outside of your comfort zone and start with one'

London City Mission (LCM) has launched a new evangelism resource hub and podcast as revealing research highlights key opportunities for Christians to bridge gaps and share the gospel

Thousands register for Shine Your Light Christmas campaign

More than 42,000 Christians representing 360 churches have signed up to take part in the nationwide Christmas campaign Shine Your Light, which calls Christians to take the message of Jesus outdoors

COP 28: 'some progress - but much to do'

Christian organisations have shared a mixed response to the latest United Nations climate conference, which closed in Dubai on Wednesday (13 December)