Under the heading of ‘Church Life’ we seek as an Association to enable and support each other in our continuing development as disciples of Christ.

There are a wonderful variety of contexts for Baptist congregations in HEBA and for each of those churches maintaining a healthy life is crucial if they are to be a faithful witness within their local community.

There are two main categories within the remit of the Church Life Strategy Group:

• Discipleship/ Spirituality – This is concerned with the nurture and development of all the people within our churches. Encouraging discipleship includes the learning and training we offer to individuals and churches, the exercise of ministry gifts and, foundational to all we do within the life of the local church, the continual developing of our walk with God both individually and as a local fellowship. This category also addresses the need for good and spiritually-grounded relationships within the local church, amongst our Baptist churches and in the partnerships we share in the broader Church.

• Inclusion – Here we seek to address the nature of being a truly inclusive community and the means by which we can support local churches as they address a wide variety of issues. Within this area of work we include: Children and Young People; Safeguarding; Gender; Human Sexuality; Ethnicity; Disability and Healing/Wholeness.