Mystery Worshippers rate Wetherby Baptist

Two recent visitors to the church have subsequently revealed themselves to be 'mystery worshippers'. They kindly sent us the report they made to their church, and we thought you'd like to see it....

Armed with our masks the intrepid duo sets off once again!  This time to Wetherby Baptist Church, North Yorkshire.

What we found was a friendly, welcoming church of 30-40 people meeting in a primary school hall on the outskirts of Wetherby. They have only recently (3 years ago) become a Baptist Church and have a dynamic and proactive group of members, who are striving to spread the word. There is a part time minister, who is newly in post.  On a Wednesday afternoon from 1-3pm she is available in Costa Coffee in the town for people to come and chat. We thought that this was an excellent outreach idea. 

Another innovative idea that we really liked and that the congregation were enthusiastic about was the "Wetherby Mile of Cans". This will be held on 17th September in the public gardens.  It is a way of involving the general public in the Harvest Celebrations.  Everyone is invited to bring cans of food and to try and make a mile long chain.  The tins will be donated to Homeless Charities in Leeds.  This was promoted on local radio.   We heard the catchy jingle, which end with the classic line "Wetherby Baptist Church the Can Do church".  The various members skills are all being utilised in this project.

They were all very kind to us and quickly involved us in their worship. My "beloved husband" wielded a triangle and I got to wave a flag during one of the hymns! The hymns were modern and uplifting, displayed on a projector screen from a laptop.  We picked the brains of the very nice young man (James), who was operating the technology. He says that they use Zion Works to run their service.  It has a data base of hymn lyrics and can incorporate Power Point presentations of the sermon.

A number of the congregation were involved in the service.  It was a team effort.  We liked the eavesdropping in on a conversation between Peter and Jesus on the subject of " Does God like music?" A man, who bore a striking resemblance to Peter Sallis waxed lyrical about Yorkshire in his prayers.

The part that had the most effect for us was the sermon on the first week.  The statement we bought away with us was the exhortation for us all to follow St Augustine's advice that "The Christian should be an alleluia from head to foot!" We are to praise God with lips, with body, with heart, and with deed. This was brought home to us a few days later when we attended a funeral of a very dear friend.  That statement could be applied to everything about her. We have a lot to live up to.

If you are travelling in that area we recommend you call in.