Philip takes Chorlton residents on a faith journey

27 Oct 2006 

Church Army's Philip Gay (pictured left) and the residents of Chorlton, Manchester, recently spent a week celebrating body, mind and spirit at their annual Festival of Faith. The week-long event was organised by members of St Clements Church where Philip is Education Officer Vision Coordinator along with the students of Westcott House Theological College.

"The event came about when a student (from Westcott House) wanted others to see how a church can engage in mission and how they as students of a theological college can offer support and experience as well as enhance what is already going on," states Philip. "The aim (of the festival) is to meet people where they are, both in their own thoughts of faith and in the cultural context of Chorlton in 2006. Using an agrarian analogy, we have to till and ready the ground before we can plant the seeds. Once we have planted the seeds, we might be able to assist in nurturing their growth, but ultimately it is God who converts the individual we, our methods of evangelism, are there to be pointers to Jesus who does the work."

The event had a wide array of activities during the week to spread the gospel message and help people move forward in their faith journey.  Philip explains, "We put ourselves out in the community, utilising the prayer labyrinth as a conversation starter, inviting congregation members and guests to a meal out with testimonies so being in other people's comfort zones, being present and involved in an educational project with a primary school with parents involved in a finale - albeit in church. We created an opportunity for questions to religious leaders of different faiths in a pub! We demonstrated that Christians have a conscience about issues and what we showed value to older people, who feel marginalised and isolated by involving them in their own venue in the service on Wednesday and at a neutral venue with the Tea Dance.

Philip believes that the festival has been a useful way of meeting and striking up conversations with people who have not been part of church life. Michelle* who attended the event commented on the impact such an event had on her. "I was overwhelmed by my response to the Festival of Faith. I attended the curry evening, the food festival and the celebration service on Sunday. I met people I had never met before. A key message for me was that I learnt that it is OK to be working on my faith. I wrestle with it, and spend time questioning what I hear and it is a huge relief to learn that the people around me are also working on it."

Philip added, "Jesus built up relationships and we have to enable and equip our congregations to be able to build up relationships with others. To assist with this we have to get out more from our church buildings and spend time elsewhere to hear the hearts of people beyond the church walls only then can we really be making the church accessible by learning to listen, by taking the cares of others to God in prayer, and by examining what we are doing to help welcome others to be involved in the worshiping community. Church accessibility is not just about ramps and induction loops, important though they are, but about the welcome in person that we have to all people."

For more information on Philip and to support his ministry, follow this link.

* Names have been changed to protect identity.