Faithworks Northampton Launch
| A number of events marked this special day for the Church in Northampton. | |
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 At lunchtime there was a special event for Ministers and Leaders of Christian Organisations at King’s Park Conference Centre. Steve Chalke had been invited to speak on the subject “Working with differing viewpoints for the common good”. This was an inspiring time where Steve explored how Christians from varying backgrounds and traditions needed to unite in working together to bless the local communities they find themselves in.Following lunch there was an opportunity for leaders of churches and Christian organisations to meet with staff from the National Faithworks movement. Here they were able to ask questions in order to hear more about the benefits to their local community and their organisations that would come by signing up to Faithworks.In the evening, we were pleased to host Steve Chalke as part of the Building TRUST tour. This took place at the newly refurbished New Testament Church of God in Northampton (formerly College Street Baptist Chapel)At this event, part of a national campaign from the Christian movement Faithworks, Steve Chalke spoke of how people who belong to local churches can rebuild trust by playing an active role in the community, and increasing the number and scale of the community projects they are involved in such as playgroups, drop-in centres, debt relief schemes and work with refugees and asylum seekers.With the issue of ‘trust’ set to be one of the main discussion points in the build-up to the General Election, Steve was encouraging churches in Northampton to demonstrate that they can be trusted to provide high-quality services for the community.
Churches were again encouraged to sign the Faithworks Charter, a set of standards for any Church or Christian project to adhere to as it serves the local area, and to join Faithworks Northampton. The Faithworks Charter includes principles such as “serving all people unconditionally” and “never imposing our Christian faith on others.” The evening ended with by people making a response and signing up to Faithworks Northampton as either individuals or organisations. Steve then prayed for all the responses made, and the start of Faithworks Northampton. |