The previous Baptists Together magazine focused on baptism, and during the creating of that edition our annual returns revealed the number of baptisms across our churches to be at the highest level in a decade. April also saw the publication of Bible Society’s ‘Quiet Revival’ research, which suggested a national increase in church going. 

While not the case for every church, these are encouraging trends: more baptisms, more people turning up at our churches, more interest in Christianity generally. 

As the Editorial Group met to plan this latest edition in the wake of these findings, we were drawn to questions around church. What are we inviting people into? At a time when we are told more people (and particularly young people) are searching for meaning and direction in a fractured world, what are we offering?  

This edition therefore seeks to explore responses to those ponderings, perhaps encapsulated in the question ‘Why gather?’ It is an almost back-to-basics look at why we do what we do. 

Naturally this is a journey that takes in the early church in the book of Acts, as well as the early Baptists. There’s a perspective too from a psychologist, who explains how nurturing positive character traits in congregations has ripple effects throughout wider communities.   

Elsewhere we dip into the ‘Quiet Revival’ research, to remind us what it said, and what people have said about it. With the report’s key finding focusing on Gen Z, we’ve also spoken to Baptist leaders in that age group to share their reflections on what younger people are looking for and how, as churches, we can respond and prepare. 

Our collection of local church stories shows the different understandings and practices of gathering. And while they naturally vary, noticeably all have a similar DNA - the idea of gathering, growing in faith - and then going. 

In their gathering, our churches are compelled by love to both welcome in those who are searching, and go outside in mission. It was ever thus. ‘In that gathering’, writes historian and theologian Ruth Gouldbourne of the earliest Baptists, ‘the presence of the Lord was encountered and so faith was shaped and nurtured, discipleship was explored, and witness to the truth of God’s action in the world was expressed.’ 

May you grow in faith, depth and understanding in your gathering – and may you help others discover Jesus through it. 

The main articles in the magazine are featured below: