A little over a year ago, St Mary & St Ambrose Church and Anchor Church joined together to form a new church community in Edgbaston, Rea Church.
In this new film – part of the Growing Churches series from Church of England Birmingham – Rea Church’s Priest-in-Charge (Lead Pastor) Chris and Pat (longstanding local leader) share their experience of church revitalisation.
Two church communities become one
St Mary and St Ambrose had shut its doors during a period without a vicar. But the congregation remained hopeful and prayerful for revitalisation.
Pat explains, “We felt God saying, ‘come back down here and open the doors,’ and we said, ‘well, even if there’s two of us here on a Sunday, our doors will be open.’”
At the same time, Anchor Church was a Bishop’s Mission Order community, worshipping together without a formal parish or church building.
Chris says, “We were praying quite intentionally about a building that we could call home, and about growing as a community that had spiritual parents and spiritual grandparents.”
Chris describes “a real meeting of hearts” when the two congregations were introduced, and months later Rea Church was formed.
Despite some initial apprehension, in each other they found an answer to their prayers.
Chris explains, “while we were praying for spiritual grandparents, diversity, a building, they were there praying for young people and music.”
Pat recalls that on the first Sunday together she thought, “what have we done?” but “God firmly said we all belong here together, and this is where we’re going to stay.”
New spiritual vitality
Now a year on, both Pat and Chris reflect that bringing the congregations together has brought a new spiritual vitality.
The new community at Rea Church has also seen significant growth in numbers. Sunday services feature vibrant worship and encouraging fellowship with an all-age community.
As well as welcoming new faces on a Sunday, the church hosts weekly youth and student programmes, and a traditional midweek communion service twice a month.
For Pat, Rea Church “really is a family.”
Rea Church is also bringing support to the wider local community. The church is looking to provide support to vulnerable people, such as work with on-street sex workers, asylum seekers, and addicts.
The impact of church revitalisation
Church revitalisation is one focus area of the Church of England Birmingham’s strategy [link to Growing Churches page], alongside parish growth, leadership development and sustainability.
Locally – and nationally – church revitalisation and planting have proven an effective way to bring new life into some churches.
Planning is underway for eight new revitalisation projects across Birmingham and the region, thanks to funding from The Church of England nationally.
Church of England Birmingham Diocesan Secretary Andy Winmill explains: “Rea Church is a wonderful example of two churches with different gifts and different challenges coming together to form a new shared culture, leading to fruitful mission and ministry across the local community.”
Church planting and revitalisation is an important part of Church of England Birmingham’s vision to see Growing Churches at the Heart of Each Community. To find out more contact the Mission Support team.
The Growing Churches video series shares stories of impact from local church communities across Birmingham and the region.