This is a text-only version of an article first published on Monday, 18 April 2016. Information shown on this page may no longer be current.
ON a sunny winter's day, a huge crowd gathered at St Bartholomew's in Yarnton, Oxfordshire for the baptism of two boys.
There is nothing unusual about that.
However, the vicar, the Revd Nathan Jarvis and the preacher, the Rt Revd Alan Wilson, the Bishop of Buckingham, had invited a BBC film crew.
No pressure to get the liturgy right then!
Fr Nathan lights a candle during the filming.
BBC The BBC were filming a programme about how immigration, social change and the rise of the 'super church' are shaping contemporary Christianity.
The editor wanted to find a quintessential English church that looked, well, like a church.
St Bartholomew's fits that description.
Often modern churches meet in warehouses, converted industrial buildings and rented spaces.
One congregation featured in the film are worshipping in a tent.
(The Latimer Minster which is based on a farm in Buckinghamshire. )Nathan said: "This struck me as a great idea.
No crumbling walls, no faculty applications, and no endless fund-raising to keep the roof on. The programme examined different styles of worship and different approaches to scripture, culture and welcome.
It attempted to tackle the 'hot potato' issues and touched on gay marriage as one issue that divides opinion.
It was refreshing to hear the Pentecostal minister saying that all are welcome, that no-one is pre-judged or cast out. "Welcome is something we take seriously here.
We are a growing church, the only place of worship in the village.
We need to be genuinely open to all.
This is easier said than done. " Nathan said some of the growth had come from new members who may not have felt welcome in other churches."He said: "How comfortable would you be if a same-sex couple started to hold hands during the prayers? How would you feel if someone with a mental illness started shouting in the middle of a service? What could we do to make sure the only person of colour in a congregation felt accepted? It is more than saying 'good morning' and shoving a hymn book and pew sheet into someone's hand. "We seem to be getting some of our offering right.
We are attracting new members.
We are effectively bucking the trend, especially as our new growth is from younger people.
With cameras keeping a safe distance and the service going smoothly, all was well.
Looking around our church the next week during our main service it struck me how diverse and different we are.
Rural ministry can be successful, relevant, exciting and challenging.
This type of ministry is not reserved for the city. "Welcome is something I am reflecting on with a small group of clergy in this diocese.
If you would like to be part of a wider discussion on how we welcome people of difference, please get in touch. "Email fr. nathan@yahoo. com to find out more.