Sept 25 - Monthly Message

Dear Church Family,

It’s such a joy to be back with you after 3 months away. I have missed being with you all, but it is so encouraging to hear of all that God has been doing in your midst during my absence. It was a blessing to come back into work on Monday and find that there wasn’t a large amount of email waiting to be answered and lots of things to be dealt with there and then, and that is largely down to Tina who has been managing my email inbox, and to Will and the Church Wardens who have shouldered the burden of leadership in my absence. It is so encouraging to have such a team around me as I lead the church, and to know that it’s in safe hands when I’m not around.

 

As to what I got up to, I spent the first 2 months of my time operating in retreat mode, spending time reading and praying, with a couple of weekends away, one at a conference in the Outer Hebrides and another with a ministry colleague who was also on sabbatical. It was good to have time where I could reconnect with God and reaffirm His call on my life. Church leadership is not easy, and there are moments when it’s tempting to step away and do something else, but the call is still there, and despite the hardships and trials of ministry, I have the conviction that it’s still what I’m supposed to be doing.

 

Over the summer we were able to go on Holiday to the USA as a family, spending a week on Colorado in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains, and then a week in Maryland, just north of Washington DC. Whilst it wasn’t all plain sailing, it was definitely a once in a lifetime experience, with spending time in the mountains being a particular highlight for us all. Below is a picture from 
the top of a mountain in the Rockies.

 

 

Over the 3 months I had the privilege of visiting a number of different churches across the region (and beyond). There are some great churches in our area, but I find myself concluding that there’s something uniquely special about BFPC. We’re not polished and perfect, but we are intentionally seeking to meet with God as we gather, and that is a value that I think sets us apart from a number of other places. Be encouraged that as a community we’re getting something right.

 

As I return to work the need to engage on a deeper level with making disciples and what that means for us as a church is most pressing. As a church we’ve been awarded the status of being a Mission Hub as part of the diocese’s vision and strategy. Now we have to discern what that means in the lived-out reality of our church. This Sunday I’ll be speaking in the morning on the call of discipleship as a signpost for what is coming ahead. Please do come along and join us as we come back together after the summer.

 

In line with the mission hub initiative we also set out a desire to get Youth Work provision up and running. I’m delighted to let you know that Youth provision (for 10-14yr olds) will be starting on Sunday mornings, initially on 2nd and 4th Sundays but hopefully growing in capacity in the near future. We’re also excited to announce that Wendy Hester will be joining the Staff Team whilst she trains for ordination at Sarum College with the desire to engage with young people in the town who currently don’t attend the church. We don’t know what this will look like yet, but we’ll keep you updated as plans emerge. 

 

In addition to this Debby Griffiths is joining the ministry team for 20 hrs a week as an Anna chaplain - heading up pastoral care and working with the care homes across the town. We’re really excited by what God is doing in Community Connections with Sue Metelko at the helm, and so we can’t wait to see what will happen with Sue and Debby working in partnership.

 

With all of this it is clear that God is drawing people in to the church to fulfil his purposes and plans for us as a church. It’s so exciting to think about what God can do if we’re willing to be obedient to that call. My prayer is that each of us will have the faith and the courage to surrender to God and allow him to use us to extend his kingdom. God can use anyone who’s willing to all Him to use them and is prepared to surrender to his leading and direction. It’s not always easy or comfortable but it definitely is worthwhile.

 

With all this in mind, I am praying with anticipation and discerning where God is leading. Please do join me in this as you spend time with the Lord in your own devotional times. I’m still convinced that prayer is the starting place for all that God wants to do in us and through us.

 

Blessings

 

Chris