A welcome for all in Blackpool

The move for Layton Methodist Church near Blackpool to become inclusive wasn’t one single decision. It grew over time, shaped by conversations within the church, listening to people’s lived experiences and honest reflections on what it means to follow Jesus in our community. Mark Walmsley shares the story of Layton Methodist Church's inclusive journey.

We’ve had moments where we’ve been challenged. But those moments mattered as they helped us see that inclusion isn’t an optional extra, rather part of our Christian calling to love, welcome and value people as they are.

For us, an inclusive welcome is about people feeling safe, respected and able to be themselves the moment they walk through the door. A good welcome is warm, consistent and genuine. It’s not about asking people to explain who they are or where they fit, but about making space for them to belong.

Being inclusive has helped us build trust and stronger relationships, both within the congregation and across the wider community. Many people first connect with us through community activities and events rather than worship, and that has been important. Through our Forward Project and the wider life of the church, people experience welcome, dignity and care in practical, everyday ways. The Forward Project is part of Layton Methodist Church Charity and forms the church’s community outreach arm. Operating six days a week from the church site, it responds to the significant challenges facing our area, including poverty, isolation and health inequality. That has shaped how the church is seen locally.

We promote ourselves by doing rather than saying. It’s reflected in how we lead, how we host events, how we work in partnership and how people experience the church each day. When we talk about inclusion publicly, we keep it simple, calm and honest.

This has been a process of listening carefully, avoiding assumptions and focusing on people rather than labels. Our inclusion is shown far more in everyday behaviour than in statements or policies. How people are spoken to, included and treated over time really matters.

For us, inclusion is rooted in faith. We see it as a response to God’s grace and to Jesus’s example of welcoming those who were often overlooked or excluded. It’s part of how we try to live out the gospel in ordinary, practical ways.