Baptists Together facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Baptists Together (Baptist Union of Great Britain) |
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| Classification | Protestant (Evangelical Christianity) |
| Theology | Baptist |
| Polity | Congregationalist |
| President | Steve Finamore |
| Vice-president | vacant |
| Distinct fellowships | Old Baptist Union, Baptist Union of Wales, New Connexion of General Baptists |
| Associations | World Council of Churches, Baptist World Alliance, Conference of European Churches, European Baptist Federation, Churches Together in Britain and Ireland, Fellowship of British Baptists, Churches Together in England |
| Region | England and Wales |
| Headquarters | Didcot |
| Founder | John Rippon and Joseph Ivimey |
| Origin | 1813 (or 1770 |
| Separations | Grace Baptist Assembly, Association of Grace Baptist Churches, Seventh Day Baptists, Strict Baptists, Gospel Standard Baptists |
| Congregations | 1,875 |
| Members | 100,103 |
| Aid organization | Baptist Aid Orphan Society Annuity Fund |
| Tertiary institutions | 1 |
Baptists Together, also known as the Baptist Union of Great Britain, is a Christian group in England and Wales. It is part of the larger Baptist family of churches. This group works with other Christian organizations like the Baptist World Alliance. Its main office is located in Didcot.
Contents
History of Baptists Together
The Baptist Union of Great Britain officially started in 1813. It began with 45 Particular Baptist churches in London. In 1832, the group changed to include the New Connexion of General Baptists. These two types of Baptists fully joined together in 1891.
Important Milestones
- In 1922, Edith Gates became the first woman to be ordained as a minister in the Baptist Union. This was a big step for women in leadership.
- In 2013, Lynn Green was chosen as the first female General Secretary. She started her role in September 2013. She spoke about the need for the group to change and grow for the 21st century.
- Also in 2013, the group started using the name "Baptists Together." They also got a new logo to show this change. Even with the new name, it is still officially known as the Baptist Union of Great Britain.
Who Belongs to Baptists Together?
In 2024, Baptists Together reported having 1,875 churches. These churches had a total of 100,103 members.
Working with Others
Baptists Together works with other Christian groups. These include Churches Together in England and the World Council of Churches. This helps them connect with Christians from different backgrounds.
Missionary Work
The BMS World Mission is a key part of Baptists Together. It was started in 1792 by leaders like Andrew Fuller, John Sutcliff, and William Carey. This organization helps spread Christian messages and support communities around the world.
What Baptists Believe
Baptists Together follows a Baptist confession of faith. This means they share common beliefs with other Baptist groups worldwide. They are a member of the Baptist World Alliance, which connects Baptist churches globally.
Schools and Training
The Union partners with several colleges that train future ministers. These include South Wales Baptist College, Northern Baptist College, Bristol Baptist College, and Spurgeon's College. They also work with Regent's Park College, which is a university college. In March 2024, the St Hild Centre for Baptist Ministry also joined the Baptist Union.
How Baptists Together is Organized
The main leader of the Union is called the General Secretary. There are also many staff members who work at the headquarters in Didcot. They help with things like money, supporting ministers, and legal matters.
Leaders of the Union
Here is a list of the General Secretaries who have led the Baptist Union:
- 1898 – 1924: John Howard Shakespeare
- 1925 – 1951: Melbourn Aubrey
- 1951 – 1967: Ernest A. Payne
- 1967 – 1982: David S. Russell
- 1982 – 1991: Bernard Green
- 1991 – 2006: David Coffey
- 2006 – 2013: Jonathan Edwards
- 2013 – Present: Lynn Green
Regional Groups
Since 2001, churches in Baptists Together have been organized into 13 Regional Associations. These groups help support local churches. They offer help to ministers and organize events.
- Central Baptist Association
- East Midlands Baptist Association
- Eastern Baptist Association
- Heart of England Baptist Association
- London Baptist Association
- North Western Baptist Association
- Northern Baptist Association
- South Eastern Baptist Association
- South Wales Baptist Association
- South West Baptist Association
- Southern Counties Baptist Association
- West of England Baptist Network
- Yorkshire Baptist Association
See also
In Spanish: Unión Bautista de Gran Bretaña para niños
- Baptist Union of Scotland
- Religion in the United Kingdom
- Regent's Park College, Oxford
- Baptist beliefs
- Worship service (evangelicalism)
- Jesus Christ
- Believers' Church
