Mission in practice – Churches at work

Taking the step together

 

You could feel God’s spirit in the church!”
 
So said Rev’d Arthur Botham of St Gabriel’s, Popley, reflecting on a service in March when Bishop David came to the church to baptise five people and confirm five. 
 
However, that was just the start. “God’s spirit moved through the worship and in the

message that Bishop David preached,” added Arthur. “Bishop David baptised and confirmed the candidates and then said ‘I’ve just got to say this – if there is anyone else who would like to be confirmed, please come and see me and Arthur afterwards.”

The result was seven more people, including Arthur Botham’s daughter and relatives of the baptism and confirmation candidates, came forward to be confirmed.

Bishop David added: “It was a household baptism like Lydia in Philippi [Acts 16, v 15] and these are really exciting. It isn’t just the individual but the whole family taking the step together.”
 
Arthur added: “In 28 years of ministry I’ve never seen anything like it”.

 

Taken from the May edition of  Live the Mission, the newsletter of Winchester Diocese