Church is often criticised for its lack of relevance in today’s changing world. Christians seem to find it very easy to separate their ‘church life’ from their ‘work life’ or their ‘social life’ or even their ‘home life.’ Very rarely do we like to cross ‘church’ with anything that we may consider to be ‘not church.’
Here at Bethel City Church in Stoke on Trent, we are committed to changing the church culture that says, “I won’t invite my friend to church because I don’t think they will enjoy it” or, “they’ve said ‘no’ in the past and they’ll probably say ‘no’ again.” We’re doing away with the excuses and we’re willing to do whatever it takes to see our friends, neighbours and family on a journey of discovering Jesus for themselves.
As a church we have been challenged to invest in other people; to love them, to inspire them, to serve them and to do life with them. The person we sit next to on the bus; the people we see everyday in lectures; the students that live next door and even those that spend most of their time at the bar.
Church shouldn’t be about us; it should always be about the people that haven’t yet come to one our Sunday morning services; the people who haven’t yet experienced the life-changing power of Jesus. We tailor our BCC events and programmes towards those who are not yet part of the church; those that have never even heard the Gospel. People on the outside of our church walls need church to relate to them, to meet them where they are.
On Thursday 7th May, we have the privilege of hosting Bluetree for a City Nights event here in Stoke on Trent. Tickets are a bargain price at £5 and the event is set to be a real success. Bluetree kick off at 7:30pm, however doors will open at 7pm and food and drink can be purchased from our on-site City Café.
For your information, Bluetree are a phenomenal band with a very exciting future. They’re best known for their song, God of this City. Their music may well be loud, bold and energetic, however, they are also known for their softer, yet just as powerful worship songs.
This event is the perfect opportunity to introduce your friends and family to church and maybe even experience church for the very first time. Here at BCC we believe that first impressions are massively important. We place a high priority on ensuring that everyone gets a great ‘Welcome.’ That’s more than a handshake at the door; that’s a greeting in the car park, a smile and a kind word as you enter, a showing to your seat, a cup of the finest coffee, and even a smile and a, “have a great day” as you leave.
Here at BCC we believe that everything we do must be to an excellent standard. We’re passionate about church and we’re passionate about our God and that is reflected in our presentation of Church. We do everything in our power to ensure that people have a great time.
Don’t take my word for it. Come and see for yourself on Thursday 7th May. Email ben@bethelcitychurch.com to book your tickets or phone our Box Office on 01782 537 079.
Tags: BCC, Bethel City Church, Bluetree, church, city, City Nights, excellent, God of this City, Gospel, invitation, music, passion, relevance, smile, stoke-on-trent, Thursday 7th May, Welcome, worship
