New name, new opportunities!

In 1988 a group of Christians in the south of Birmingham were amazed at the turnout to a small Sunday gathering at which just a few families had been expected.

The meeting had been arranged in a local home to provide ministry for some who had been travelling long distances for systematic Bible teaching. The fact that over 30 people appeared highlighted a real desire for this kind of ministry in the area, and out of that South Birmingham Evangelical Church was soon formed.

Since then the church has grown steadily, and today there is an adult congregation of well over 150. There are increasing youth and children's activities, as well as involvement with students (local and international), people with learning disabilities, and ethnic minorities. Most importantly, there has been a growing enthusiasm for both local evangelism and world mission.

Relaunch

So why have they now decided to re-launch the church under a brand new name - Monyhull Church? (And if you are wondering, it is pronounced 'Mon-ee-hull'!) Well, it simply reflects a remarkable opportunity. In 1998 the church was offered the use of a building which served the residents of a very large learning disability hospital in Monyhull, South Birmingham. It was an Anglican church, built in the 1930s, once well attended but now less and less used. When the hospital chaplain became aware of their need for premises, he invited them to use the building. The church moved in!

Then, all of a sudden, the Health Authority announced the closure of the whole hospital, and revealed plans for a new 600-home housing estate on the site. To the church's delight, the Authority was very enthusiastic about their presence and agreed to transfer the whole church and the land for a car park and extension for the princely sum of £1! The only condition was that the building would be used for the benefit of the residents of the new estate.

New estate

That was back in 2000. Today, the first phase of the new estate is nearing completion and the first residents are moving in. The church is working with an architect on a design for a very necessary church extension, which will involve a new entrance, kitchen, toilets and various meeting rooms - a project which is estimated to cost in the region of £600,000. Currently over a third of that amount has been raised.

So, why the new name? The church felt very much that they needed a name that would help them identify with the local community being planted around them. They also felt, after a lot of discussion, that the word 'evangelical' was no longer understood by non-church people. Therefore, the straightforward name of 'Monyhull Church' was chosen.

Challenges

In the short term, there is the unique opportunity of being the established presence on a new estate, and being there before any of the houses. They feel that this gives them a 'right' to visit and invite people which they would not have in other situations. They are particularly anxious to maximise this once-in-a-(church)-lifetime opportunity.

Longer term the aim is to develop as many links with the local community as possible, and find as many ways as possible to show the love of Christ and share the gospel. Some of these have begun already through Noah's Ark (parents and toddlers), '116' (ministry accessible to non-church youth aged 11-16) and contact with the learning disability residents. But they believe that there will be many other needs as well.

Because the church has known a measure of growth they are sometimes asked if there is a 'secret to success'. The short answer, according to the pastor, Colin Tamplin, is an emphatic no! The church is keenly aware that there are great mysteries in God's providence, and believe that God has seasons for churches as well as individuals.

Basics

However, Colin also says: 'At the same time, we believe there are certain basic things that God seems to bless, and which, along with a prayerful dependence on the Holy Spirit, we have tried to keep central:

* A Bible-centred ministry. We have been determined to resist quick fixes, and simply trust that if the Bible is consistently taught in a prayerful and relevant manner then in the long term God will work through them.

* A spirit of unity. Our church has a great variety of ages and backgrounds, and our history has not by any means been problem free. However, we have always made unity a priority, and God has graciously kept us moving forward together in remarkable ways.

* A contemporary approach. We have been willing to look again at how we do what we do, and ask whether it is still communicating to the people around us. We have been totally committed to unchanging truth, but willing to change anything that is merely a matter of culture or tradition.

* A commitment to evangelism and mission. Both local evangelism and world mission have always been at the heart of our concerns, and have brought great blessings. They have prevented us from becoming insular and self-absorbed, and given us the inestimable privilege of seeing people come to Christ and grow in him. There is nothing in the world more effective in energising a congregation than this!'

Monyhull Church wishes to give God the glory for their past, and express their trust in him for the future. Finally, Colin Tamplin says, 'Please pray for us, that God would give us all we need to make the most of the great opportunities which have been placed in our way'.

For further information, see http://www.monyhullchurch.org.uk or contact Colin Tamplin on 0121 777 3696.

© Evangelicals Now - September 2004
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