How Sophie saved with Silley – and backed the kids of Kibera
The electric snake had claimed dozens of ‘lives’ – but had no answer for the dextrous skills of one CRE visitor.
Sophie Wellbelove took on the Save With Silley Challenge at CRE 2018, reaching the end of the snake without getting ‘electrocuted’ – in just eight seconds.
‘It was an incredibly quick time and the best of the week,’ said Andrew Silley, who specialises in energy procurement, management and consumption reduction for churches and individuals. ‘We were delighted to send £100 to the Turning Point Trust on Sophie’s behalf!’ The trust works with children in Kibera, a vast slum in Nairobi, Kenya where 7,000 children are out of school due to poverty. The trust returns children to school, providing quality education and promoting literacy in the community.
As an energy professional who understands the complexities of the industry, Andrew reviews expenditure and suggests ways we can all make savings.
‘There’s really nothing to do other than decide if you want to save money,’ he said. ‘And there’s no charge for my services. The churches and charities I work with have saved between five and 56 per cent on their energy bills! In fact, I am so confident of finding you the best deal, I guarantee to beat the renewal offer of your current supplier (as detailed in your initial renewal offer letter) or I will make a donation of £75 to the charity of your choice.’
Among the charities Andrew currently supports is The Message, based in Manchester.
‘All the more reason to pay me a visit at Event City!’ said Andrew.
• Andrew Silley is on stand C18 at CRE North
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Let professional HR release your leaders to lead
Churches aren’t immune from problems with employees and should consider bringing in trained Human Resources professionals to help navigate difficult situations.
That’s the view of Nicci Birley, director of CRE North exhibitor Cornerstone Resources Ltd.
‘Church leaders are not only required to provide spiritual leadership but have to act as CEO of a small charity,’ she said. ‘Maybe someone isn’t performing, or money needs to be saved by making an employee redundant. It’s during these difficult times that the emotional as well as financial cost can be extremely high.’
Having someone you can rely on and trust who is not only trained in managing people issues but also a Christian can be invaluable, believes Nicci, founder of Cornerstone Resources Limited, an independent HR organisation.
‘In a Christian setting, we know how important relationships are and even when the right decision is to part company with someone, you’ll want to ensure where possible that the relationship doesn’t break down because of it,’ she said. ‘With many years of experience, not only in the professional HR world but also in churches and charities, we bring an understanding of church life and leadership and work closely with clients to understand their culture and vision – so we can find the right solution for all concerned.’
• Cornerstone Resources Ltd are on stand D9 (sharing with Phasic)
> Who’s exhibiting at CRE North 2019?
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Preachers before Paul: why we should celebrate the very first Christian missionaries
Saint Paul and the ‘big’ missionaries grab the headlines but we can learn a lot from the less-celebrated apostles in Acts.
‘We need to think carefully about our audiences,’ maintains Mike Penny, founder of the Open Bible Trust. ‘Why didn’t the apostle Peter go to any Gentiles, other than Cornelius? Should we be as selective in whom we witness to? Philip seemed to be doing a good job in Samaria so why did he need help from Peter and John? And taking principles from these apostles, what help do we need?’
In his seminar at CRE North, Mike will also consider the speech of Stephen, the first Christian martyr.
‘We need to ask where he went wrong and learn from him,’ said Mike. ‘And who formed the churches in Rome, Spain and Egypt? Did some of the 3,000 saved on the day of Pentecost take the message back to their own cities? We should do likewise. There is no need to go abroad today to reach people for Christ.’
Looking for that ‘missing something’ between deep theology and daily reading notes sparked the Open Bible Trust into being.
‘A group of us set out in the 1980s to encourage people to widen their interest in the whole Bible,’ said Mike. The newly-formed trust created a bi-monthly magazine, Reach, which offered a number of Bible studies and opened up biblical books in an easy-to-understand manner. Several more publications followed. A former director of maths and business studies, Michael spent nine years as the minister of a church in America. Now 75, his vision has not dimmed and his seminars at CRE are usually oversubscribed.
• The Open Bible Trust are on stand A15 at CRE North
• Mike Penny will speak on Missionaries before Paul (12pm, Thu 14 Mar)
> Who’s exhibiting at CRE North 2019?
> Who’s exhibiting at CRE Sandown Park 2019?
Introducing Mr and Mrs Looyah (and their son Hal)
A team of award-winning programme makers and business executives have come together to launch a new discipleship resource called Little Worship Company.
Their range of products will help children and grown-ups discover God together, through easy to use DVDs, devotionals and a digital App called ‘The Little Worship Company World’. Aimed at 0 to 6-year-olds, the interactive resources are based on a curriculum suitable for churches and schools.
‘Each DVD is hosted by Hal and his parents Mr and Mrs Looyah!’ explains Jo Sunderland of Wonderborn Studios, makers of the series. ‘The Looyahs take children through a journey of worship and scripture, helping them explore God and their identity in him, grounded in biblical truths.’
Grown-ups are invited to make use of an all-age devotional, with activities and crafts for adults and children, helping them both grow in faith together. The App also offers prayers and songs.
Led by Toby Hughes, a former technology and media entrepreneur, the Wonderborn team is made up of an advisory panel, expert consultants and in-house development, production, digital and marketing teams.
• Little Worship Company will be on stand C32 at CRE North
> Who’s exhibiting at CRE North 2019?
> Who’s exhibiting at CRE Sandown Park 2019?
Bolton beware! Rev Hilary’s on the round up
A Methodist minister wants to take dozens of church members to CRE North – to celebrate her first five years in office.
Rev Hilary Howarth (pictured) of the Triangle Community Methodist Church, Bolton, visited the last CRE at Event City five years ago.
‘It was so brilliant I know it can make a lot of difference to church life,’ she said. ‘Our departmental leaders and helpers will get fresh ideas. We are working on our vision for the next five years and the resources on show at CRE will be a real inspiration.’
A local preacher for many years, Hilary became a minister in 2002 and served in Chorley and Northwick and Winsford circuits before returning to her roots in Bolton to lead The Triangle Community – three fellowships that came together to form a new church.
When CRE opens on March 13, Hilary wants to be there with at least 50 people – ‘so we can share together as a group and get even more out of it.’ The first day of the exhibition appeals to her because it will be open until 8pm – giving some people time to attend for a few hours after finishing work.
‘I’m passionate about growing healthy churches where Christ is central to our faith,’ she said, ‘and our love for him is expressed in relationships we share not only with those in the church family but within our communities and wider world.’
As a supporter of Bolton Wanderers FC, she may also spend a little time visiting Christians in Sport, Ambassadors Football, Sports Chaplaincy UK and the C of E Ministry of Sport.
> Who’s exhibiting at CRE North 2019?
> Who’s exhibiting at CRE Sandown Park 2019?
Global mission update at CRE North 2019
Children’s charity World Vision are inviting church leaders to a special lunch presentation on the first day of CRE North (Wed 13 Mar).
Attendees will hear how two thirds of British adults fail to see the positive difference the Church is making globally or locally, according to the UK Church in Action report commissioned by World Vision UK in partnership with insight specialists Barna Global.
While 52 per cent of all Christians interviewed agree the Church has a positive impact in their communities, less than half (or 49 per cent) believe this is happening on a global scale. The study also found that 81 per cent of non-Christians don’t believe or don’t know how the Church is making any difference whatsoever to society.
‘Along with Barna Global, we are inviting church leaders to come and hear the latest research which gets to the heart of what social justice and mission mean today to church leaders and Christians,’ said Justin Bloomfield, the charity’s church relationships manager. ‘The report will enable attendees to better understand World Vision’s distinct calling to support churches in global mission. We hope to be able to help them improve strategies and partnerships. It is also a fantastic opportunity to meet with other local church leaders from the region with shared interests.’
A complimentary lunch and refreshments will be served and attendees will also receive free entry to CRE North. Spaces are limited so if you are a Christian leader email Justin Bloomfield or call Ally Wenham on 01908 244590 by Friday 1st March.
• World Vision are on stand A16 at CRE North 2019 and stand S41 at CRE 2019
> Who’s exhibiting at CRE North 2019?
> Who’s exhibiting at CRE Sandown Park 2019?
Photo ©2017 Jiro Ose/World Vision. Distribution at Imvepi refugee settlement, Uganda
Your goal – using sport to reach your neighbourhood
Let’s get out of our church buildings and join in with our local communities through sport.
That’s the challenge issued by Rev Tim Hastie-Smith, national director of Scripture Union England and Wales. If we do, maintains Tim, we will be able to ‘offer hope, build meaningful relationships and share God’s good news.’
Tim was commenting on Mission through Sport, in which SU supports churches as they go into local parks and MUGA’s (Multi-Use Games Areas) to run weekly detached sports projects, as well as non-residential and residential sports camps. Training, resources and ‘how to’ guides have all been produced to best support churches in running exciting, simple yet safe sports activities. SU are at CRE North to show churches how it all works.
Several other exhibitors, including Christians In Sport, Sports Chaplaincy UK and the C of E Ministry of Sport, will show us how to make the most of other opportunities – previewing National Sports Sunday (19th May 2019).
• Christians in Sport (Sports Ministries UK) are on stand A36 at CRE North
> Who’s exhibiting at CRE North 2019?
> Who’s exhibiting at CRE Sandown Park 2019?
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Technology at CRE
Whether you require a sound system, video projection, lighting, staging or set design, CRE exhibitors provide all the advice you need.
Installing new AV equipment into old buildings can present a whole raft of challenges. B+H Sound is one of a number of companies with many years’ experience managing and delivering installation projects in every type of building from brand-new construction projects to those that are 12th Century Grade 1 listed.
‘It’s important to understand the unique architectural sensitivities of historic venues,’ explains B+H’s Brian Hillson.‘Our design team work alongside and advise churches on developing uncompromised technical solutions that meet the stringent requirements of approval processes such as Church of England faculty or DAC permissions.’
Fellow exhibitor DM Music have put installations into more than 3000 churches – from simple, easy-to-use speech systems to sophisticated multi-channel digital audio and visual set ups.
Meanwhile Hymn Technology offer their portable electronic hymn player under the proposition ‘No organist? No problem!’ Little or no musical or technical skill is required to operate it with some 3000 hymns available at the touch of remote-controlled button. The original Hymnal Plus came on to the market in the autumn of 2005 and was an instant success, with major coverage in virtually all the main UK national newspapers as well as widespread media coverage around the world. Now replaced by the HT-400, the product is sold through a small network of specialised dealers covering all parts of the UK.
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Social engagement at CRE
Social engagement is growing theme at CRE with a number of exhibitors specialising in reaching out to marginalised people.
Street Pastors are a good example, with trained volunteers from local churches who patrol town and city centres on weekend nights listening, caring and helping. All work in collaboration with police, local councils and other statutory and voluntary agencies, and have been recognised as making a significant contribution to ensuring the welfare of those enjoying the ‘night-time’ economy.
Meanwhile, Green Pastures buy property for churches and Christian charities so they can house homeless people in their area. The charity provides all the paperwork, expertise and ongoing support to operate a successful supported housing project. Through their network of more than 55 partners (churches and Christian charities), they house and care for more than 930 people in the UK.
A visit to CRE is vital if you and your church want to find out how to learn from and join forces with key ministries such as these.
Main photo: Hannah Beatrice
Photo of homeless man by Matt Collamer on Unsplash
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Finance at CRE
Don’t let limited budgets dampen those dreams! CRE is the best place to seek professional advice on all church-based financial matters.
A vital area of concern is VAT and key questions include:
• Do I really have to pay that much VAT?
• Can I reduce it within the law while maintaining integrity?
• With such complicated rules, how can I be sure that I won’t have to pay more VAT at a later date?
Les Howard of vatadvice.org says: ‘The rules concerning the purchase, construction or development of land and property are complex,’ explained Les, who has more than 25 years’ experience in VAT, including a spell working for H M Revenue & Customs. ‘Professional advice should always be sought and as early as possible. It may be that the VAT consequences of a proposed project will have a significant effect on its viability.’
In today’s litigious world, churches also face risks far beyond property damage. Russell Hickman, church specialist at Access Insurance, said: ‘They should regularly consider the situation and be comfortable that they have sufficient insurance and risk management arrangements in place.’
