A Cambridge God Adventure* 34) Not a 'student church'!

(*please skip if you have not been following this story).  Nowadays churches seeking prospective ministers often prepare descriptive profiles and vision statements. Not in my day - but I do remember a leading deacon saying very emphatically when I first arrived: ' We do not see ourselves becoming a "student church". Rather we would like to become a family church of all ages into which students would be welcomed.'

I remember thinking how outrageously ambitious it was to imagine we might ever be a church filled with tens of students though it was true for several other Cambridge city centre churches.  Their programmes often revolved around university terms and dazzled with gifted speakers.  Such an aim seemed wildly far-fetched and I readily accepted the vision of becoming a 'family church.  How wonderful that would be.

By early June, 23 new members had come into fellowship.  It was a still a long way to reach our prayer aim of 50 new members but given our starting point we were immensely encouraged (as you can imagine).  One of the great joys was the range of ages represented in these new members.  Yes, there were students but they were outnumbered by many others.

And this diversifying continued in the next autumn baptismal service with three candidates - two of whom were much older with striking stories of God at work in their lives (especially the ex-rugby player) . Truly they added to the possibilities of becoming a 'family church'.  Again, prayers (sultanas and currants) focused on the impact their witness would have that God's good news would impact many others.  And, again, God used it wonderfully with new people coming to faith.  Baptismal services were becoming a visible spiritual pulse.  Every time they brought visible life and health to the whole community.