As I write this post this morning the sun is streaming through the house, pushing away the night and doing everything possible to wake people up in a cheerful mood! So why have I headed this post 'A Sad Day'? Well, later on this afternoon I'll be going to a sister church in Liverpool for a Dissolution Service. It's closure has been brought about for several reasons. First and foremost is the condition of the building. Like many of our older churches the congregation has declined over the past few years, primarily due to what is euphemistically referred to as 'natural wastage', but also because there has been an exodus from the area of the building due to impending redevelopment. The majority of the properties in the church vicinity have been closed up because the whole area is scheduled for a major redevelopment. The church building itself is an old building, and there are structural repairs needed that are way beyond the financial capabilities of the tiny congregation, which often is reduced to few more than a handful for the fortnightly services. I'm sorry that the photo is fuzzy, but I've had to lift it from a key-ring!
So, it's a matter of the inevitable having been faced by the committed few who have laboured on in that place. But it's not all doom and gloom! Far from it! Churches are planted where there is a need as part of a visionary Mission, but, as we see from Paul's example in the Bible, when called to fulfil a Mission it does not mean that the Mission is infinite. With the closure of this church it will mean that the remnant will join with other congregations, taking to those congregations a blessing through their joining.
Sometimes it's hard for us to accept that change is in the order of things, for we are creatures of habit by and large, often preferring the familiar to the new. Yet the need is to embrace the new with the same excitement that children have when they venture out beyond the garden gate for the first time. The most important thing is to ensure that we are always in the Lord's will, fulfilling whatever Mission He has called us to. Age is no barrier to the work, neither is the work necessarily confined to a particular building. These are important facts to understand, and when we do then we see our calling from a different perspective.
The real facts are that there has been a great and faithful witness from this building over several generations. The saints that have fulfilled the 'Call to Arms' over the years have been faithful'
even unto death', and now their task as far as this particular building is over. Yet, for those who make up the remnant, their mission continues. I believe that as long as we draw breath then God has work for us to do. It may be that their new mission is to be Prayer Warriors, . . . who knows what the Lord has planned?
Yes, it will be a sad day in many aspects, but it will be an exciting one as well, for with the casting off of the old, however familiar, comes the birthing of the new. I ask you, dear reader, to join with me in praying for the spiritual well-being of the remnant of that congregation, and praying that they will discover what the Lord is calling them to do in the next phase of their Mission lives.
You can learn a little about the church by clicking here.
So, it's a matter of the inevitable having been faced by the committed few who have laboured on in that place. But it's not all doom and gloom! Far from it! Churches are planted where there is a need as part of a visionary Mission, but, as we see from Paul's example in the Bible, when called to fulfil a Mission it does not mean that the Mission is infinite. With the closure of this church it will mean that the remnant will join with other congregations, taking to those congregations a blessing through their joining.
Sometimes it's hard for us to accept that change is in the order of things, for we are creatures of habit by and large, often preferring the familiar to the new. Yet the need is to embrace the new with the same excitement that children have when they venture out beyond the garden gate for the first time. The most important thing is to ensure that we are always in the Lord's will, fulfilling whatever Mission He has called us to. Age is no barrier to the work, neither is the work necessarily confined to a particular building. These are important facts to understand, and when we do then we see our calling from a different perspective.
The real facts are that there has been a great and faithful witness from this building over several generations. The saints that have fulfilled the 'Call to Arms' over the years have been faithful'
even unto death', and now their task as far as this particular building is over. Yet, for those who make up the remnant, their mission continues. I believe that as long as we draw breath then God has work for us to do. It may be that their new mission is to be Prayer Warriors, . . . who knows what the Lord has planned?
Yes, it will be a sad day in many aspects, but it will be an exciting one as well, for with the casting off of the old, however familiar, comes the birthing of the new. I ask you, dear reader, to join with me in praying for the spiritual well-being of the remnant of that congregation, and praying that they will discover what the Lord is calling them to do in the next phase of their Mission lives.
You can learn a little about the church by clicking here.
1 comment:
Sorry to hear about it. Popping in to say hi from my parent's house. I miss reading your posts. Have a blessed week!!!!
Natalie
Koinonia Community
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