The Rock was founded in 2006 by a group of Christians who felt disillusioned with traditional church.  A caricature of such a church would be an inward looking group, more concerned for their own needs with little desire to change to accommodate growth.  Mission might be spoken of, but strictly as some one else’s job! THE ROCK – the story so far

The Community
Chattenden is a community with a long history, it first being recorded as a settlement in 1100 AD.  There are a few houses that date back to the 19th century but they became surrounded by a large military camp which, until recently saw active service.  The former squaddie and officer housing remains (some 400 homes in all, now mostly owned by a housing association) plus a further 300 homes in private ownership, most on the other side of a busy dual carriageway.

The brown field areas are now earmarked for Thames Gateway development of another 5,000+ homes.

Currently, the community is bereft of most things that make a community: pub, club, shop, medical centre, church, focal point, etc.  There are petrol stations on the main road with small retail facilities but there is a feeling of isolation and deprivation.

The former military church building is now used on Saturdays by the parish church for a Kids Church which is attracting some 40 under-11’s each week.  Other than that there was no Christian witness in the whole community.

The Rock
The Rock was founded in 2006 by a group of Christians who felt disillusioned with traditional church.  A caricature of such a church would be an inward looking group, more concerned for their own needs with little desire to change to accommodate growth.  Mission might be spoken of, but strictly as some one else’s job!

Careful not to throw out the good of traditional church (yes, we do need to support and encourage each other as well as provide good Bible teaching) we wanted to fill in the gaps.  We wanted to be outward looking, not-yet-Christian focused and we genuinely wanted to show the love of God to the community.  Having researched church planting / church growth programmes, we have taken the most appropriate for our own situation – we are Purpose-Driven, Seeker- Friendly with covenantal membership which is tiered to reflect Class 101, 201 etc.  (Although we have different names for them! – see below).

The management of the Community Centre welcomed us so, based on the principle of working with the person of peace, we decided to base ourselves there.  We mainly meet for worship on Sundays at 4pm (11am on the first Sunday each month).  Why?  So folk could get up late or go shopping before coming to church and we have at least one who really appreciates the afternoon timing.

Our Worship
We use one room in the Centre for our “Celebrations” (We don’t call them services as if we were a bus or train, Sunday service is naff!).  Currently there are 4 zones:

Worship Zone where performance led worship occurs…. Even if there is no one in the seats, the musicians play and sing and the speaker teaches.  (We’ve never had that few!)

Coffee Zone – this is the area of meet and greet but folk are welcome to stay there throughout the event.  They can watch worship from a distance

Prayer Zone.  An area in a corner where any one can go and be prayed with or for at any time.

Question Zone (denoted by a large question mark), this area is where the speak will be immediately after the teaching so they can be challenged or given opportunity to clarify points made to those with questions.

Under 11’s go out to a separate area for their own teaching programme.

We ensure that musicians and speakers are prayed with at the end of each Celebration.

Other Activities
During the week we have become involved in the community in a number of ways.  Quiz nights have proved popular and we’ve placed them strategically before our Christmas and Easter events so we can publicise them more widely.

We’ve provided volunteers to help run the community youth club and we’re trying to establish a teens football team although we’re looking for a pitch to play on (I said the community lacked most things!).

Last November the council came to us and offered grant finance to run a disused computer suite.  We currently run 3 basic IT courses with a total register of over 30 people.  This is a great way to contact folk in the wider community.

We regularly prayer walk the community and are able to stop and chat to those sitting in their gardens or playing in the streets.

Why The Rock?
So, why the name The Rock?  We wanted to avoid the words “Baptist” and “Church” as both give preconceptions.  Theologically, Jesus is our Rock (1 Cor 10v4) as is God (i.e. Deut 32v4).  So, we’re making a statement, which we can explain when asked and our strap line “God’s foundation for your life” puts it quite clearly!

ROCK has become a mnemonic – Reaching Out for Christ’s Kingdom and R.O.C.K are the four tiers of membership training:

• Reconciliation – deals with becoming a Christian
• Ordering your private life – deals with discipleship
• Committed to serve – initial training for any position of service in The Rock
• Kingdom building – principles for church leadership

We became a legal entity as Peninsula Rock Ltd (the peninsula referring to the strip of land between the Rivers Medway and Thames), the company being limited by guarantee and currently awaiting confirmation of Charitable status.

Reviewing the scene
A year in to this entrepreneurial method of church planting we have been blessed with a core, committed group of Christians who have stood with us during the trials and tests of the year.  We have been encouraged by the contacts we have made in the community and disappointed that we’ve not won the world for Christ!

Balancing being salt and light in the community and building up the saints has been a challenge that we’ve not always got right.  Taking time out to listen to God (especially as a leadership) has been important, vital… but we’re still learning this one too!

Looking Forward
As in 2007 we begin our second year together, prayer, fellowship and building on existing contacts are our primary building blocks as we continue to show the love of God to this community which will shortly be changing out of all recognition.