Abbey Centre Baptist Church

A member of South Northampton Partnership of Churches

ABBEY CENTRE BAPTIST CHURCH has the very clear aim, which we believe is close to the will of God as made plain in Jesus who we accept as Lord and Saviour.

TO SERVE SOCIAL AND SPIRITUAL NEEDS IN SOUTH NORTHAMPTON

The Abbey Centre premises include a multi-purpose building, a youth-wing, a chapel and an outside sports area. The church has overall responsibility for these, but the Centre is run in conjunction with a Users' Association which meets jointly with the church in February and October each year. The small chapel - seating around 120 people, is available for many of the church's meetings and private devotions, as well as for weddings and funerals.

At the heart of the Abbey Centre is a Church. Members, friends and visitors meet for public worship; on Sundays at 10.45am in the Abbey Centre and in the Chapel at 6pm; and on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at 1pm bi-monthly.

Most Wednesdays at 7.45pm we meet to pray, to reflect together on the Bible and to think about the church's Mission. On some Wednesdays we share friendship at someone's home, or there are church meetings of various kinds (details can be found in the church calendar - or monthly newsletter). Alongside devotional activities, we also enjoy social occasions, and delight in showing our care for one another in practical ways: but our church is not a club, it is a company of people who try to help one another to share the spirit in which Jesus lived, and to share His spirit with others in the things we say and do.

ALL CHURCH ACTIVITIES ARE OPEN TO ALL PEOPLE OF GOODWILL

Although the congregation and membership of the church comes from a wide range of Christian traditions, the church is a Baptist Church. We therefore place a strong emphasis on the importance of the church as a company of believers who meet regularly on The Lord's Day to share the Scriptures as a way of discerning God's will, and to point us to Christ as the Head of the Church and Lord of our lives. We also celebrate the sacrament of The Lord's Supper on a weekly basis, and practice the sacrament of believers' baptism. Decisions about the life of the church are taken by all the members attending open church meetings and seeking together to know and to do God's will. We are a member of The Baptist Union and the Central Area Baptist Association.
(For more details about some of these things, see The Members Handbook, An Introduction to the Lord's Supper and An Introduction to Believer's Baptism)

Abbey Centre Baptist Church Worship normally has a traditional Baptist structure to it, but it can be experimental, and is based on contemporary as well as traditional theology. People are encouraged to be seekers after a truth that is to be lived rather than possessors of facts or creeds which might become a source of pride and division. Sunday morning worship is for all ages, and at least part of the time is spent all together. Children especially should feel free and at home in the life of the church. On most Sundays there is a creche provided, plus groups for young people called Kaleidoscope. The service includes a quiet time to sense the presence and peace of God and to reflect on the depths and meaning of God as love. The aim is to provide a balanced act of worship. We hope that people of varied ages and dispositions can offer their worship and receive God's word in Christ. Sunday evening worship is more reflective and intended mainly for adults.

Abbey Centre Baptist Church belongs to the "Free Church" tradition. Individuals are invited to respond to what God has to say to them in Jesus Christ in whatever way seems good to their own conscience. The individual conscience is shaped by belonging to the company of Christ's people, meditating upon the words of the Bible, and the discipline of prayer. We are not bound by state or creed, nor limited by tradition or book in our resolve to seek and to do God's will..

Abbey Centre Baptist Church is ecumenical by conviction and in action. We are members of The South Northampton Partnership of churches. This is a formal agreement signed in 2003 between between Abbey Centre Baptist Church, Towcester Road Methodist Church and St. Benedict's Church of England. The practical outworking of this covenant includes the following:-

• to regularly pray for one another

• to seek opportunities for mutual encouragement

• to share in each other's acts of worship

• to be involved in each other's special celebrations (e.g. Church Anniversaries)

• to study and pray together

• to share in pastoral concern for the area of South Northampton

• to share resources

• to share publicity for worship at Christmas and/or other Christian festivals

• to participate in appropriate wider ecumenical bodies

• to work together for Christian Aid and other agreed charities

• to support the provision of Day Centres for older people in collaboration with Age Concern Northampton

• to collaborate in work with young people

• to encourage one another in work with parents and children, and families.

• to encourage the participation of other churches in South Northampton in joint worship and mission

• to invite contributions to our deliberations from other churches in South Northampton

• to encourage other churches in South Northampton to enter formally into this partnership

Through this partnership we are members of
Churches Together in Northampton, Shire & Soak
(the county ecumenical organisation),
and Churches Together in Britain & Ireland.

Although we believe that the life of the church is of particular value to God, we also believe that God's Spirit is not confined to any group or set of individuals. We are therefore willing to unite for action with all those who seek the common good, and to live in love and peace with their neighbours locally and throughout the world.

FOR OVER 100 YEARS THIS CHURCH HAS BEEN MEETING SOCIAL AND SPIRITUAL NEEDS IN SOUTH NORTHAMPTON. IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY PART OF THE CHURCH'S LIFE - YOU WOULD BE WELCOME.

To find out more about the church, contact the minister, Rev Dr. Ted Hale (Tel/Fax 01604-762305) or email: ted@halesnorthampton.plus.com

The Christian understanding which shapes the life of Abbey Centre Baptist Church is well summarised in the nineteenth century hymn by Minot Judson Savage:-

What purpose burns within our hearts
that we together here should stand -
pledging each other mutual vows,
and ready hand to join in hand?

We see in vision fair a time
when evil shall have passed away;
and thus we dedicate our lives
to hasten on that blessed day.

To seek the truth whate'er it be;
to follow it where'er it leads;
to turn to facts our dreams of good,
and coin our lives in loving deeds;

for this we gather here today;
to such a church of God we bring
our utmost love and loyalty,
and make our souls an offering.