Being... a Christian

A six week course in the basics of Christian faith

When Jeremy Paxman interviewed another former curate of Hampstead, the Very Reverend David Edwards, for his book on The English, Edwards remarked bleakly that "The English have lost any sense of what religion is." Whether this is a pessimistic exaggeration or not, it is undeniable that there is a widespread loss of basic Christian language and concepts in our culture. Children who grow up outside of a Christian family or a church school (that is to say, the majority of children) have virtually no contact with the Church and the Christian story. It's not just the young either; most adults today remember little of the Christian education they received growing up and the negative portrayal of religious people in the media may convince them that there is little point in taking a fresh look at the Gospel in adulthood.

So the London Challenge 2012 commits all churches in the diocese to "sharing the good news of Jesus Christ in 21st century London". Part of this is the expectation that all parishes will put a renewed emphasis on teaching the basics of the Faith through an introductory course. We are beginning one such course at Hampstead Parish Church this summer. It's going to take the form of a six week series, meeting on Sunday afternoons at 4pm in the Crypt Room, beginning on 8th June and ending on 13th July. There will be a talk by one of the clergy, plenty of discussion of ideas, and afternoon tea!

There are many Christian basics courses now on the market. But we have decided to put together our own programme, focusing on how Christian belief forms Christian character. It’s designed to help us understand that Christianity isn't just about "believing" (as if faith were just a set of ideas in our heads), it's a way of "being" in which faith in Christ shapes our interactions and relationships in daily life. Hence the titles of our six sessions:

Being... created
Being... reconciled
Being... transformed
Being... grounded
Being... (well) read
Being... connected

So who is the course for? You may be new to the church and feel this course could be helpful for you in taking some first steps; you may have been coming for some time but still feel that you still lack the basics to grow in faith; or you may want to suggest this course to non-churchgoing friends or colleagues who have expressed an interest. In any case, speak to one of the clergy for more information, or to put your name down.