About Bryn Independent Methodist Church
We want to tell you something about ourselves, about the history of our church, what we believe and stand for, our vision for the ministry of our members, a little about how we practise our beliefs and invite you to come and vist us.
- Statement of Belief
- Vision Statement
- Doctrinal Practices
- Opportunities for Service
- Formation and Development
Statement of Belief
Vision Statement
Our vision is for Bryn Independent Methodist Church to be:Doctrinal Practices
Membership
It is not necessary to become a member of the church in order to share in worship or most other church activities. However, we believe that only those who are clearly committed to the church’s work and its members should be able to participate in members’ meetings at which issues concerning the church and its ministry are considered.Anyone desiring membership should have been in regular fellowship for at least a year and have demonstrated their commitment to Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord, their commitment to the vision and beliefs of the church and their commitment to its members and leadership.
In line with these principles of commitment, requests for membership are prayerfully considered by the leaders and then brought to a church members’ meeting for confirmation.
Baptism
We believe in believer’s baptism by total immersion in water.We do not believe that anyone becomes a Christian through baptism. The only way of salvation is by repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. However, we believe baptism is an outward sign of an inward commitment of the heart. Through baptism we give witness to the death of our old life and the start of a new life in Christ.
We do not practise infant baptism. Parents who request that their child be “christened” are offered a service of dedication at which they are able to express promises that accord with their own Christian commitment.
Leadership
As an Independent Methodist Church we do not believe in a paid ministry or any distinction between leadership and laity. We encourage every member to minister in the church according to the spiritual gifts that are distributed by the Holy Spirit to all believers, as He determines.In accordance with these principles, we have a small leadership team who are appointed from the church’s membership and they are supported by other church members who are appointed to specific offices in the church.
Issues concerning the church and its ministry are brought to monthly members’ meetings for prayerful consideration and decision.
Opportunities for Service
We believe that the Holy Spirit guides and equips all those who are born again to serve God in the place to which they are led to worship and fellowship.There are some activities, such as musicians, that need specific skills and others that call for more than usual devotion, care or humility. Some ministries are continuous, whereas others may only be called upon under particular circumstances. In all cases, work that is undertaken out of love and devotion to God and His people never goes unrewarded.
Whatever your gifting there is always an opportunity to exercise it in service. If you would like to discuss your particular circumstances then please just ask to speak with one of the leaders.
Formation and Development
Founding of the Church
The church was founded in 1880 when the population in the area was growing with the development of the Lancashire coalfield.At the time, there were no other churches in the immediate locality; with the nearest Independent Methodist chapel being about 2 miles away at Downall Green.
It was five men from this chapel who decided that a church building was needed at Bryn Cross. Following their decision on the 4th October 1880, they commissioned a local builder to erect a “wooden chapel with a zinc roof”, which astonishingly was opened on the 13th November 1880.
Very soon after opening, they increased in number to 12 and decided to open a Sunday School.
Early Growth
After five years the congregation had outgrown the wooden structure and it was replaced by a substantially larger brick building. Interestingly, two of the walls from this structure are still standing today as part of the present church.By the end of the 1800s, membership had grown to 50 with around 200 scholars in the Sunday School. With some fluctuations up and down, membership remained around this level up to the start of the first world war.
There was nothing “exclusive” about the churches in those years. For example, in 1905 we have a record of a united communion service on New Year’s Day with the Baptist church, the Primitive Methodist church and the Downall Green Independent Methodist Church, from where the founding members had come.
World Wars and Their Aftermath
The start of the first world war was devastating in its effects, not least on the churches, and there was little recovery between the wars either. In fact, the records show a membership of 45 as late as 1952. Encouragingly, however, the work with young people and children remained strong.Otherwise, little of note was happening and by 1964 membership had dropped to 35.
Renewed Growth
Over the next ten years there was a steady increase in the numbers partly as a result of a number of evangelistic missions, and probably also helped by an influx of new residents to the area from Liverpool.Over the years, changes (and repairs) were undertaken on the building with a new schoolroom, new organ, more comfortable seating and, unfortunately, it proved necessary to replace the church floor.
Centenary Year
In 1980, being the centenary of the founding of the church, there were all kinds of celebrations with Thanksgiving services, Processions of Witness, Parties for the Sunday School, Choir evenings, to name but a few.Subsequently the church participated with other local fellowships in a tent crusade and other forms of outreach and by 1984 membership had grown to 57.
Need for New Extension
There were always more people attending the church than those who chose to become committed members and by 2001 the church could no longer comfortably hold the congregation.The solution was a major refurbishment resulting in an enlarged sanctuary, flanked by a large vestibule (or narthex), in place of a yard and some dilapidated outbuildings. There was also a new kitchen, toilet block and schoolroom.
The past thirty years have been quite turbulent in many ways – brought about by shifting population, changing employment patterns and members moving on to other opportunities of service. The current membership is looking to God to bless the work further as they seek to be a warm, welcoming fellowship, constantly desiring to grow in spiritual maturity, praying for the local community and seeking to witness their faith by their lives and words.