Tim Haughton

My plan had been to be incognito…

At all the other fresh expressions I had approached people with interest and questions…

This time my plan had been to just enter as if this was my first time there and see what happened…

I arrived in the Northern Quarter of Manchester just before lunch. As I roamed the streets trying to find my way to Nexus café I took in my surroundings. The streets were crowded with 18 – 35 year olds, sporting vintage clothing, piercings, tattoos and dread locks – their bodies the expressions of their art. I stuck out like a sore thumb…

I guess I can’t be all that incognito…

Passing the vinyl exchange, porn shops, and environmentally friendly shops – I found the entrance to Nexus on Dale street – an art display entitled “she laughs” adorned the front window and walls as I descended the stairway. A pleasant server greeted me and took my coffee order, and I settled into the black leather coach at the rear of the cafe as my vantage point for observation.

Nexus had started out as a Methodist church outreach to the club crowd on Saturday evenings. Open until 5am, the café was a safe place for clubbers to grab a cup of coffee and wait for a cab. One particular evening a local artist had stumbled into the café and was inspired. This would be the perfect place to display the art of the community – the money was raised – and Nexus – ‘art café’ was born.

I scanned my surroundings trying to find any evidence of the Christian roots that had begun this place – or of the emergent Christian community Sanctus 1 that met here on Wednesday evenings – but found none –

Only two things stood out to me – first – that this café was completely contextualized for the Northern Quarter surroundings – and second – the server was the most friendly I had met since being in the U.K.

I now had 1 more question to add to my list for Ben Edson – pioneer leader for Sanctus 1 and now an ordained Anglican priest – was the absence of any identifiable Christian link a conscious one?

Ben and I are now sitting down for coffee – a PK – Ben had been a part of the Manchester Music scene and coming back to minister to 18 – >35 – left of center – art types was for him a ‘coming home’. Ben was brought back to faith by the Lee Abbey community – was evangelized not by individuals – but by community and has sought to create the same feel in Sanctus. His desire was to facilitate a community where Christian’s could be discipled in a setting accessible to those exploring faith. “We are Christians” he says “but we don’t need to have it all sown up”. A handful of people in their community don’t believe in God, and yet have aspirations to believe in God. Sanctus, for them, has become a safe place to begin that journey.

Manchester’s city center has had a residential boom of late from 1000 in 1991 to 20 000 in 2006 mainly in high rise single residence flats – “lonliness is a real issue” – say’s Ben – so we have used our virtual presence and creativity to build community where before there was none.

One of my main questions coming out of my incognito observation was to do with the lack of any identifiable Christian presence at Nexus. Was this conscious? I ask. “No” – he says, there are supposed to be posters in the bathrooms and cards on the tables. Ben further explains that he is presently moving to a different ministry – and his passing off of leadership – has understandably left some things lost in the shuffle.

So what is the connection from Sanctus 1 to Nexus? Twice a month Sanctus gives direction to the creative displays at Nexus to connect others to the Christian community. Ben has seen his role as chaplain to Nexus – attending the various art events hosted in the café – and now even visiting one of the unchurched staff in hospital.

Just as Ben is in transition – so is Santus. What began as an outreach to the neighbourhood has become a commuter church for those outside the community – and as original members grow – they now have to ask questions of how to care for children in their midst. These questions will be left to Al – to whom the mantle of leadership will be presently passed.

As it’s Wednesday – at 7:30pm the café will be transformed into an emergent fresh expression of church. I duck out to grab some dinner – descend the same stairs – and am met with crisp Sanctus posters in the “loo” and glossy cards on the table – I am greeted warmly by the barista – and offered a free cup of coffee (given that it is my first time). After some small talk with we are called to find our seats…

The leadership of the evenings is shared amongst the members – and tonight – we are led in a ‘fresh expression of speed dating’ – Every three minutes we found another ‘date’ – and projected on the screen were questions or activities to participate in.

Cliff Richard or James Blunt?

Tell the person opposite you something important to you. Either pray or write words down on a sheet of paper.

Which of these is most important to you? Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace, Everlasting Father…

Woman priests and gay Bishops?

Tell the other person one thing you have done that wasn’t right this week.

The word commune appears on the screen – and we are instructed to grab a piece of bread and a cup of juice – no further instructions are given – and my “date” doesn’t know what to do – so we just talk while we each eat our part of the bread.

I have now “dated” everyone in the room…the evening concludes as every evening at Sanctus does – beer at the local pub – I have a four hour drive to London to complete – and am fearful I will fall asleep if I have a beer – Ben – not feeling well joins me as I will pass right by his house on the way to the Motorway.

I drop Ben off at home – and am left with my thoughts – was what I experienced church? Well…we prayed…we had communion?…we confessed…we reflected on God’s word…we grew as a community.

What are the marks of church?

“Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am in their midst”

As I reflected on my “dates” – two themes had begun to arise – those who were present were either searching out a faith for themselves, or had come from communities that had faith all sown up – and had now found a safe place to explore what faith looked like for them.

Evangelism through community – Ben had called it – but I was wondering how I was going to explain my evening of speed dating to my wife…

Sitting in Allen’s living room – I kept thinking of Nehemiah. Returning from captivity in Babylonia – back to Israel – first rebuilding the walls – then rebuilding the faith of a nation.

A year ago this had been a dilapidated – water damaged – boarded up manse.

Ebenezer church had been abandoned five years ago when the foundations of the church began to crumble and the existing congregation could not afford the 29 000 pound bill to repair their church.

With the aid of probationary workers – Allen (a part time minister) repaired the manse – and removed the overgrowth from the vacant lot adjoining the church.

– first rebuilding the walls…

…Killamarsh is a town of 10 000 south of Sheffield along the M1 – of those 10 000 inhabitants only 1% attend church – 100 people scattered through 3 churches –

“the harvest is great but where are the workers?”

Allen’s wife – who is often on short term missions inspired three others to join them in their work and soon those five turned into 22 adults within a year – meeting on Saturday in the living room of the manse for a service followed by a community dinner

– having quickly outgrown the living room they moved down to the church – after the work of the probationary workers had given them a workable worship space.

Admittedly a majority of the members of this new community are also attending the other churches, but some 30% of the community were previously unchurched – many of whom have now come to faith in Jesus.

One of the original members – Eileen – who joined us in our living room conversation – jumps up to grab a phone call. When we first met her she was in the small church kitchen washing toys for the new mom and tot’s group. She returns to the conversation joy written large on her face – another member for her group – GROW – ministering to those dealing with mental health issues.

With plans for a second Alpha course – and a new social justice outreach into the community – Allen and his team are looking to rebuild the faith of a town one life at a time.

From my perch at The Falcon – the longest continuous pub in the U.K. – it’s easy to see that Chester is a tourist town. The children yelling – left, right – left right – as they follow a tour guide dressed as a Roman Legionnaire – the tourists bustling between shops – snapping pictures of everything in sight in this Roman – Medieval – Tudor town.

I had been here a year ago – as a tourist myself – and had literally fallen into a fresh expression of church at Wesley Methodist Church conveniently located between the Roman Ruins and the center of town. A Café aimed to connect to local residents – stay at home mom’s – and tourists – manned by a retired Methodist minister from Canada (of all places) named George.

Today I am in Chester as a different kind of tourist – to see a year later how this fresh expression of church is faring – a longitudinal study.

As I round the corner Wesley Methodist Church is covered in Scaffolding – plastered with artists renditions of the final product. The church is closed. That was a quick longitudinal study…

A coffee cup and arrow catches my eye – pointing me two buildings up to the Welsh church. Another coffee cup above the church welcomes me through the door. There sitting at the welcome table is my old friend George – with only a few quick exchanges he remembers my name – along with my questions last time I came in – asking how my wife and son are doing…he has a gift.

This time I have more questions – so after his quick tour of the Welsh church – he takes me upstairs to see the relocated Café – and we sit down for a cup of coffee.

As we engage in conversation a continuous stream of people come through the doors – Mom’s with Kids, Grandma’s and kids, office workers and seniors. George seems to know every one of them – constantly leaving our conversation to acknowledge them by name with a few brief exchanges.

Turning back to me he says…

That’s ‘Alice’ she’s an Athiest – still working on her…

That’s ‘Nick’ he’s an alcoholic – this place has kept him sober – each day he checks in– and writes his prayers in the prayer request book at the door.

That’s….and the conversation continues.

Sporting a dog-collar – George describes his role as the ‘chaplain for the street’ – even praying in the pub for the manager’s family life.

What do you do here? – I ask. “I pray with people and lead them to Christ” – as quickly as if I had asked him what he had for breakfast.

In his retirement the Café has become his ministry – he along with a team from Wesley Methodist church run the café. When I asked a member of the team why they continued during the construction – which only would have been a mere 12 weeks – she gave me an odd look saying – ‘we couldn’t give up on the relationships’ – and then with a smile – ‘and it keeps us out of trouble’.

Why do people come here?

The peace – responds George – every other café in the city you would feel quickly rushed out of – so the next person can line the cash register with their hard earned money. Here Mom’s can bring in their own food – feed their babies – socialize – and spend time in community – the play area had been empty when I arrived – now two babies where playing together while Mom’s looked on…

As I bend down to grab my Camera to get a picture of George with the café in the back ground for the blog – my eye catches the Alpha sign – each table’s center piece is a card inviting them to the next ecumenical Alpha course

…come for a leisurely cup of coffee leave with ‘something more to life’…

As I make my way back downstairs – I spend some time speaking with the ladies attending the fair trade store – as the conversation moves to why I have so many questions – I speak a bit about my pilgrimage to see fresh expressions…

“Oh”…their eyes light up…”you should check out St. Peter’s at the center of town – they have been doing this for over twenty years…”

That’s worth a visit I thought – a Roman Catholic Fresh Expression…

A quick walk gets me to St. Peters – the location of the Towne Crier – through the door – café tables have replaced 80% of the pews – almost all full of people enjoying a leisurely cup of fair-trade brew…

On the walls you find the history and vision of this café – but I decide I need to hear it in its flesh and blood reality – I approach the first server I see – May I ask you a question – Why are you doing this café – without missing a beat – “to be a Christian presence in the city center…

[I think I have a fresh expression theme so far – they know what they are about – and why they are doing it]

…this church only has 2-3 services a week – we wanted to keep the Christian presence central.”

Why would someone come here – when there are so many other places to get a cup of coffee? – “the Christian presence in the people who work here” he responds – out of the corner of my eye I see the servers not only picking up the dirty coffee cups but engaging people in real conversation – and even at times – says my new friend – pastoral counselling – this takes the Starbucks mandate to remember everyone’s name and coffee order to a whole new level!!!

Apparently this Christian presence has had it’s impact – one of the tour companies in town encourages people to attend the café at the end of their tour – saying it is a good, reasonable cup of coffee in a great environment – “having 52 people come in all at once is a bit much” he says as he scans the team of long-time church goers…

As I walk away from St. Peter’s I pass a dozen café’s with all the well known logos– none are as busy as St. Peter’s or Wesley Methodist – the attractiveness of the presence of Christ???

Oh – and by the way – says George – the Chester Towne Crier is a born-again Christian!!!

In September 2009, Tim Haughton (Minister of Discipleship at St. Paul’s Bloor Street, Toronto) travelled to the UK to explore Fresh Expressions of Church. He is blogging about his experiences here.

My trusty SatNav (invaluable when it takes all your concentration to stay on the left hand side of the road) led me down into central Sheffield and the DQ dance club — to the home of a 6 year old church plant from Christ Church Fulwood – named Christ Church Central (CCC) – “A Church for those who don’t go to church”.

Sheffield’s core has been revitalized in recent history – with some 7000 people moving into the neighbourhood located in high-rise flats. I was anxious to see how they were connecting with their community – as much of Toronto would have a similar demographic.

A large WELCOME sign beckoned me in along with the smell of stale beer and vomit. As I made my way onto the dance floor my shoes stuck to the floor – the residue of the night before. What had only 18 hours ago been a happening ‘house’ scene in Sheffield was now transformed into a fresh expression of church. The screams of the dancers, replaced with the screams of some 40 children running to and fro from the refreshments station located at the bar.

My University roommate had attended the church for 3 years – so let the pastors know I was coming – and very quickly the greeters led me to speak with the lead pastor – a man with a clear vision to be a biblical presence in the heart of the city – “to be faithful to the gospel & relevant to the culture”. After a brief conversation he introduced me to others within the community and moved away to begin the service.

A worship team (guitar, piano, drums, flute, and vocalists) led us in a mix of contemporary and traditional worship music – the worship leader being unapologetic about the Christianese – did a masterful job articulating / explaining / translating in a culturally relevant way.

A testimony of a woman’s journey to faith and her beginning a woman’s ministry at CCC proceeded the children crossing the road for children’s ministry – and then the preacher got up to speak. I was surprised in a night club setting – to hear a 2 point exegetical sermon on the John 15 “I am the vine” statement of Jesus.

For a culturally relevant church plant in a night club I was surprised by what I saw – the only real difference I saw between what they were doing and perhaps an informal church service in a church building – was just that – the building.

Was I missing something??

At the end of the service I sat down with one of the members – “Steve” – and straight up he asked me as an outside observer what I thought. I was honest – I thought what they were doing was great – but I couldn’t see much difference between what they were doing and an informal church service – except that it was in a night club – (which certainly is quite a radical step)

“Steve” articulated the same two foci of the pastor – biblical faithfulness and cultural relevance – and admitted sometimes they aired to one side over the other. But as we continued to talk I began to understand the service content in light of where their growth was coming from. The Christian’s at CCC were engaged in networks of relationships – (friends, work, hobbies etc.) – and were inviting their friends – Christian and non-Christian alike to experience CCC . Growth was happening through both people looking for a church community and conversion. And what great growth!! 6 years into the plant – the 50 people involved as the initial seed from the parent church – had now ballooned into 200 people spread over 2 services.

As we continued in conversation however “Steve” bemoaned the reality that they weren’t doing more with the community around them. They had 2-3 people in their community involved with DQ night club – including one of the DJ’s – but had not yet made inroads into that community. A Somalian community had grown up around them – and again no inroads had been made.

I asked “Steve” why he and his wife had come – ‘here we are needed’ he said – the community he had come from had loads of money, resources, and when he got involved he felt like they were doing him a favor – instead at CCC he was needed – he could use his gifts and desire to minister to others in great ways – you could tell he owned and believed in what they were doing at DQ.

“It’s just too bloody hard”

When I asked one of the pastors about their connections with the flats around them – this was the response I got – followed by – “perhaps we should again reconsider it”.

Another said – the people in flats pay for their security – a key for the front door – for each individual floor – and each individual door. Members in the buildings, inhibited by the cultural reservation of the British and the prevailing influence of secularism – were not making connections with their neighbours.

My old University Roommate said CCC was the best church he had ever been a part of. And I could see why he said this. It is a great church – great teaching – happening children’s ministry – homeless outreach – depth of community – “Church on a bus”

– but the night club almost seemed out of place –

What was I to make of this???

Was this a fresh expression of church that had lost its original vision? “Steve” seemed to be in this vain –“ we need the fresh ideas that started this place” – he said.

Or…

Is this a community that has been blessed by God in one area – and has followed that leading – as Christians are engaging with their neighbours in evangelism – you can’t argue with 300% growth in 6 years.

As I walked outside to get some fresh air – and a break from the aroma of stale beer and vomit – I noticed another aroma lingering with me. The sweet smell of worshipping with at community in mission – just perhaps not the original mission they began with.