Thank you for your great feedback on the month of mission focus where we heard from wonderful speakers from various missional focussed organisations; CMS, Fusion, God’s dreaming, Hands at work in Africa. Each of these seek to further the Kingdom of God in the mission fields God has given them. Each of us have our own mission field too. I wonder whom God is calling you to witness to? … To share the Gospel with?… to invite to Church?
Last Sunday we looked at the 'one another' commands in the New Testament, reminding us to love and care for one another, encouraging us to grow to more like Jesus, and be good witnesses to this around us. Being a loving, caring, welcoming Church is part of the mission God has given us. In my prayer time this morning I expressed to God that I want our Church to be more accessible for our older folk, and more attractive to the younger generations God brings in. I’m prayerfully depending on Him for what is needed to change, develop and grow. A few months ago, at a “Leading your Church to Growth” conference, Gillian and I were inspired to pray for the growth of our Church. We recognise that it’s God who grows the church as we all play our part in mission, discipleship, worship and pastoral care. We continually look to him for vision and guidance to help us “be” the church he has called us to be in our current time & culture. Thus, we have adopted this prayer.. above. This of course supports our church’s vision which is on the back of the post cards Gillian has skilfully designed for us (you can get one next Sunday at Church if you missed out last week). We hope you will choose to pray this prayer often. You may like to put it on the fridge or in your bible, or wherever you will be reminded to pray. Prayer needs to undergird everything we do, so all is done in accordance with God’s will and purposes. It’s ultimately all about him, not us! We would also like to invite you to join us for a “Leading your church to growth” local course. We will meet together over 6 months, on the third Wednesday evening of each month beginning June 21, at 7pm. Come expectant of being encouraged and brainstorm how we can work with God in HIs plans to grow our church. Together, we will join with other local churches over zoom. If this is something you’d like to take part in, please join us. All who care about our Church’s growth are welcome! You might also like to check out the link to the UK LYCIG website: https://www.leadingyourchurchintogrowth.org.uk If you’d like more information please speak to Gillian or myself. If this doesn’t appeal to you, you may like to prayerfully consider joining our Pastoral Care Connections network, or our welcoming ministry team which we are currently developing. God is already doing some great stuff here behind the scenes! Its great to partner with Him in His mission here in this place. This coming Sunday is Pentecost and we will seek to gain more understanding of the Spirit’s power for living out God’s purposes and mission in the world. I will also have the joy and privilege of baptising two children - Evie and Mia. Please pray for them and their family and friends, that they will continually seek to follow Jesus all the days of their lives. May we each be inspired by the Holy Spirit this week for all He’s called us to do.
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