In the almost 50 years in which I have been active in rural ministry and mission I have often spoken about the fact of what God can do with a little. You may have heard or read a quote I first heard from Rupert Hambira, a Congregational minister from Botswana. He said, "If you think you are too small to be significant for God then you have never spent a night in a room with a mosquito". Yes, it is amazing what God can do with a few loaves and fishes that are placed into his hand. Small churches should not despair for God is well able to work through them as they respond surrendered to God's will.
Over the last few days I have found my thoughts running along similar lines once again, only this time instead of thinking that no one and nothing is too small within God's plans, I have been dwelling on the fact that it is possible to be too great for God. Perhaps the seed was sown last Thursday morning in our village Bible Discussion Group at Yelvertoft where we explored 1 Corinthians 1 to 4. We noted that the first issue of concern that Paul addresses - divisions - covers all of the first four chapters. It is that important. We noted that the theme of these four chapters as well as addressing divisions within the church, could be summed up as 'it's all about God'. Paul introduces himself as an ambassador of God. His letter is addressed to the church of God at Corinth. He reminds them that their salvation only exists because God has called them. He tells them that he, Apollos, and Peter are merely the servants of God and nothing in themselves. The very gospel they have believed is extremely simple so that believing it is no great intellectual credit, but it is the power of God unto salvation.
It is here that Paul points out that God takes the foolish and the weak, so that no human can boast in himself or herself. I was left with a distinct opinion that in God's economy small and weak is beautiful. But the spirit of the world seems to drive many in our churches towards becoming bigger and stronger all the time. The dream is to have mega churches. But I am convinced that God is against empire building. In the Hebrew Scriptures we have the account of the tower of Babel. In the New Testament, as the church at Jerusalem grew numerically God allowed persecution to be an instrument of scattering, from which blessing was multiplied in a way that would never have happened if they had stayed in Jerusalem.
While the early days of the church in Jerusalem seems all about massive growth (three thousand converted in one day) many of these were only visitors to Jerusalem. The only other majority church I can think of is at Samaria where, after Philip's ministry, the whole city was full of joy. But the Scripture record seems to be of Christian churches in a minority within a much larger pluralistic society. Could it be that the mega church vision is actually contrary to what God desires?
What happened to the dream of some in the nineteen sixties to create one large single church instead of the multiplicity of denominations? The hopes of growth gave way to rapid decline. Of course I believe that Jesus will build his Church. I believe we need a vision for winning more and more men, women and children to Jesus' side. I also believe that the unity that is God's gift to his Church needs to be nurtured. The development of large super stores might appear to be good for the pocket but they seriously distort the economy. Before the development of internet outlets such as Amazon, the Christian book trade in the UK seemed to be already falling apart at the same time as one organisation was developing a monopoly. Where are those splendid Christian bookshops in all our towns today?
William Carey, the founding father of the Baptist Missionary Society once said, "Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God". I want to say "Amen" to that but suggest that we need to be very careful that we do not become too many or too strong for God to use us. His strength is made perfect in our weakness, as Gideon discovered (Judges 6 and 7).
The Past Week included some encouraging meetings including a Rural Round Table linked to the Fresh Expressions movement, a Country Way editorial meeting (please let me know if you are not already a subscriber to this important magazine), a village Bible Discussion Group, and today's Congregational Federation's Mission and Society Committee.
The Coming Week is less full as far as events are concerned, but not necessarily as far as work is concerned. On this Sunday I will be leading and speaking at Yelvertoft. On Monday I will be taking a school assembly in Lubenham. On Tuesday I will be working in HMP Gartree. Through the week there is still much to do sorting out matters relating to Action for Christ, preparing for a rural consultation in the south west, and a similar event in Northern Ireland, and some important administration for Rural Mission solutions and its parent charity.
I am sure that you will be busy within your own sphere of activity. May God grant us all the ability to be his 'mosquitoes' and having an impact for the kingdom of God wherever we buzz!
Please tell me what you are up to. Doreen and I would so love to hear from you.
Barry
No comments:
Post a Comment