BCF News

BCF Joint Meeting– Dec 13th

23rd November 2009

On December 13th, there will be another BCF-wide meeting– giving a chance for the whole BCF family to come together for worship and teaching.

It is taking place at St Matthews church in Kingsdown at 3pm.

Parking is limited in the area, so car share if you can!

You can see a map of the church by clicking here.

We Haven’t Been Here Before…

2nd September 2009

Some thoughts from Dave Day:

As Joshua and the children of Israel were about to enter the Promised Land, God gave them many instructions for the simple reason that they had never been this way before (Joshua 3:4). As we embark this month on major changes, we acknowledge that it is true for us. We have not been this way before. We are expressing the life of BCF in a new and fresh way. We are endeavouring to plant churches that are linked to BCF as BCF becomes more of a family of people, communities and churches.

This change has come after much prayer, consultation and discussion and we are excited about the opportunity it will give to empower more people and create more opportunities for involvement and mission. No doubt there will be teething problems but that is inevitable and essential if we are to develop. For many there is already a clear sense of how and where they want to be involved. For others time still needs to be taken to clarify how and where they will fit in. My request is that for those, they take the time to look at all the different expressions of BCF. I know it is easy to think that we will wait and see what happens and then decide. For some the jury is still out. I hope that rather than adopt that approach, we can be part of shaping what happens by looking at the various expressions and sensing where we feel we could fit in easily, which for some it will be geographic and for some it will be more to do with ethos and opportunity.

It is a clear intention to maintain the BCF family and one of my major roles will be to ensure that happens and I want to be as much part of all the expressions of church rather than be solely involved in one. I will also be leading the Apostolic Team which again will have the responsibility to resource and connect the whole family. The team, at this stage, is small and I am wanting to see it grow as we grow as churches. Initially it will be Neil, Tim, Pete, Andrew and myself administered by Christine. At this stage we have specific responsibilities for areas of BCF life but I realise the team does not
fully reflect our values on age and gender. It is always easier to start off small and develop. Our aim is not to be governmental for the churches but to unite and resource and ensure that core values are maintained in everything we call BCF. We will also be responsible for gathering all expressions of BCF together every other month and look at cross-church training.

Change is always exciting and scary but necessary. I am in faith for much growth and life to develop through this next phase. We have not been this way before but there is a promised land awaiting.

Changes Ahead…

28th July 2009

BCF is changing! We are becoming a network of churches– the first (hopefully more will follow!) 3 of which are Aardvark (based in Kingsdown/Cotham); Blackhorse (meeting in Barley Close Primary School from September); and Thornbury (based in Thornbury and surrounding communities.)

This website is in the process of being updated to reflect these changes. Please bear with us over the summer as the information is altered!

Dates for events happening over August can be found on the Diary page, or for a more comprehensive overview, check out the new Calendar.

Global Day of Prayer

27th April 2009

Bristol Evangelical Alliance is pleased to provide a prayer event on the Global Day of Prayer– 31st of May 2009, at Jesus Kingdom City Church (behind the bus station), 7– 9:30pm.

There is also 24 hours of prayer (city wide; everyone welcome), in one hour slots, from 5pm on Saturday 30 May until 5pm on Sunday 31st at the Ark. Talk to Jayne Groves or Angie Allen for more information.

Devotion 18-19 April

11th March 2009

On April 18 & 19 we are holding another ‘Devotion’– prayer and worship, starting at 11am on Saturday 18 of April, and finishing at the Grange meeting on Sunday 19 April. (The Grange meeting will start earlier than usual, with coffee and croissants from 10am.)

We are taking Deuteronomy 1:6-8 as our theme for the 24 hours.

The timetable and details can be found here and will be available on Sunday mornings at the Grange.