Growing in Faith

Whether you have just become a Christian or have been a disciple of Jesus for a long time, we all need support and encouragement in walking each day with God. At Knowle Parish Church we want to help you continue to grow in faith.

Take a look at some of our invitations below, maybe one of them will spark your next steps in faith:

A one-off conversation

An accompanier

Home groups

Events and courses

Resources

A one-off conversation:

Maybe you’re just beginning in faith and don’t know where to go next? Maybe you feel a bit stuck or stagnant in your faith and want some fresh ideas? We offer a 1hr conversation with our clergy or member of our trained team to help you plan your next steps in faith. The conversation will be led by you as we listen to where you’re at in faith. We may offer some options to consider for your growth in faith but we will encourage you to make and own a realistic choice for your next steps.

To enquire about a one-off conversation, please email office@kpc.org.uk.

If you would like to join our team for these conversations then please contact Rev Steve Johnson.

An accompanier:

Do you need someone to walk alongside you in your faith journey for a while? Our ‘accompaniers’ are just that informal support and encouragement you might need. The 1 to 1 relationship is perfect for newer believers as we pair you up with someone more experienced in the faith but would also work well for anyone needing more intentional support following Jesus.

The frequency and scheduling of your meetings would be entirely up to you although we suggest initially meeting up fortnightly to build connection.
It is a conversation that is led by you as you bring your questions and your needs for support. This will look different for each individual and we will look to pair people according to their presenting needs.

For example, you might:
- want help reading or studying the bible
- want encouragement sharing your faith with others
- need support developing a healthy prayer pattern that works for you
- have loads of questions about faith, church and everything
- need someone to listen to you and walk the path of faith with you

There is no curriculum or set path laid out but our accompaniers look to connect with you, support and listen to you, sharing authentically what following Jesus looks like for them as you journey together.

To enquire about an Accompanier, email office@kpc.org.uk.

If you would like to join our team of accompaniers then please contact Rev Steve Johnson.

Home groups:

Would you like a place to connect with other Christians, a space to explore faith, and an opportunity to be known by others? Our home groups are friendly, regular meetings of local Christians to pray together, engage with the Bible, support each other and find opportunities to bless our community.

Home groups meet on various days and times throughout the week across our local area. Some meet weekly, others fortnightly. We launch at least one brand new group each year, and with around 25 groups in total we will look to connect you with one that works for you. Most of our groups are mixed and intergenerational but some are age or gender specific.

Quotes from current home group members
“It has helped me build real friendships”

“Bible study in small chunks reveals amazing truths”

“I enjoy friendly discussion”

“A great support and wonderful way to connect”

To enquire about joining a home group, please email Sue and Ian Ralph, our home group coordinators.

Events and Courses:

At KPC we run a number of events, groups and courses to help you grow in faith and also advertise other local or national opportunities across the year. Look out for any upcoming events in our notices. Below are some of our regular invitations.

Events:

Friday Night Girls Night has proved really popular with over 100 ladies gathering regularly to encourage one another and grow in faith.

New Horizons, our study group, meets on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month from 10.00am-11.00am in the Lower Guild House. We hear a talk on a section of the Bible or other faith based topic, ask questions and share refreshments. This group dovetails with Friendship Club lunches and Coffee mornings so you can always do both.

Courses:
We regularly run one off courses on various topics of life and faith. We have run courses on Marriage, Parenting, A Bible Overview, The Grace Course and Lent groups on different subjects. If you have a course you’d like to see us explore then do get in touch.

Festivals and conferences:
New Wine - A significant number of KPC, of all ages, attend the New Wine Summer Festival. Along with other festivals and conferences like Keswick or Spring Harvest, these events offer a great opportunity to encounter God; listen to inspiring preaching; and just enjoy being with 1000s of other Christians.

For more information on any of these events or courses, groups and courses please contact office@kpc.org.uk.

Resources:

We want to help you resource yourself for your spiritual journey.

Listen to our recent talks and sermons

Learn ways to develop your prayer life

Our Exploring Faith page provides links for how to begin thinking about faith, Jesus and life with God.
Here is a helpful one-pager on reading the Bible.

Alongside our website, our resource area in St John’s Hall, and resource room in the Upper Guild house are full of great recommendations of books, podcasts, apps and websites etc for you to explore.

As a starter in this area though check out our top recommendations:

The Bible – Youversion
You can read or listen to the Bible in almost any version. It also has great reading plans; explainers and videos that really help you explore and understand the Bible.

Lectio365
Many of our church use this prayer App to help them start and end each day.

‘Start this Way’ and ‘Walk this Way’ – by Guy Donnegan Cross
Great books to get you thinking about your faith journey.

‘Rule of Life’ podcast from Practicing the Way
Episodes that help you explore key foundations of the spiritual life. Everything from Scripture and Sabbath to Generosity and Service.

For more information on any of the above, please speak to a member of clergy or contact office@kpc.org.uk.

Find out more about our groups for children and young people please click here.

Planning your Visit

A Warm Hello

Whether you are thinking of coming to church for the first time because you are interested in exploring faith, whether you’re new to the area and looking for a church, or whether you’re investigating baptism or marriage, you are really welcome. Our vision is to be “A house of God’s light for all peoples and generations,” and we really hope you’ll get to experience some of that light.
Screenshot 2023-09-25 at 11.20

You’ll find we have different styles of services that reflect our diverse congregation. Click here to find out which of our services might suit you. When you arrive you should be met by a member of our Welcome Team who will be wearing a Welcome badge. Please do make yourself known to them so that they can let you have a Welcome Pack and, if you like, can introduce you to someone to sit next to in the service.

What is there for my children?
If you are coming along with children, you might find our 9.30 Family Service most suitable. Most weeks, the children start in the church with their accompanying adult (we really value worshipping God altogether as an inter-generational community.) After around 15 minutes, children go out to their own Sunday groups. More details of these age groups can be found on our Children and Young People page. On the first Sunday of the month, we hold either an All Age or All In service.

How do I get to know people in such a big church?
While you will get to know some people if you come to a church service, it is often at smaller gatherings which happen during the week that you will get to know people better. Click here to read about the other groups which run during the week and here for activities that go on at the church.

How can I get involved?
Click here to read about the many ways in which you can get involved in the life of the church. Getting involved is another great way of way of getting to know people. We’d love KPC to be a church where we grow spiritually by contributing.

We hope very much that you will like what you taste and soon feel at home in our church.

Best wishes,
Geoff Lanham, Vicar
Geoff Lanham BCU 2022 IMG 4089

Get in touch with us to plan your visit

If you would like to come and visit the church beforehand you are more than welcome! Get in touch and we can arrange a time that suits you.

Name:

Telephone:

Email Address:
Comments / Questions or anything you would like to say?

Next, we will contact you by email to say hello and help arrange anything necessary for your visit.