Pastor’s Thoughts – September 2012

Dear friends,

There comes a limit to the number of times that you can say “we’re nearly there!” It is safe to say that very few building projects actually go according to schedule. I imagine they had much the same problem with Stonehenge! Our centre is no exception to this rule. At the time of writing this we are expecting practical completion of the building in about 10 days time. Practical completion is one of those technical terms that means that just about everything is done but there may be a couple of loose ends to tie up. From this point we can finish the fitting out process and begin to think seriously about actually using the building.

What I can’t tell you yet is when we will be holding our first services in the new building. You will have to watch this space – as they say – and we will announce it as soon as possible. What I can tell you is that we are taking part in a nationwide campaign on 23rd September which is called The Big Welcome. This will be an opportunity to invite friends along and to invite back those that may have been involved in the church in the past. Hopefully an opportunity to see our new centre will be an excuse for all of us to invite someone. The following week (30th) we will be having the first baptism service in the new building.

Before either of these things happen it is our intention to have an opportunity to pray through the building and offer it all back to the Lord. That will be on a Sunday evening as soon as we can arrange it.

Before that we are occupied with different business. Members will know from the letter that I sent out recently that in seeking the Lord for a successor to Patrick as Youth Minister, we have been led to one of our own members as his possible replacement. Garry has been a member of this church for nearly 10 years and those that have read his profile will see what it is that he brings to youth ministry. Please pray for Garry and Jenny and for those that will be involved in this process which will ultimately bring us to a church meeting on the 20th September for the Church to decide whether this is what God is calling us all to. This is an important responsibility that we all have and I hope you will make note of that date.

So despite the uncertainty about occupation we are simply going ahead with the business of being
Church. All our vagueness about the future is understandable but there is no uncertainty as far as God is concerned. He is not taken by surprise at the way events unfold. He has always known exactly how our path would unfold. All our planning, in the end, is about being ready for what He wants to do. This is not fatalism but the reality of living in relationship with the One who knows everything.

In Isaiah 40:13-14 the Lord reminds us of His ability to see things as none of us can: “Who can fathom the Spirit of the Lord, or instruct the Lord as his counsellor? Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge, or showed him the path of understanding?”

His understanding far exceeds ours in every area. Meanwhile our task is summed up in some other
words from Isaiah 52:7: “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’ “

Let us proclaim that truth as loudly as we can.

Yours in Christ

John