Ballymena Methodists go 'back to Church'

Ballymena Methodist Church is one of 40 Methodist church circuits across Ireland which is embracing this exciting and challenging initiative. ‘Back to Church’ began in England in 2004 in the Church of England and has now been adopted by Methodist, Presbyterian and Baptist churches in the UK.

Members have been encouraged to personally invite someone they know to come back to church on the theme of ‘Come as you are’. A special family service will be held at 11.30am and a praise service at 6.30pm.

A spokesperson for Ballymena Methodist Church said: “Throughout the month of August, we have been challenged to think seriously about ‘what is church in 2010? We acknowledge that many no longer attend church for a variety of reasons, but have a strong sense of mission to reach those who have had a bad experience of church or perhaps have been marginalised and do not see church as relevant to their daily lives.”

They added: “We would readily concede that the church is not perfect but we are seeking to embrace the whole church family and re-engage with those on the fringes. The challenge for all is to be a befriending church and to notice a stranger and to transform stranger into a sister or brother.”

Services for Back to Church Sunday will be held at 11.30am and 6.30pm at Ballymena Methodist Church on September 26.

If you haven’t been to church in a while, or have got out of the habit of going to church, why not drop in to the local Methodist church or indeed any of the local churches! You will be very welcome.