March 2011
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To know Christ and to make him known
Dear Friends, The nation is already gearing up for the royal wedding. Much information and speculation abounds with regard to the bride and the bridegroom and the details of the day. Commemorative paraphernalia is already appearing. Two young ladies - secretaries at a school I visit - had coasters which declared “Never mind there is still one prince left” (Harry)! The marriage of Prince William and Catherine Middleton has already begun to fill media space and I suspect increasing focus will be on the bride, especially on the day of the wedding (29th April). In a book on church growth that I am reading which is co-authored by Paul Stokes and 2 others, he has a section headed “Fatal Error : loving the bride more than the bridegroom.” The church is described as the bride of Christ and it is not difficult to understand why we love the bride (the church). Despite its failings, it has been the catalyst for change, much of which has revolutionised society. Many have been brought up in the church. Having lived in a vicarage I had no choice ! We look back with gratitude to the teaching we have received and those who have lovingly shared our spiritual walk with us. Many within the church have inspired us, comforted us, supported us, helped us along our spiritual walk and believed in us. Back in history there are those who inspired the Reformation which eventually led to the foundation of our denomination. The church for many is the tangible expression of the presence of Jesus in our community. It has been the means by which many have come to faith and grown in that faith. What I feel I need to guard against is that of my worship slipping into something I switch on on a Sunday morning and finding myself becoming submerged in the busyness of church activities and the maintaining of a human organisation that needs “constant oiling and repair” *. Do you identify with that ? I need to stop and ask what is it that focuses my attention ? Is it the bride or is it the bridegroom ? Does the institution receive more of my love than does the One whose body on earth it is? We have made some interesting strides together in seeking to follow in the footsteps of our Lord and Saviour, and we, as a church, are trusting Him together to show us the way forward. I sense some exciting things ahead if we remain in the centre of His will and follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit. It was good to host the week-end on “Igniting Prayer” and it was encouraging to see people from 7 different churches meeting together to learn more about conversing with God. We were reminded of the emphasis on listening to God as an important part of our conversation. May we all continue to pray without ceasing for God’s agenda for our church. With my love, David * Page 29“Growing the Church in the power of the Holy Spirit” by Brad Long, Paul Stokes & Cindy Strickler published by Zondervan |
