What do you get when you put a congregation, two senior pastors, a national leader, a regional leader and an operations and finance director in a room together for a day? It sounds like the beginning of a good joke, and yes, there was plenty of laughter throughout the day, but Nelson Baptist Church’s Big Dream Day was serious business.
Having recently discerned God’s will for the redevelopment of our church property, Charles Hewlett, Grant Harris, Wayne Schache, and Chris Chamberlain accepted an invitation to challenge and inspire as we take our first baby steps into this big adventure.
On Wednesday last week (19 October), the people of Nelson Baptist Church and guests from our neighbouring Baptist Churches were fed a grand banquet:
Charles laid the table with a powerful reminder that Jesus and His gospel have to be central to all our efforts.
Grant whetted our appetite by stretching our mission imaginations with his session on innovation and missional entrepreneurship.
Wayne provided the healthy vitamins and minerals in a discussion on strategic stewardship and partnering wisely.
Then Chris laid on dessert as he shared how history and heritage can fuel exciting futures when a congregation discerns and associates well.
It was a stunningly delicious day of feasting.
How marvellous, how wonderful it is, knowing that we are part of a big, talented and generous Baptist family.
Helen Brereton is Transitions Pastor at Nelson Baptist Church.
