What Makes Us Tick?
As a community of Christ-followers, we seek to live according to the teachings of Jesus – to be shaped by the Good News He preached. We don’t always get it right, and we may let each other down, but that’s how we learn to forgive. We’re not perfect yet! HOWEVER ….. we seek to follow Him and be shaped by the Gospel. This is how we seek to do it….
Being Community
We are blessed by every person drawn to Granton Baptist Church. We want you to be part of our community, whether you are a person of faith or still on a journey to faith. In fact, we believe we can all learn from each other, faith or no faith. We may be able to teach you aspects of the Christian faith, but your life experience and even your questions can shape how we “do” church.
In that process, our prayer is that you will find a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Others may come to the church who have been Christians for many years. You are welcome! Bring your gifts and experience to enrich our community of faith.
Jesus set a high standard for the relationships of His people. He calls us to forgive each other, to love our enemies, and to be open and authentic with each other. Therefore, we aim to work together to build the Church through maintaining mutual respect, open communication, determined co-operation, and believing and speaking the best about each other.
We will seek to provide adequate pastoral care for every person who counts Granton Baptist Church as their spiritual home. This means caring for one another through good times and bad. How do we do this? We have folk who will talk and pray with you whenever there is a need for you to find help. We also have regular opportunities to gather socially, but one of the the main ways we achieve the above, is through gathering in small groups for discussion, prayer and sharing. It’s not all serious! We gather together simply to enjoy each other’s friendship also. It’s hard to get to know people on a Sunday morning, but much easier meeting with a small group of friends in someone’s house. All are welcome!
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Jesus calls us to care for one another, especially through the different seasons and experiences of life. How do we do this? You will find friends who will talk and pray with you whenever you need to find help.
We also have regular opportunities to meet socially, and one of the main ways we do this, is through gathering in small groups for discussion, prayer and sharing.
It’s not all serious! We gather together simply to enjoy each other’s friendship also. It’s hard to get to know people on a Sunday morning, but much easier meeting with a small group of friends in someone’s house. All are welcome!
Worshipping God
Come to church as you are! You don’t have to dress up to come. We are all fairly casual in the best sense of the word. We sing songs, and the words are projected onto a screen. So you don’t have to find the place in a book to sing. You don’t have to use special language. God is our Heavenly Father and he loves to hear His children worshipping in the way they would speak to any friend. He ain’t scary! (Well most of the time He ain’t!). In Covid times, we still wear masks, but after the service there is coffee, and we are allowed to take them off then.
If you have children, they can go to children’s church. There is a great crowd of kids of different ages. We could do with some more so bring them with you.
On A Mission From God!
“We’re on a mission from God”… So said the Blues Brothers in their cult classic film. However, we believe that we are ALL on a mission from God! Jesus said, “Go into all the world and make disciples…” And that’s what we seek to do. We encourage each member to be a personal witness to the life-changing power of Jesus Christ, both verbally and by example.
We believe in culturally relevant evangelism. Traditions have value; they provide a connection with our heritage and represent the accumulated wisdom of those who have gone before us. However, we recognise that in today’s rapidly changing world, methods must
be continually re-examined in order that we may effectively communicate to people in their cultural context. While the content of the gospel message does not change, and must not be compromised or obscured, we encourage creativity, innovation, and flexibility in how that message is communicated.
From time to time, we organise different activities, ranging from low key events, to directly sharing the message of Good News that Jesus called us to share. We encourage people to invite friends to concerts, meals, and other non-threatening social activities where they might meet other people from church. We encourage people gradually to invite their friends to events that give opportunity to hear and understand the gospel. We sometimes run courses like “Christianity Explored” where people can air their doubts and questions with the view to finding answers.
Of course, the mission Jesus called us to was not just preaching, but demonstrating the Good News through practical care and love for those in need. We have a Food Bank and a community lunch. Some Granton folk get involved in the Bethany Care Van where the homeless are clothed and fed. Some are involved in Street Pastors, caring for young folk involved in late night club culture ion the centre of town.
We also have a Wellbeing Space, every Wednesday from 1 – 3 pm in the main church building. “A place where it’s OK not to be OK”. This is a quiet space with hobbies, activities, a friendly smile and a cuppa. Come along. The kettle is on. You’ll be very welcome.
Being Disciples
What does the word mean? Another word would be “learning” to follow Jesus, or “apprenticeship” as we learn with and from each other. We aim to make disciples of all who call Granton Baptist Church their spiritual home. We seek to help each member discover his/her own unique gift/s and train them to use those gifts in the work of building Christ’s kingdom.
We are committed to walking in Christlikeness. We seek to show the positive, attractive holiness of Jesus Christ in our daily lives. We desire that Jesus’ love, mercy, grace, truth, purity, power, and integrity shine through all we do.
From time to time we run courses helping people understand the Bible, learn how to pray, how to use our spiritual gifts, and how to share what we believe about Jesus. Study courses are available for those who have recently become Christians. We also have a course for those interested in Baptism and Membership.
Children and Youth
We have a creative, (sometimes wacky!) team that work with the children. They are led by our Youth and Community worker, Susan. Usually the children go out to their learning spaces at the start of the service. They come in towards the end of the worship and often share what they have learnt with the adults. Not a few times it has sounded so creative that some of the adults are tempted to embark on a second childhood!
We use our time with the children and young people to teach them about God, the necessity of faith in Jesus Christ and the importance of the Bible in our lives. Sometimes the young people will join with other youth groups from churches in the area.
We aim to show the love of God through our relationships with the children. Our teachers are not just teaching the children about faith but living examples of it. Working alongside parents we endeavour to nurture the young people through fun, relevant Bible teaching and discipleship. Our aim is that each young person will, in God’s time, believe in Jesus Christ and become a fully active member of God’s church.
We are excited to report that the church plans to appoint a youth and community worker to spearhead some of the youth and children’s work.
Of course, youth work is not just about learning Bible stories. Some of the musicians in the church run a group called “picks and sticks” teaching the young people to play guitar, bass and drums. Often the children will join in with the worship by waving flags in time with the music. (And sometimes not in time, but hey, they enjoy it).
Contact Us
About Us
As a community of Christ-followers, we seek to live according to His teaching – to be shaped by the Good News He preached. We don’t always get it right, and we may let each other down, but that’s how we learn to forgive. We’re not perfect yet! HOWEVER ….. we seek to follow Him and be shaped by the Gospel.
Address
99 Crewe Road North,
Edinburgh EH5 2NW
Lothian Buses numbers 19, 38, 47, x29 and x37 stop outside the Church, 21 and 27 stop nearby on Ferry Road.
Contact
0131 552 0915