Bristol Visit - January 2024
In late January, a delegation from Christian Action Brighton went on a two-day visit to Bristol to explore the collaborative efforts of the similarly-named Christian Action Bristol, kindly hosted by its convener, Andy Street. We gathered valuable insights that resonated strongly with the vision we hold for Christian Action Brighton.
Rob Liddiard, who is responsible for the Housing strand of Emmanuel Church’s Care for Our City programme, shared his reflections: “A major takeaway was Andy's perspective on the importance of personal accountability to church leaders, emphasizing the need for alignment between individual actions and the church's overall mission.” This overarching perspective, as Rob noted, influences our prayers, strategies, and collaborative efforts. Additionally, recognizing the historical context of Brighton informs our present actions and shapes our future aspirations.
One of the pivotal questions that emerged from our discussions was about the role of the church in serving the city and engaging with civic authorities. Rob said, “When we met with Marvin Rees, the Mayor of Bristol, he highlighted to us the importance of identifying the key civic priorities informing the council initiatives, and simultaneously presenting to them a substantial ‘offer’ of help along with the ‘ask’ of our own resource needs.” Indeed ‘ask with an offer’ struck us as a Christian Action Bristol mantra!
Steve Horne, Pastor of Oasis Church in Hangleton, said “What struck me most was the need for a compelling citywide vision that unites churches, councils, and community groups to bring about positive change over the next decade.” This comes about by aligning our goals with the city's needs, making clear, well-thought-out offers, and collaborating with diverse partners.”
Steve also drew attention to the significance of developing a leadership team within Christian Action Brighton, mirroring the model observed in Bristol, identifying team members, clarifying their responsibilities, and strategically addressing the city's unique needs.
“I was inspired by how the Bristol guys approach the idea of warm spaces. What could similar projects in Brighton, which connect smaller and larger churches achieve in addressing, for example, winter-related challenges?”
The concept of community hubs across the city, involving churches and community groups, resonated strongly. Steve pondered the possibilities of partnering with existing hubs in Brighton and coming alongside the council’s Family Hub model for more collaborative community engagement.
Tim Jones had the opportunity to address a gathering of around 50 of the Bristol leaders and, as well as sharing stories of our own collaborations, he highlighted some of the Scriptural warrant for a commitment to co-working as Christians in three key dimensions: 1) As neighbours with all people (“The LORD is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation.” - Psalm 145:9
), 2) the special blessing of working across organisations as fellow Christians (“… just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her” - Ephesians 5:25), and 3) in the specificity of our local congregations (“Greet Prisca and Aquila... Also give my greetings to the church that meets in their home.” - Romans 16:3&5).
As we process this visit, we envision Christian Action Brighton evolving into a dynamic force for positive change, embodying collaboration, strategic planning, and a deep commitment to serving the diverse needs of our city in the name of Jesus. Inspired by our Bristol counterparts, we are excited about the potential of Christian Action Brighton and its unique role in uniting groups who are transforming lives and communities in Brighton and Hove.
We were greatly enriched by visiting kindred spirits in another vibrant UK city and we believe that these collaborative efforts will bring about lasting impact and contribute to the flourishing of our own beloved city.