Our History - Background
Here in Deal, Kent, there was a growing number of people benefiting from the ministry of Peter Holmes and Susan Williams. In 1998 a group of these met with them, suggesting planting an independent congregation. They noted a need for a local congregation that would be a ‘safe place’ for people being helped, working through painful or tragic pasts. Or needing to ‘begin again’ in their relationship with God. Cautiously we all agreed, and Christ Church Deal (CCD) was born. The one-to-one Christ-centred healing journey model developed by Peter Holmes entered local church life.
Introducing Deal
Deal is a small coastal, former fishing town, that now suffers high unemployment and has lower than average salaries, partly because it is in one of the few areas of South East England currently beyond commuter distance from London. Also, being on no trunk roads it has little transit traffic, and only a modest holiday trade. It has been described as a ‘sleepy town’.
Introducing Christ Church Deal
Christ Church Deal could be described as a community built on the ‘solidarity of the shaken’. Most people initially join Christ Church because they have a personal need. The congregation has a number of unusual features, one of which is the migration of individuals and families to Deal to join the congregation, usually after previous help from Peter or Susan, or attending a Rapha workshop. Membership includes retired ministers and missionaries, the emotionally ill (see
'Developing a new model of care in the community(PRH)’), and those tired of urban life. Alongside CCD, because of the success of the church and the workshop programme, over 1000 have attended since 1998, we also have a network of over 20 Rapha support groups around UK. The members of CCD are key in supporting these ministries, see
www.lifegivingtrust.org
Discovering we were a Therapeutic Community
As the community grew the basic teaching of Peter and Susan began to be adopted and changed in a positive way by the members of the community. Through the social process (relationship learning) and the Rapha journey people began to adapt the Biblical principles to their own unique needs. This created what is called a narrative or ‘story-telling’ culture, where experiences and benefits are shared. This whole process was therapeutic in nature, and led us to admitting we were a Christ-centred community, but also a therapeutic community TC). One of the few TC’s in UK that is also a church (see
Affiliations)
Created on 05/27/2006 05:14 PM by andrewh
Updated on 08/22/2008 05:16 PM by rachaelvdg
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