Room for Growth - 2 New Services

From September 2025, we're planning to launch 2 new services at 10am and 4pm in place of our existing 10.30am service. This is a response to the growth we've seen over the past few years and our desire to create space for newcomers Sunday by Sunday. We are compelled by the great commission and the many thousands of people in Gateshead who do not know the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Journey

The Plan

The plan is to move from one service at 10.30am to two distinct Sunday services at 10am and 4pm. We will remain one church, united in the gospel, served by one staff team, working together to spread the good news of the Lord Jesus Christ in Gateshead. We are launching a second service, not a second church.

We are asking everyone to choose their main service and indicate their preferences and willingness to serve at each service, using the electronic form here.

Service Details

• Both services will follow the same teaching pattern, so we continue to learn together.
• JAM (11-14s at 10 am) teaching will differ from teaching at our new Sunday evening youth ministry, “Ignite.”
• Both services will aim for a relaxed, informal, friendly atmosphere, but will develop distinct styles over time (different songs, liturgy, influenced by size, demographics, and culture).
• Both services will be biblically focused and intergenerational.
• This new structure will allow families to attend the same service together, rather than being split across different services by children’s ministry availability.

New 'Ignite' Youth Ministry - After 4pm Service

• We will have simple food (e.g. pizza) each week from 5.30pm.
• It will be open to all youth, including those who have not attended the 4pm service (e.g. those attending with their families at 10am).
• We will spend time in God’s Word, being encouraged in our faith, with a focus on application and equipping for daily life.
• The Biblical content will be fresh, not repeating passages covered in the service or JAM that day.
• Tim Lewis will coordinate initially (likely until Christmas), sourcing teaching material. We are aiming to appoint a new Youth Worker by September who will then take responsibility for this ministry.
• A volunteer team will be required to support and enhance this work.

Impact on Existing Youth Work:

• 3D discipleship groups: Likely to stop, with Ignite filling the gap.
• ARC: Continues as a more outreach-focused group (games, etc.), with hopes to become weekly with a new Youth Worker in post.
   

FAQs

1. What is the plan to promote cross-service relationships so that we don't lose contact with those attending the other service?
   
   We will remain one church with two services. Connection points like home groups, monthly prayer meetings, and church-wide events will remain mixed across services. We may add fellowship meals and picnics to bring everyone together more regularly.
    
2. What is the vision or provision going to look like for non-children centric members?
   
   Growth has been across various demographics, not just families. Both services aim to welcome anyone, regardless of family or life stage, and care well for everyone.
    
3. What are the plans for timing/length for services?
   
   We will aim to tighten up service length, aiming for about an hour and a quarter, especially at the 4pm service due to its impact on subsequent activities.
    
4. Why 4 p.m.? Why not start later (e.g. 6pm)?
   
   We want both services to be appropriate for everyone, including families with children. A later service would be too late for younger children and is unlikely to solve the capacity issues that we're facing.
    
5. Why are we moving the time of the 10.30am service?
   
   In very practical terms, a 10am start gives extra time between services for those involved / serving at both services. It's a great way for the morning service to serve the afternoon service. And as we've said above, we're starting 2 new services, rather than just adding a new afternoon service to what we're already doing.
    
6. How were the music and kids ministry teams consulted on this plan?
   
   Church Council is representative of the church family and contains children's group leaders and those involved in music. Whilst the new service is likely to stretch us, new volunteers are expected to come forward, as seen in other churches when taking this kind of step.
    
7. If 50 people /  35 adults, don't commit to one service, what would be the plan B?
   
   We don't have a plan B at this stage, but having explored lots of other options we believe this is the best option for HTG at this time. We trust that if it is God's will, the right numbers will come forward for each service.
    
8. What's the vision for where we'll be one year from now, five years from now, in terms of numbers and maturity?
   
   The hope is to see many people coming to faith and potentially having conversations about planting a church in the future.
    
9. Will the 4pm service continue in the school holidays?
   
   Yes, the 4pm service will continue during school holidays.
    
10. Can there be a set point in time to review the changes? Can the whole church have an opportunity to give feedback?
    
    There will be ongoing reviewing and tweaking by the staff team and Church Council. Feedback is encouraged through open conversations rather than waiting for formal forms.
     
11. If we're not able to appoint a youth worker to start in September, what's the likely impact on how the Sunday evening youth ministry will function?
    
    The hope is to start the ministry regardless, with staff team enabling this, but aspirations for ARC moving to weekly are dependent on appointing a Youth Worker.
     
12. Will we have the same number or pattern of family services as we do now for both am and pm services?
    
    The plan for now is yes, but it will be reviewed as we move forward.
     
13. How will you ensure enough people go to the 4pm service instead of 10am such that the capacity issue is solved?
    
    A form will be sent out for people to indicate their service preference, and flexibility is encouraged.
     
14. If we commit to attending the 10am service, are we expected to serve at the 4pm or serve at the 10am?
    
    Everyone is encouraged to serve at either the 10am or the 4pm, or both. This up to individuals and families to decide themselves.
     
15. Will all children's provision at the 4pm service be in the church building?
    
    Yes, currently all provision will be in one space, not using additional spaces like Bede Community Primary school.
     
16. Would those serving in 0 to 14's ministry at 10am service be encouraged to attend the 4pm, and vice-versa?
    
    Yes, serving regularly should be balanced with being fed spiritually, and attending the other service is encouraged.
     
17. Why must we choose one or the other service?
    
    It will be really helpful for building ongoing relationships and consistency, but attending the other service occasionally is fine.
     
18. How do we avoid putting a strain on people serving at both services?
    
    It's important we care well for one another and are open if things are too much. We'd encourage most people to just serve at one service, but different people have different capacities. Feel free to get in touch to discuss this if it would be helpful.