Some Recent History of Toxteth Tabernacle. . .
The faith time and energy of lot's of people over a very long time has borne fruit.
Toxteth Tabernacle has become a centre for community activity, and here's how it has all unfolded over recent years.
Early mistakes 1990-91What do you do with a building that makes so many negative statements? ‘Please keep out’ states the menacing fence. ‘Come in’ if you dare climb the forbidding steps. For many it is the epitome of a past age but now may say that ‘God is irrelevant’. A social, financial and even spiritual liability.
The answer was to clearly to bring it down-quickly!
Dreams were dreamed. Plans were made. Architects were employed to a small congregation.
Enormous sums of money passed lightly across our lips...but try as we may it would not come down! We were too hasty. Perhaps too big for our boots. Too presumptuous. Too proud. Instead of small steps to faith that build strong spiritual muscle we assumed we could take a giant leap of our own, way ahead of time.
Two visiting ladies, one in the morning and one in the evening, put us back on track. The morning word was a picture. A huge crane with a ball on the end, the sort that demolishes buildings in a few crushing swipes, heading for the Tab The lady sat down. Two people in unison said, ‘what happened?’. The reply...’it missed!’
The evening word was equally straightforward ‘God says, take your hands off the building and it will show you in due time what it can do’ We folded up the plans, paid off the architects and said ‘sorry’ to the bemused church. ‘We may make our plans, but God has the last word’.
It was not the obedient step that God had outlined in Exodus 25:9 but a timely lesson in how to take things slowly, building step by step, and waiting for His perfect timing.
Primarily such partnerships have been about people who have shared their lives, prayers and gifts with us. Students who have sacrificed their lives away from the trendy and ‘student’ churches in order to leave something of themselves in the heart of the city. Many have endeared themselves to local families and individuals by their simple love, persevering service and genuine concern for people. Class and culture has been invisible in such a climate.
Others such as our ‘Careforce’ workers - Leah, Peter, Jo, Kate and Amy, who have invested a year serving the church and community, and in some cases, experienced the Jeremiah storey...`build houses (or buy)! Settle down, plant gardens, marry, have sons and daughters, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you will too prosper' Jeremiah 29:5-7
Level 3 Opened - 1996
Some of the fruit of visiting in the first year (1989) now became evident almost 5 years on. Patience is not just a virtue in city work it is vital!!
Talks with the Chief Education Welfare Officer, Reg Quirk, in 1989 revealed a small, but soon to explode, level of school exclusions. One cameo lad of 11 years who was likely too remain out of mainstream education led me to say Reg - "One day I would love to compliment your work in our 3,000 square meters of semi-derelict basement".....
The vision was born in that moment but awaited a fulfilment time in plans God had for us, plus an expected £250,000 to transform the basement into a hi-tec skills school.
Work to the interior began in 1993.
Our faithful partners Mike and Richard, plus a number of unemployed local men began a process that would last over three years with even later additions five years later!! Another huge leap of faith with no initial resource.
As we prayed, worked hard on trust-funding and did what we could so that small and significantly sized amounts of money came in. Trust fund managers who had trusted us with relatively small amounts of money for Playgroup and Stepping Stones, and who subsequently saw the quality of our work, now invested much larger sums. We too learned to stop asking for crumbs, and went for loaves instead! We still got crumbs, but some large helpings of bread also.
The faith that trusted God for such was infectious and from time to time really impacted the lives of our casual workers. God became real in meeting daily need. We had treated them with dignity by investing the best in terms of wages, now they could see how God was being generous to his people as they relied on Him for miracles of provision. A present sign in Level 3 states ‘we don’t just rely on miracles we believe in them!’ there where many such miracles in the early days of building, as there have been through the six years of operating the school.
As local men took stories back to a local and fairly tight-knit community so the perception of who we are and what God is like began to slowly change. We were beginning to win hearts through our patient and largely un-paraded work of serving the community.
Over three years our ‘Bezalels’ (see Exodus 31:1-5) Richard and Mike, camped with us, and along with countless individuals and professionals built with zeal, skills and endless late nights! The vision was born of God but the hard work belonged to the people who shared the dream and offered themselves, wholeheartedly, to be part of its fulfilment.
As the physical rot and dereliction gave way to new beams and floors so we recognised, in symbol and sign, that the rot of sin could one day be removed from human lives and structural powers in our city and community.
Charitable status - 1997
Though the various ministries begun in 1990 had been given the title ‘The Vine Project’ it wasn’t until 1997 that we eventually received charitable status. Behind that event lay at least two years to pave the way only to be told on the last minute that we couldn’t keep the name ‘The Vine Project’. Several meetings later, and much paper work, we eventually settled with ‘Toxteth Vine Project’ as the name of the charity.
For those not familiar with the Charity Law or practice it is quite a step to be trust into the world of endless legislation, Trustee’s Meetings and responsibilities, with a consistently positive outcome. Our present waiting list is almost as long as the daily intake of 25! A number of different religions are represented, as well as none, but all now are Christian Pre-School. After 11 years we know have past playgroups and pre-schoolers in our Kid’s Club. The fruit of past input in present practice.
Changes are in view as we move to afternoon sessions for the 2+’s and seek to raise around £30,000 for further release of space in our upper-hall.
Along side the school we have offered parents training in NVQ’s, time in the school, and access to job information. Trainees have come from local agencies and students from our level 3 skills-schools have been given time to relate to children and staff. From time to time staff become confidants and the opportunity to listen, identify with struggle and offer help and prayer is afforded. God is at work, often in ways we cannot quantify or naturally discern.
Playgroup 1990 - Pre school 1999Some 13 months after arrival we took the first step in responding to community need. The Neighbourhood survey revealed playgroup need as the no.1 requirement. Mums and Tots had been tried, but with little success. Most people wanted to leave their children, not stay with them!! The need for space, other children at home or the chance to gain some part-time work or training, were all reasons for Playgroup, rather than Mums and Tots.
Starting such a venture was a massive leap of faith given the fact that we couldn’t really afford a Pastor!
Our hall needed changes to cater for a playgroup. Five staff would need to come, most of whom needs paying! 25 2-4 year olds needed equipment-lots of it! By the grace of God, the faithfulness of the volunteers led by Joyce Ritchie, and the first embryonic excursions into `trust-funding` both money and staff arrived, so did children! Within weeks we had a waiting list that lasted 11 years!
Three years ago the playgroup became a pre-school with all the massive changes that brings.
More staff, better standard of teaching, curricula, Ofsted inspections!.... As in times past, the reputation for love, care and excellence continues to draw more families than we can take. We are unashamedly Christian in our ethos, practice and teaching.
This has occasionally brought us in to conflict with the authorities but we have fought each battle with prayer and faith these gifts. With 54 Church Members and 18 paid staff it is a daily act of faith and trust that what is needed will be in place. It is no different today than it was 12 years ago when the first few steeps of faith were taken. God never allows us to bask in our `resources so that we lose touch with Him. Faith, spelt `RISK`, is our watchword and we prey it will always be that way.
New Ministries 1999 -2000Children's and Family Worker
Cheryl Cross was our first Children & Family Worker back in 1999. For some time she had expressed some real heart to reach 5-11’s with the gospel. Thoughts ranged from Rio `Street-Kids` to some of their roots in Zimbabwe, and probably a few other places in between! Then in 1999 she discovered it was Toxteth!
It was no surprise when she resigned as a teacher and expressed a desire to work full-time in the Tab as our Children’s and Family Worker. She launched out in faith and holds the record for the quickest salary reception; a mere 3 weeks after commencing work her salary was secured courtesy of a local ‘family trust’ `
Within the first two years on we were rejoicing at the way in which the work had progressed with a part-time post in Pre-School, a weekly Kid’s Club which incorporates a weekly visit to every home in partnership with a very committed KC Team.
Breakfast Clubs at the local school, assemblies, class-support and the starting of a Mums & Tots group were all part of Cheryl’s Club with Community ‘away-days’ Family Services and Kid’s Bible Study Group thrown in!! This is besides endless contact with the local community.
Cheryl's role was developed further and superseded by Amy in 2003.
'City Ministries' Outreach Worker - 2000
Andy Ovens had been worshipping with us for about three years as he finished a Master’s Degree in Computing. Following completion, he took up a two year post with Friends International reaching both UK and overseas students through friendship, study groups and supporting Christian Unions. Growing contact with members of other faith communities led Andy to seek God’s will on the completion of his two year post with Friends International. After a number of possible options, much prayer and sharing together, Andy entered into a partnership with Action Partners and the Tab. In the first few years of ministry he made contact with many students, individuals and families across the city. Several trips have been made overseas in order to gain insight, knowledge and identify with other cultures and beliefs.
Language groups, bible studies, friendship opportunities are almost more than Andy can cope with such is the hand of God upon this work, across the nation at this time. Several dozen people have become Christians across the city and many have been baptised in a number of different churches. Excellent teaching seminars have brought up to 200 people eager to discover more about reaching those of other faiths for Jesus. We praise God for Andy’s faith, trust and commitment to practical care. We also look further to further blessings and encouragement in the years to come.
IF YOU WOULD BE INTERESTED IN SUPPORTING ANDY OR HAVING HIM COME AND SPEAK AT YOUR CHURCH OR CELL GROUP, PLEASE RING US HERE AT THE TAB 0151-709-1907
Marina Developments - 2001For some 12 years we have watched an old South Dock site become a new, highly professional and up-market development of very expensive apartments.
Technically it is Toxteth, but it wouldn’t be wise to tell the new residents!
This is part, along with other churches, of ‘our’ parish. The contrast across a busy dock road couldn’t be more surreal; on the left out of town, the old Toxteth streets. Rows of two up two down terraces-the old docker's streets. On the right dozens of yachts, powerboats, and cruises.
The fragrance of ‘richness’ with £150,000 apartments and £200,000 Penthouses over looking the Marina, harbour side yacht club, and the River itself. Lawyers and Doctors abound. Porches and BMW’s are common.
As we have walked and prayed, over 12 years, so God has given us a heart to see a witness and a work established on this site.
There is no infrastructure, no shops, nothing to enhance community apart from the yacht club, and certainly no church.
A place, so apparently so idyllic, secure and with tailor-made leisure, yet lacking a heart. Lots of wealth, endless technology - but a spiritual desert.
Following a visitation last Christmas, when videos, cards and letters were distributed to many homes, we have gained a small number of contacts.
In September, we were able to start a small cell group in the home of local residents who are Christians from Frontline Church.
Slowly a small praying and caring group is emerging, and we look forward to seeing God's purpose coming to fruition on this key site.
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Finance
It is a staggering story, to recall that we have seen around £2million come and go in the last 17 years. Most of that has come from the regular, generous, and often sacrificial giving of prayer-partners, friends and even strangers!
We never cease to be amazed at the amount of time many have given, especially that of the members of the Management Committees overseeing each part of the Charity’s work.
It is tribute to the gifts, not only of the trustees, but those serving on management committees, that we have not had any serious problems to date.
The Charity now has a yearly budget approaching £200,000.
As we have grown so the need for good communication and understanding between the Charity and the church has become a central issue and one that requires wisdom and grace at every level.
Toxteth Tab is also a member, associate or supportter of the following networks and organisations:
National Organisations:
Partners in Local Mission:
Toxteth & Wavetree Evangelical Assocation (TWEA) - network of local evangelical churches
Current Cross-Cultural Mission Partner Organisations:
