Leadership at SBC

Principle

As with all Baptist churches, we are responsible for organising and managing our church ourselves.
We receive support from the wider Baptist family, but decisions are made by those who have entered into Membership with us.

Ministry

Our last minister retired after having served the church for nearly ten years. We are therefore in a period of transition as we wait to see what God's will for us might be. Services and activities are lead by members of the church, with friends and guests also contributing.

Deacons

In this church we appoint deacons to share the role of leadership.
They are also the Trustees for the church.
The number of deacons can vary, but usually they together with the Church minister, make up the Leadership Team (LT). Whilst we are without a minister we have the support of a Missional Steering Group with support from the Southern Counties Baptist Association.

Decisions

Whilst the LT looks after the day to day running of the church, it is the Church Members who have the final word in decision making. Accordingly we have regular Members' Meetings to keep them informed and to make decisions about proposals requiring their approval.
Friends who worship with us and supporters of the church can attend most of these meetings, but only those who have become Church Members can vote on issues.
If you would like to know how to become a Church Member, we will be happy to talk it over with you.

Our Missional Steering Group

Rob Wilkie - Church Secretary	Louise Ratcliffe - Treasurer
	Philip Nixon
Tim Jinkerson

Planning your Visit

New to church?

It can be daunting going to a church for the first time. There is great variety in the way Christians worship. At SBC we are more relaxed and less formal than many, but we try not to be casual and thoughtless.
We hope the following information will give you an idea of what to expect if you join us on a Sunday morning.
Where and when?
We meet each week in our Chapel for a service starting at 10:30am.
This usually ends between 11.30am and noon.
On the first Sunday of the month, we share Communion together.

For any first visit, we recommend arriving 10-15 minutes early.
Car parking at the Chapel is limited but there are two, free, public car parks not far away along Yorktown Road. In one direction there are spaces beside the town's Library and in the other, beside the Memorial Park.

There is wheelchair access to both the Chapel and the Hall.
There is an accessible toilet in the Chapel Hall.
What to expect?
On arrival one of our welcomers will greet you and help you find a seat. There will be time to meet other folk before the service begins, but if you would rather sit quietly, please feel free to do so.
After the service we serve tea, coffee and biscuits in our Hall. This is the building behind the Chapel. Sharing refreshments is a great way to meet people, or simply to take time to find your bearings. Refreshments are free.

What happens in the service?

The service begins with a welcome.
There follows a time of songs, readings and prayers.
The words for songs and other items, are displayed by data projector.
There is usually a talk (sermon) that explores a passage or idea taken from the Bible

At some point during the service notices will be announced and a collection will be made.
Many members of our congregation give to the church directly by the banking system.
Others still like to give cash.
Don't feel you must contribute, or feel embarrassed to let the collection bag pass by.

On Communion Sundays, we enact in a very simple way, the Last Supper that Jesus shared with His disciples. As we remember what took place and what it all meant, small pieces of bread and little cups of grape juice are offered to all. You do not have to take part. Please feel free to let the elements pass by. We hope just being there will be helpful to you.