Categories: uncategorized
Date: 11 July 2007 15:44:07
A few days ago someone asked me if it had started to grow yet. I must admit that I didn't know how to answer properly. Now I've had some time to think I can.
We left our previous Chapel partly because we'd moved 15 miles away and the commute back and for was too much, especially as we'd have to return every other Sunday to lead the youth group. Yet there was also the fact that, after 29.25 years I'd just had enough.
Readers will remember that I'd organised a period of reflection and preparation during our 50 anniversary. Unfortunately nothing had come out of this. Yes, we'd had the questionnaire and feedback but nothing else. We had a discussion in the deacon's meetings and agreed that things had to be done but nothing ever was. Well not unless I did it.
What with stress at work and stress in church I just felt that enough was enough. I also had personal issues with our minister and her lack of leadership and pastoral care. It always appeared that many members were neglected while she looked after her favourites. Whenever she was asked about this she'd get defensive and angry. Don't get me wrong; in many ways she's a good minister but preaching alone isn't enough.
During the period she'd been with us we had had a time of growth but it petered out and nothing seemed to happen afterwards. She launched initiatives but did so without planning and, sometimes, without telling the deacons or members.
One of things I've always noticed about Welsh churches is that they often look back 100 years to the Great Revival. I think that they've seen this through rose tinted spectacles and never actually learnt the lessons from it.
Prayer alone is not enough. At some point people actually have to do something as well. Repenting sinners does not come about unless they hear the message. If they won't come into church and church won't go to them, then how do they hear?
Church members also have to insure that their own lives are right before God; can we really say that ours are? I know that areas of mine aren't and acknowledge that there is work to be done on myself.
Now I find that we've joined a Chapel where growth has been prayed for but not yet arrived. Its an elderly congregation but the thing I've noticed already is that they want to move on. They are faithful in prayer, not just for themselves but for the surrounding areas in the valley. People there actually work, and want to work, at increasing God's family.
One thing about Calvinism that really ****'s me off is the belief that God has already selected who will, and will not, be saved. If that's the case then why did Jesus die for us? Nowhere does He say that God's glory is limited in space and has a dress code at the Pearly Gates. So why should Calvinists actually preach to anyone outside their churches? It's pointless as nothing we do, according to Calvin, will change God's plan for mankind.
Yet if we don't live the gospel and share the gospel then we won't be following Jesus' commandment to us in Matthew 25 v34-36 + 40. Its not enough to welcome Jesus as our saviour. It wasn't enough for Him or his early followers. The acceptance of Grace brings with it a duty for the future.
So, no it hasn't started growing yet. It will but we'll have to do something to help it along. After all plants don't grow unless they're planted and watered.