What do we Stand For

"All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players: They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages. At first the infant, mewling and puking in the nurse's arms...... And then the whining schoolboy, with his satchel, and shining morning face, creeping like snail unwillingly to school....... And then the lover, sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad, made to his mistress' eyebrow..... Then a soldier, full of strange oaths, and bearded like the pard. Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel, seeking the bubble reputation even in the cannon's mouth........ And then the justice, in fair round belly with good capon lin'd, with eyes severe, and beard of formal cut, full of wise saws and modern instances; and so he plays his part...... The sixth age shifts into the lean and slipper'd pantaloon, with spectacles on nose and pouch on side, his youthful hose well sav'd, a world too wide for his shrunk shank; and his big manly voice, turning again toward childish treble pipes and whistles in his sound....... Last scene of all that ends this strange eventful history, is second childishness and mere oblivion, Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything" (William Shakespeare - From "As You Like It", Act 2 Scene 7)

William Shakespeare summed up human existence as various roles that we play out on the stage of life, and perhaps many people will identify with that way of thinking. However, the Christian Faith sees human life not so much a play, but more a journey. As human beings, we are not simply acting out a role, but are actually involved in a journey at every moment from cradle to grave. And as we live through this journey, we are called upon at each stage, to make choices and decisions as to which direction we want to take. At each of these "stages" the church plays it's part, and we here at Salendine Nook Baptist Church want to play ours in the life of our own community, because we believe as Christians, that God is involved in our lives, and that in Christ he has given us the supreme example as to how a human life should be lived. The Church, as the focus of God's involvement and as the "body of Christ" in the world today, has a responsibility to help and encourage and support people along their journey of life.

The following thoughts and information explains how this responsibility has been accepted and is being put into practice in this church.

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"At first the infant. . ."

Both the journey of life and of faith starts with a birth.

The birth of Christ.

"...what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins". (Matthew 1:20a-21).

"While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn....." (Luke 2:6-7).

Human birth.

What images a new born baby evokes. A new life, future potential, the joy of parenthood, responsibilities, changed routines, aspirations, future expectations, the first smile, the first step, the first word.

Jesus himself was taken to the Temple in Jerusalem as a baby, to be presented to the Lord. Later, when some of his followers began to turn children away, Jesus said "let the children come to me".

In our church today, we still welcome children in the name of Christ. As a Baptist community we don't practice the sacrament of infant baptism, but we recognise that parents want to mark the birth of their child in a special way and offer some form of thanksgiving in a public place. Therefore our practice takes the form of a blessing for the child with the parents dedicating themselves to God, and promising to bring up their child surrounded by love and care as responsible parents.

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"And then the schoolboy......"

Jesus grew as all children do. Luke records in Chapter 2 verse 40, "And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him". The Christian Church has always been involved in children's education in various forms, both imparting knowledge and in building character, so that children can discover their true potential as God's people. Hearts and minds opened to the treasures and riches of the world around and invited to reflect on God's generous provision and providence.

We offer a varied programme of activities to the children who come into this church.

Pre-school playgroups, were children can learn how to mix and relate to other children, developing vital social and interactive skills.

Sunday School, were a child's first steps on the journey of faith take place, learning the stories and teachings of Jesus, and how all of that relates to life today. Then, hopefully, as they grow in knowledge and wisdom, they can take their place as full members of the church, the body of Christ.

Youth club. Fun and relaxation in a safe environment. A place to "chill out". That's the aim of our youth club, on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, so that friendships can develop and energy be expended in constructive and creative ways.

A range of Uniformed Organisations. Rainbows, Beavers, Brownies, Cubs, Guides, Scouts. All meet here in Church during the week, encouraging children and young people to explore and experience a whole range of different activities and projects, thereby helping to broaden their horizons.

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"And then the Lover..."

Writers, artists and musicians have tried over the centuries to express, in their different ways, this basis for all human relationships we call 'love'. The Christian Church, over the same centuries, has tried to explain, through word and deed, how God's love for us was revealed and embodied in Jesus Christ, who lived and died for love of the world. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16).

We hold that 'marriage' is a gift of God, and therefore is still something to be prized and sought after. Despite the modern trend away from the marriage institution.

At it's best, it is a perfect blending into one, of two hearts and minds and bodies, and is an expression of one of God's perfect gifts to the human race. The sacrament of marriage is the Churches blessing upon those couples who commit themselves to each other in love and decide that their life's journey should be travelled together.

Love is also expressed through family life. So therefore, we try to make our church as 'family friendly' as possible by offering cheche facilities at our morning worship.

But not everyone has the privilege of belonging to a family in the worldly sense. Many people, for a host of different reasons find themselves alone. Here in Church we try to provide an extended family where people can, if they wish, find love and support, be it physical, emotional or spiritual.

But we believe too that we can only love each other, because God first loved us in Christ. This is the underlying message of the Gospel which our Church proclaims. For Christians, the focus of God's love is remembered and relived, when we share Communion, a simple meal of bread and wine at the invitation of Christ himself. This we believe, is the "Lords Table". The bread, a symbol of Christ's body broken for us. The wine a symbol of his blood, shed for us. As we eat and drink together we proclaim the Lord's death "until He comes". "Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends", Jesus calls us, his friends.

If God's love for us finds its focus at the communion table, so our love for him is expressed through the sacrament of Believer's Baptism. By our outward show of total immersion in the baptistry, we declare to the world that we have accepted Christ as the Lord of our hearts and lives. And through the richness of the symbolism, we are witnessing to the death of our former way of life, and our desire, with the help of God's Holy Spirit, to begin a new life of faith and obedience to God's will.

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"Then a soldier and the justice"

During his lifetime, Jesus would have seen many soldiers, and we know that he was a powerful advocate of justice for any who were being oppressed or exploited. He also had a career as well as performing many roles as he exercised his ministry and mission. He was a carpenter, but also a teacher, a preacher, a healer and a worker of miracles. A man of many parts.

People have often separated work and church, believing that one shouldn't impinge on the other and vice-versa. But the very opposite should be true, with faith influencing working standards and practices and work being recognised and celebrated in the church. Both work and worship are pleasing to God. Therefore, we try to affirm both these aspects of life within our Church's activities.

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"The sixth age shifts...."

Society today seems to value only youth. "The lean and slipper'd pantaloon, with spectacles on nose and pouch on side", is still the view of many, towards older people. But God sees a person as an individual with gifts and skills to offer and potential still to be fulfilled, whatever their age. "The Lord said to Abram, leave your country, your people, ... and go to the land I will show you .... So Abram left, as the Lord had told him...... Abram was seventy-five years old" (Genesis 12:1ff).

We try to do the same within our Church, and a range of groups and activities take place on a regular basis to meet the needs and aspirations of as many people as possible.

The following groups represent the range of activities which make up the day to day life of our Church.

Two 'Ladies' organisations. Both meet on Tuesdays. One in the afternoon every other week. The other in the evening once a month.

A 'Mens' contact club, meeting on Friday evening once a month.

A Dancing class and two Dieting groups, meeting at different times on different days each week.

A Walking club. Once a month on Thursdays.

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"The last scene of all...."

"The end of our earthly journey", death has been called. And certainly within the Church, death is recognised and regretted. And yet, we, along with the rest of the Christian Faith, proclaim and preach Christ crucified. For Christians, there's a greater poignancy regarding death, when we remember that the death of Christ on the cross stands forever as God's greatest triumph over violence and evil. Through his death, Jesus restored the broken relationship between God and humanity and won for us the forgiveness and salvation which assures us that God's grace and mercy will never leave us nor forsake us, now nor throughout eternity.

And the assurance for all of this comes with the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.

"As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side and they were alarmed. 'don't be alarmed' he said, 'you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him". (Mark 16:5-6).

In our life's journey, death is usually the last thing we talk about. But the Good News of the Christian Faith, speaks of the Christian Hope, of heaven, of resurrection. Both Christ's, and through him, our own. "I tell you the truth" Jesus said to the man dying on the cross beside him, "today you will be with me in paradise". That promise stands for all generations and for all people, including us.

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"The Millennium ---- and beyond"

The apostle Paul writes in Romans 8:38-39, "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers neither heights nor depths, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord".

Through Christ's death and resurrection, the future is assured. People have followed him and worshipped him since those first shepherds and wise men went to the stable at Bethlehem to offer their praise and adoration and gifts. And we in this Church have played our parts in the continuing journey of faith. God's promises have been retold and celebrated in this Church over the past 258 years, and during that time countless people have discovered Christ and committed themselves to follow him. And their faith has not been misguided. As a Fellowship of Christ's people here today, we commit ourselves again each and every year, to continue to work and serve and worship our gracious God, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

If you would like further information or have questions regarding any aspect of our Church or Faith please let us know. We are here to be of service.

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