It was gratifying, in a good way, to see that the majority of people who went to the introductory Time Bank meeting at the local High School were from Bristo. Listening to the Community workers and people present, it was interesting that three types of people were identified as resident in the Inverleith area. The materially wealthy, professionals and the elderly. These indicators point to a specific category of poverty - loneliness and isolation.
Here is the question for us, as we are located in this area of the town. How do we meaningfully minister to people in this area, with this type of poverty? Some of our Fellowship are burdened by ministering to others groups of poor. One vision I have for Bristo’s future is the establishing of Community Houses, where a catalyst group can live together, inviting others to ‘come to church’ among them. This is very much the pattern of New Testament churches. Out of a group of such small House Church meetings, the larger congregational unit is sustained. We see a baptist congregation like this recently planted in rural Aberdeenshire. This may well be the way forward for Bristo. An alternative and a compliment to other forms of church in the city.
Here is the question for us, as we are located in this area of the town. How do we meaningfully minister to people in this area, with this type of poverty? Some of our Fellowship are burdened by ministering to others groups of poor. One vision I have for Bristo’s future is the establishing of Community Houses, where a catalyst group can live together, inviting others to ‘come to church’ among them. This is very much the pattern of New Testament churches. Out of a group of such small House Church meetings, the larger congregational unit is sustained. We see a baptist congregation like this recently planted in rural Aberdeenshire. This may well be the way forward for Bristo. An alternative and a compliment to other forms of church in the city.
