Fellowship Survey Responses

SECTION A  - MISSION AND MINISTRY 

What do you see as being the future vision for the Baptist Church on Tiree?

WITHIN THE CHURCH
To be God centred, encouraging and building each other up.
To grow and develop as a church family.
To be a church which exists for those outside the church.
To be a New Testament Church – fasting and praying.
To expand the congregation, particularly families, to build the fellowship.
To encourage the development of spiritual gifts.
To have a vision for revival.

WITHIN THE COMMUNITY
To share God’s love and truth within the community and the world.
To work with all Christians on Tiree – to draw people to Jesus.
To become one united Christian fellowship on the island.
To reach out in a relevant way.
To do more of the same – joy and peacefulness.
To be welcoming, non-judgemental and focused on the community.
To focus on out young people – allowing them to contribute.
To be a practical community church – meeting people where they are.

PROPOSALS
More open social events and more family services.
More youth involvement in the life of the church.
Invite additional teachers and preachers for special events.
Arrange fasting and praying opportunities.

How should we share the gospel on Tiree?

AS A CHURCH
Learn Biblical ways of being prosperous.
Serve the community in meaningful ways.
Offer practical and spiritual support within the community.
Provide a non-threatening and encouraging environment.
Support existing evangelical initiatives – like Faith Mission.

AS INDIVIDUALS
By living our lives in a God centred way.
Through individual witness in our everyday lives.
Giving practical answers to real problems – love is practical.
By personal invitation to events and church.

PROPOSALS
Arrange special outreach events – such as Alpha courses.

What would you like the church to achieve in the future?

IN SPIRITUAL TERMS
To be a strong Christian influence on the island.
To seek the Holy Spirit and live out the promises of God.
To be salt and light in the community.
To continue to offer its current style of worship and teaching.
To be focused on sustaining and encouraging Christians and
non-Christians alike.

IN PRACTICAL TERMS
To have a practical and caring role in the community.
To have a more prominent and relevant role in the community.
To offer support where there is specific need.
To increase membership and become financially independent.
To develop more suitable buildings and facilities.
To develop more children’s activities with both churches.

PROPOSALS
To have closer links with the Church of Scotland.
To be more involved in overseas mission.
To develop an evangelistic programme which adds and teaches disciples.
To create an island help-line for anyone in need.
To have a sign on the church.
To have a wider congregational involvement – use individual gifts.
More joint worship and fellowship – based around annual events.
Revive church ‘socials’.

Should there be closer links with the Church of Scotland and if so in what way?

There should be one Christian centre on the island.
Closer links could lead to a joint worship/outreach centre.
Yes - this would strengthen the body of Christ here on Tiree.
More joint services and outreach would be a strong witness.
We should build on the strong links we have.
Too many church buildings – two shared buildings would do

PROPOSALS
Regular joint services and evening services.
Joint children’s mission in the summer.
There could be more links between prayer groups.

What activities on the island do you think we should put our energies into?

AS A CHURCH
We should be in the school and visiting the elderly.
We should be building bridges into the community.
Work amongst young people – running clubs and activities.
We should become more inclusive by being more included in the community.
We should offer long term support where there is specific need.

AS INDIVIDUALS
We should be involved in all God-honouring activities on the island.
We should put our energies into existing activities.
We have a responsibility to be involved in the needs and issues on Tiree.
Each should participate where they feel drawn.

How could the Baptist Church become a more active part of the community?

AS A CHURCH
By having more events such as coffee mornings.
By prayer and continued witness.
By fighting for the vulnerable – offering practical support.
By working  amongst young people – running clubs and activities.
By arranging inter-church events – 6/8 each year.
Salt and light do not have to try to be effective.
By identifying needs and responding accordingly.

AS INDIVIDUALS
Individuals serving on groups/committees on the island.

PROPOSAL
Set up inter-church events group.

Are there any events we should initiate here on the island?

Outreach events and joint praise evenings – serving the community.
Establish a Thrift Shop and Christian art exhibitions.
Joint praise meetings – outdoors in the summer or held in An Talla.
Island missions with visiting speakers – young people leading worship.
A Tiree version of Spring Harvest – introducing the Gospel.
A joint conference to discuss our vision for Tiree.
Joint services with wider themes and wider appeal.
Alpha courses.
Big regular outreach events – youth events and holiday clubs.
Visiting teams of lively young Christians leading summer events.
Coffee/Bookshop – but not cutting across existing businesses.
No more sales of work please.

How best could we use our buildings to serve the community?

Sell one and invest the money in the other.
Arrange Christian lunch clubs and Mums and Toddlers groups.
Sell both buildings and buy Kirkapol Church – or use An Talla.
Share facilities with Church of Scotland where possible.
Modernise buildings – and use more widely for the community.
Have a dedicated worship area with a traditional feel.
Have buildings which can be used by the community.
Buildings need to have flexibility of use.
Existing buildings are not conducive to new ventures.
We need a recognisable base – if attendance is to grow.

Are you happy with a multi-purpose worship area?
If not, what would you propose?

Yes.
A multi-purpose area is possible.
Yes - flexibility is key.
Yes - both churches serve us well.
A multi-purpose worship area is the only sensible option available.
Multi-use sounds good – not just dedicated to worship.
Yes - very - it is vital for both worship and community use.
I would be happy with a multi-purpose worship area.
Absolutely.
Yes - very happy.
Yes - a multi-purpose worship area would be ideal.

What do you think our priorities should be?

BUILDINGS
To provide a centre for church activities and facilities for the community.
Investigate all property options which would contribute to our vision.
Initiate dialogue with Church of Scotland now to discuss buildings.
The building should be welcoming, warm and comfortable.
It should have flexible seating and a wide appeal as a community venue.

AS A CHURCH
To agree a vision for the church.
To reach more people in every age group.
Our priorities should always be God-centred.
To be a united, prayerful and active church.
To identify needs in the community and how we can help.
To share the Gospel.
To help new Christians to grow.
To see Tiree alive for God and people coming to faith.
Corporate prayer and worship.
Make use of the Baptist Union Evangelist.
Establish an Alpha Course in homes.

AS INDIVIDUALS
Lead by example – support as many local activities as possible.
Building one another up in faith and witness in the community.
To bring God glory through our lives.
To help each other to grow in faith.