Barry Robinson, Regional Director Southern England and Pastor
Stratford, England, UK
In a post-Christian context, the Holy Spirit is moving in and through the Church’s neighbourhood engagement.
The 2021 census of England and Wales showed for the first time, less than half the population described themselves as Christian, with the “no religion” response gaining momentum. This may paint a gloomy picture, indicating that we are now living in a post-Christian environment, but we shouldn’t jump to the conclusion that those with “no religion”[1] are atheists. Recent research into that group found that only a few are militantly secular, and less than half considered themselves atheists. In my country (and probably yours too), many people have little or no experience of [2]Christianity but have not shut the door to God. This is an exciting context for mission that provides an opportunity to showcase Christianity in new and fresh ways.
God is missional. As the Father sent the Son, and they sent the Holy Spirit, so in turn the Church has been sent to participate in God’s redeeming and reconciling mission (John 20:21). Jesus lived with people where they were within their cultural context. He “moved into the neighborhood,” as Eugene Peterson put it (John1:14 MSG). A church must live in its neighbourhood to present Christianity incarnationally.
How then can a church in its incarnational mission live and share Christianity in new and fresh ways? The Holy Spirit is moving through the church’s neighbourhood engagement to reflect more relational and practical expressions of faith. In short, it takes Jesus’ command to “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39 NIV) to include “love your neighbourhood as yourself.”
Imagine if you loved your neighbourhood. How would that change the way you view the area where your church meets? It would mean that you want to spend time getting to know the community in a deeper way, and that you want to partner with it to help meet its needs and see it grow and flourish. In other words, to love it like Jesus loved people — unconditionally, based solely on the fact they are made in God’s image. A love that is only possible “because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit” (Romans 5:5 NIV).
Often in our post-Christian environment, people aren’t ready for a Saviour, but they are ready for a neighbour. It’s important for us to introduce people to what Jesus is like before we introduce them to Jesus. And as we love people like Jesus did and are a neighbour to them, the Spirit provides opportunities for us to point them to their Saviour.
Recently, two GCI congregations in the U.K. have intentionally moved location to be in their local neighbourhood and be the living expression of Jesus in their community.
Grace Communion West Hampstead, London, is located in a community centre on a housing estate and has been leading a Bible discussion group in a local care home. Several members have attended training sessions with the London City Mission, an organisation that helps churches engage with their local community. Sessions included “practical evangelism,” “reaching out to the community,” and “making gospel connections.” One of their missionaries accompanied members visiting the area around the church to establish local needs and offer prayer for people. Additionally, the community centre’s youth worker shared with the congregation her experiences of reaching and serving young people. Members have also been involved in local activities such as the opening of a new community garden and the community centre.
Grace Communion Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, has also moved into a local community centre, and two members are on the hall committee which organizes area community events. The congregation has booked a midweek slot at the hall to establish our presence as a Christian group and is considering how the time can be used to meet the needs of the community. Close links are being forged with Churches Together in Hemel Hempstead, an ecumenical organisation encouraging churches from various traditions to work together in unity. Most recently, the congregation joined in an ecumenical Maundy Thursday service, a Good Friday “walk of witness,” and will host a prayer breakfast. Future activities being considered are providing a speaker for local school assemblies, supporting the local food bank, and holding an Alpha course.
Ultimately, the effectiveness of neighbourhood engagement in a post-Christian context is contingent upon our attentiveness to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This involves prayerful discernment, openness to change, and a willingness to step out in faith. By listening to the Holy Spirit and responding to his promptings, our congregations can navigate the challenges and opportunities of their context with wisdom and grace. Please join us in that prayer.
[1] Religion, England and Wales – Office for National Statistics
