Title above has nothing to do with what I am going to write, just some random thought that came into my head while trying to think of one.
Well I was beginning to think that very little was happening to challenge me in my Christian life when.... POW out of the blue comes a real wowser.
A very good friend of mine, and my spiritual dad, has decided that he wants to leave the church he has been in for the last 30 years or so. And no amount of persuation from me or others can make him change his mind.
And why, well he says that he has had a longing for a long time to serve with a community church.
The body of people we share the good news with is city centre based.
Now don't get me wrong, I have no problem with what he wants to do - evangalism in the local area - Alpha type course and other good stuff.
However, it's this serve bit.....
this guy was serving people already,
in love
in friendship,
in wisdom.
He has a real gift for talking to people
getting along side them
understanding their problems
helping them to resolve them.
Telling them straight when they were in the wrong.
Any new person who walked through the door, he was there.... making them welcome, introducing them to people of a similar character or people who would do them good. He has a real love for people.
He had a responsible position, that could only be a calling of God, where he was able to challenge accepted practices, keep the leadership on an even keel, keep the Pastor looking at all the options. And many other great assets.
If you told him all of the above to his face he would be very humble about it
Now don't get me wrong he was not perfect, like any of us.
You knew you needed bringing back on track when he said "Jem, can I come and see you." or "Have you just got five mins."And for the first few years of my Christian life I was scared of him. However, I was young and foolish and proud and stubborn like any fathers child and needed these "talks" :)
It wasn't in his nature to say "well done." or "just want you to know you are doing a great job."
To me the silences meant you were doing well:)
I love this guy and he has my greatest respect.
But I just can't get my head round this move at all.
When he announced his leaving, half the congregation tried to persuade him to change his mind.
On top of this there are other things happening within the church now which need his personal gifts and support.
Some people are saying it is political
Some people are saying it is an emotional response to something
But most people are saying it is wrong
Anyway, I think it is time for some of his own medicine "dad, have you got five mins."
I've got some questions for my dad. Expect a visit.
God Bless
Jem
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3 comments:
When I joined the church I also was scared of him but over the years you get to know him, and dosent become the ogre you expect.
I have had those chats and have been realy blessed by them, but I guess when god works in your life and puts things in your heart, then you have to obey or end up like Job.
Yes there are many changes in our church some may be good but others may not. If a church does not change (even if it's slowly) then it will curl up and die as people will leave, die or move away.
The church needs a constant supply of new blood and ideas, as long as its built in faith and based on the New Testament.
Thats all for now bro.
Well, to quote Uncle Peter, during the formation of the Kings Centre ect some years ago, (HC just couldn't fit the congregation in!)
"The only consistent thing about HC is change".
This time had to come some time, and I'm certain it's planned for, and however it's been described, as politics and wotnot - there's someone in leadership steering the ship, quietly and confidently.
Even tho' it might feel like it at times.
Uncle Pete's a clever old bird. It's his baby - nothing will have been left to chance. Keep in mind a church is a theocracy, not a democracy - and that's a reassurance.
Hello I got me a blog again ....
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