Swinbrook@11 began in October 2017, when 20 people were sent from St John the Baptist, Burford, a thriving but overflowing rural church. Alex Ross describes ten things that have contributed to the new congregation growing ever since.
1
We aim to make the 11am service the best hour of the week for all of us. A little bit of heaven in a troubled world where we can meet with God.
2
Every Sunday we aim to pass on the teaching of Jesus and the teaching about Jesus. We have Bibles in the pews so people can read the stories for themselves.
3
We have three great musicians; the music inspires worship. We have 50 per cent ancient hymns and 50 per cent modern songs.
4
Prayer, prayer and more prayer! Prayer is a central focus for all of us.
5
Anyone is welcome to attend our Monday evening prayers. They can join in spoken prayer or pray silently.
6
We have four home-groups and are always on the lookout for people to offer their homes for a group or to be leaders.
7
We are inclusive and love anyone who turns up on Sunday. We have lots of comments about the love and friendship that is so clear to people when they walk in.
8
We have lots of different teams, and we look for everyone who sees themselves as a regular to be involved in some way in the church family.
9
We eat together regularly: breakfasts in church, lunches in the village hall or pub, meals in homes, picnics and barbeques.
10
We visit each home in the village three times a year with invitations for Easter, harvest and Christmas. Lots of people have come as a result.