Sundays are special because it’s the day that I join millions of others throughout the world in celebrating the fact that Jesus defeated death as clearly as Anthony Joshua defeated Joseph Parker a few weeks ago.

Having said that though some Sundays are especially special. Like the one I had a few weeks ago. It began like any other with me preaching in a local church. But I found myself unexpectedly encouraged by that particular congregation’s generous approach to life and their readiness to “step out of the box” and do something new. Sadly too many churches find that just a little bit too hot to handle.

And this was followed by a wonderful time in the Town Hall when ‘Messy Church’ held yet another dedication service.

It may not have been overflowing but the Town Hall was certainly more reminiscent of Carew Market than a graveyard, and I found myself thanking God for yet another chance to talk to people who would never normally darken the doors of a traditional church.

And I must admit that always gives me a buzz because I agree with something Linda Rayner wrote recently.

“In many families” she said “there are at least three generations of people who have grown up without learning about Jesus, have no idea about how to behave in a traditional church, and have no understanding of the language that is used in a church setting (can we explain a hymn, an anthem, Eucharist, Collect, Psalm, prayer?)

And she continued “Most churchgoers can recount stories of the baptismal party who had no idea about how to behave in church, but those same churchgoers struggle to explain why traditional church is as it is.

For people with no church background, church can seem alienating and excluding, even when the members are doing their best to be welcoming. (Rayner is “Fresh Expressions Coordinator” for the United Reformed Church)

In some ways Town Hall Messy Church is a typical example of a “Fresh Expressions” church even though, in reality, no two “fresh expressions” are identical. But they do all have one thing in common: they are driven by a determination to reach those who don’t go to church, and they are willing to do whatever it takes to reach those who have no interest in church yet have a God shaped hole in their lives.

And these adventurous souls seem to be doing something right too because the latest research seems to show that the majority of those attending a typical “fresh expression” have either given up on traditional church or have no contact with it whatsoever.

But does that really matter. I reckon it does and for one simple reason: as a society we’re in a mess. And if you doubt it just stop and reflect for a moment on the fact that knife crime across the UK rose by a staggering 21 per cent in the 12 months to September 2017 – and London now has a higher murder rate than New York. Do I need to say any more?

Like William Wilberforce I’d like to see goodness become fashionable again. In other words I want the Biblical narrative to shape the way we think and behave as a county.

More specifically I want Jesus to become an ever attractive role model for those of us who live in a culture that has discarded Him but is now reaping the consequences. That’s what the church is supposed to be here for.

Rob James is a Baptist Pastor broadcaster and writer who currently operates as a church and media consultant for the Evangelical Alliance Wales. He is available for preaching and teaching throughout Wales and can be contacted at [email protected]