02/04/10 125 and still counting
The people who were responsible for the Church took some bold steps to form a set of premises on a prime location. Although the church has undergone several ‘makeovers’ it provides an excellent set of facilities from which to minister. Many new people have been on the site for a range of activities in the last few years. We have hosted Keswick in Devon; welcomed schools for Harvest and Christmas. In January we even gave one school a home for a few days while their heating was down. The Parish Church lived with us for nine months while their church was renovated. I could go on but we all know the place is busy, well used, and welcoming.
Busy doesn’t always equate with successful, and in every generation the Church must guard against being too busy to be spiritual. Worship, Prayer, Fellowship and Outreach are early casualties in a fellowship that gets motivated and then forgets why they are doing it. Throughout the history of this church such issues will have been real concerns for the people who have served here and we are no different.
The bible deals with this matter in a number of stories. James gives very sound advice to any church fellowship as they wrestle with the balance between faith and deeds. “What good is it my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds?................In the same way faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by actions, is dead. (James 2:14-17+)
Now this may be a useful time to make such an observation as various post are available, more projects are unfolding designed to ensure the churches future. We need assistance from our membership to take this work forward For some of you it may be a time to cease doing one job and take on a new challenge; it might be even time to shift from your comfort zone. It could be the time to attend the prayer meeting or the bible study for a change.
We have made brilliant contacts with a lot of people and many are interested in what goes on here. If we build on this work then the church will celebrate its future with more people in this fellowship. And each of them will have an opportunity to find faith. However faith and deeds present a daily challenge to all in order to serve God.
Happy Anniversary
Brian