25 years ago in 1984. . . . . .
1984 was the title of George Orwell’s book predicting a totalitarian state and then happened to be the year that some ‘talking’ CCTV cameras were to be introduced into some of Britain’s city centres! Margaret Thatcher and her Conservative Party was the target of bombers at The Grand Hotel, Brighton, and Desmond Tutu won the Nobel Peace Prize. The famine in Ethiopia contributed to Bob Geldof starting “Band Aid” and Liverpool won the English League and European Cup. The Royals were playing in the third tier of English football!
In the spring of 84’ I was relaxing in the bath one evening when suddenly God spoke to me about leaving my job with my father and working for the church. I spoke with church leader Eric Bird about what I believed I had heard God say and he told me God had said the same thing to him! Six months later I was travelling backwards and forwards to London Bible College whilst taking on the pastoral role at Hilltop Church.
Whilst serving God and His people in the church is a real privilege, there are many ups and downs to be encountered along the way. Anita and I have always tried to be relational in our approach to working with people, which in turn requires vulnerability. Sometimes we get hurt when long term relationships finish and it’s time to move on. There have been a few of these over the years and when there has been friction, in most cases God has brought healing and some restoration over time. We remain very grateful for friends who have, and continue to journey with us – such have been God’s gifts to us just to keep us going.
Expectations have been hard to deal with, not least those we have of ourselves. As human beings we get confused and tired by trying to respond to too many situations that come our way – as well as pushing ourselves to somehow prove our value. We so love being part of a leadership team where we can be ourselves and share honestly and openly, and where the team members help us to focus time on the right situations in front of us.
As God’s people I believe He puts into us a calling and life messages that we should seek to outwork and communicate. The 25 year ‘mark’ has provoked me to reflect on what I consider some of the key messages and themes that I have been made to ‘bring.’ In no particular order I bring these for you the reader to consider or re-consider:
The Messages
- Influential Nobodies (1 Corinthians 1:26-31)
God uses ordinary people to be an influence for Him and His kingdom. Influence is great no matter how “big” it is, and we can influence for good or for bad. Bad experiences can lock people up for a long time. Good experiences can shape life choices and priorities.
- The Relational Purpose of Truth (Matthew 22:37-40)
Scripture provides us with instructions for belief and behaviour, but the heart of bible truth is to lead us into a deepening relationship with God and those around us. The bible reveals the truth about God’s nature and heart, as well as His redemption plan for humanity. The priorities are to love God with everything and to love our neighbours as we love ourselves (which in itself can be a common problem!).
- Unity in the church and city (Psalm 133)
My conviction is that unity is so important in creating the atmosphere - the fertile ground for the effectiveness of the gospel. It’s important to understand that unity is not experienced by simply agreeing doctrine or practice but rather when we actually live what Jesus and the bible teach us. Genuine unity can often be measured by the diversity and proliferation of ideas and projects that help demonstrate and reveal God’s Kingdom. I believe this will continue and grow in creativity in the coming days. We are in such an exciting season in and around Reading, working with others.
- Priesthood (1 Peter 2:9-10)
Re-discovering the truth about every believer’s priesthood is critical in understanding that we are all called to “full-time” ministry. Paul says to the Ephesian Church that all the fullness of God is to be revealed through the church. We are His representatives, ambassadors – revealing Jesus in the ‘world’ we live in.
- Kingdom of God and being salt and light (Matthew 6:33 & John 1:14)
If we focus on the kingdom and live its principles and values wholeheartedly, the church will grow in commitment, power and love. Jesus will build His church if we use the keys of the kingdom. We are to be incarnationally minded as we go about our day-to-day business. Being salt and light is exercising our priesthood with consistency, wherever God calls us to live, work and spend our time.
- Environmental Leadership (Romans 12:8)
Leading diligently must be about enabling God’s people to discover, embrace and fulfil God’s purposes. It’s about perceiving, enabling, guarding, protecting and nurturing God’s prophetic environment. Hearing His voice and acting to help make it happen. Helping people experience wholeness in order to be a disciple and help make disciples of others. Environmental leaders are secure leaders!
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