Christ Church New Malden

Christ Church New Malden is an Anglican church with a multicultural congregation (40 nationalities) in a relatively middle class area of south London.

The Vicar, Stephen Kuhrt, outlines the impact the Just People course had on people's theology and faith, as well as their approach to evangelism.

'Although the biggest impact for us was that the course really moved social justice issues from the sidelines into the centre,  I have found that doing the Just People course has really helped us reach out evangelistically.  I believe people are looking for something to belong to and a way to make a difference and that for some people it has made Christianity more credible and attractive.  As a result, some have since become Christians who may not otherwise have done.

We have now built some of the teaching and my commitment to these issues into the way we do Alpha, by calling people to join a community that is part of making a difference in the world.

It has also reassured those who felt instinctively that these issues are right as well as those who felt they were a distraction, that they are solidly biblical and inherent to gospel ministry. We have all been reminded that orthodoxy is radical!

As well as looking at the theology, I believe doing the homework & the day of action were the most crucial things because that’s when things began to engage people personally rather than being merely cerebral. Our global awareness was also significantly raised.

What came out of the course?

We began a lunch club at the church which now feeds around 20 people. It was initially started with the homeless in mind, but has become popular with those who are lonely, suffering from depression, or have learning difficulties. Out of this ministry (they call it their church) we have built relationships and helped people we would otherwise not have made contact with – we have gone to court with people, done a house clearance for someone who was about to be evicted and tried to be there for them.

Another outcome was that an 80-year-old lady on the course was inspired and keen to take action, and now co-ordinates a service whereby people contact her with the names of people who need visiting and she arranges for someone to go and do it.'

I believe the course works best when it is integrated with other things that are happening - this ensures the message is communicated across the church and it also reinforces the fact that the church is serious about the issues.

We followed up the course with a four-week preaching series on ‘Mission to the Marginalised', in which we got those who’d done the course to share their experiences and how it had changed their views, and this confirmed everything we were saying and doing.

Stephen Kuhrt, December 2008
For more information on the church visit www.ccnm.org