It is a sad reflection that I hear far too often around the country comments about lovelessness within local churches. So the idea of finding a church where love is would sound very attractive to many. I wonder if you find your self thinking "If only!" I am also delighted to say that I have had the joy of finding churches where love is and experiencing a little of the blessing.
How might you know that you had found a church where love is? Here are some possibilities:
While it has indeed been my overwhelming joy to be part of such situations or to have ministered among them, I have also felt the cold chill where there is an atmosphere of spiritual superiority and judgementalism, where people seem to think themselves to be perfect and criticise others, where it feels cliquie and unwelcoming, where hurts are left untended, and people feel under-valued. In other words places where love isn't.
The words of Paul in Colossians 1:4 have always stood out for me: "... the love you have for all God's people...". This sounds so wonderfully inclusive. No one was left out. There are lots of references in the New Testament about loving one another (I counted 19 references) but this phrase in Colossians somehow seems to say more. This love is all-embracing. Now that's a church where love is. Paul also gives us a clue as to how it is that they have such super relationships. He tells us in chapter 1 verse 8 that this love comes from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. When writing to the Christians in Rome Paul writes "... the love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us".
When I was still a young Christian I had a problem with a colleague who had a very destructive tongue and was highly critical of others. Sitting under his ministry on one occasion I found myself resenting what I thought was a sermon targeted at me. I silently told God all his dreadful faults, clearly thinking myself to be more perfect. Suddenly, I felt that the Holy Spirit had withdrawn from me offended by what was in my heart at that moment. Realising my poverty I silently cried to god, "Oh Lord, please take away this bitterness and baptise me with your love". The next moment what I received was the baptism of the Holy Spirit, with what felt like fountains bursting within my innermost being. I shook under the power of the Holy Spirit and had insufficient strength in my legs to stand for the closing hymn! All I could do was pour out praise to God.
Where the Holy Spirit is there will always be love. Perhaps it is also true that only where there is true love will God the Holy Spirit feel at home. Will you say, "Let it start in me"? Let's have churches where love is.
How might you know that you had found a church where love is? Here are some possibilities:
- It would be a church that treasures its more elderly members, providing transport for them, offering to take them out, visiting just so that you can spend some time together, and making sure that they are comfortable, adequately fed and coping with life and its challenges to the elderly.
- It would be a church where children find that adults are happy to listen to them and take genuine interest in what they have to say (and possibly laugh at their jokes); where children are given time, shown respect, are valued, and can confidently feel safe.
- It would be a church that smiles at the idiosyncrasies of others rather than complaining about them, possibly because they have learned that the faults they see in others are often to be seen in themselves!
- It would be a church where people often use the words "thank you" - for the little things; not just the big ones. Where all who serve the congregation (whether from the pulpit or the dustbins or somewhere in between) are encouraged in what they do,
- It would be a church where a stranger soon feels at home and will want to come again.
- It would be a church that practises being hospitable.
- It would be a church where people across gender and generations like to do things together.
- It would be a church where the preaching and teaching style feels humble and helpful rather than harmful and judgemental.
- It would be a church where people do not rush off as soon as the service is ended.
- It would be a church where Sundays are definitely not to be missed both because of what people can contribute to the blessing of others and because they feel it's where they belong.
- It would be a church that is slow to accuse and quick to forgive anyone who might inadvertently have caused an offence, and where everyone feels it essential that they do all they can to bring healing and restoration as soon as possible after hurtful incident.
- It would be a church where prayer is as natural as breathing.
While it has indeed been my overwhelming joy to be part of such situations or to have ministered among them, I have also felt the cold chill where there is an atmosphere of spiritual superiority and judgementalism, where people seem to think themselves to be perfect and criticise others, where it feels cliquie and unwelcoming, where hurts are left untended, and people feel under-valued. In other words places where love isn't.
The words of Paul in Colossians 1:4 have always stood out for me: "... the love you have for all God's people...". This sounds so wonderfully inclusive. No one was left out. There are lots of references in the New Testament about loving one another (I counted 19 references) but this phrase in Colossians somehow seems to say more. This love is all-embracing. Now that's a church where love is. Paul also gives us a clue as to how it is that they have such super relationships. He tells us in chapter 1 verse 8 that this love comes from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. When writing to the Christians in Rome Paul writes "... the love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us".
When I was still a young Christian I had a problem with a colleague who had a very destructive tongue and was highly critical of others. Sitting under his ministry on one occasion I found myself resenting what I thought was a sermon targeted at me. I silently told God all his dreadful faults, clearly thinking myself to be more perfect. Suddenly, I felt that the Holy Spirit had withdrawn from me offended by what was in my heart at that moment. Realising my poverty I silently cried to god, "Oh Lord, please take away this bitterness and baptise me with your love". The next moment what I received was the baptism of the Holy Spirit, with what felt like fountains bursting within my innermost being. I shook under the power of the Holy Spirit and had insufficient strength in my legs to stand for the closing hymn! All I could do was pour out praise to God.
Where the Holy Spirit is there will always be love. Perhaps it is also true that only where there is true love will God the Holy Spirit feel at home. Will you say, "Let it start in me"? Let's have churches where love is.
Let there be loved shared among us
Let there be love in our eyes
May now your love sweep this nation
Cause us, O Lord, to arise
Give us a fresh understanding
of brotherly (sisterly) love that is real
Let there be love shared among us. Let there be love.
(Dave Bilborough. Copyright(c) 1979 Kinsway's Thankyou Music)
From the Diary
If you follow me on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ruralbarry) you will know that I have had two great school assemblies this week. Last week a highlight was teaching on the Safe & Sound Course at the William Booth College for Salvation Army Among the cadets (officers in training) were some that had recently been featured on TV. This was a really excellent group of 29 students who thoughtfully engaged in exploring theologically what true repentance and forgiveness is. The whole day gave me a 'Wow' feeling. Please give thanks.
Last Saturday we held the second of our version of Messy Church at Yelvertoft. Since we have no young families and young children it is a challenge to build this out of almost nothing. But we have a good core team. Despite clashing with a children's party and sleepover we had a good time. We are learning as a team and the children are enjoying it. This seemed proved on Tuesday when I went into the school for the assembly and was greeted with cries of "Yeah! It's Barry" etc! Please give thanks.
Today it was my privilege to chair a meeting of the Churches Rural Group, a Coordinating Group of Churches Together in England. As part of what we are doing is to explore the situation among rural churches in the UK to see if we are understanding the challenges faced by churches, their ministers or clergy, and whether they are responding to the needs and opportunities in mission in their local setting. An appropriate response would be a strategy engaged upon to respond to those needs and opportunities. I am running a similar piece of research at present through the Rural Evangelism Network. Please pray.
Tomorrow I am meeting with friends in leadership of other rural mission agencies who meet periodically to encourage one another and explore areas of collaboration. Please pray.
On Sunday 2nd February I will be leading the meeting at Goodwood Evangelical Church, Leicester. This is one of their periodic all-age meetings and I have been the guest speaker at these in the past. On this occasion we will be exploring what it means to be called to follow Jesus. Please pray.
On Wednesday 5th I will be taking part in the Congregational Federation's Pastoral Care Board Meeting. Significant responsibilities rest on the shoulders of the Board members and I value your prayers please.
Finally I have two people from our village congregation needing prayer. Rob had an operation yesterday (28th January) to remove a fairly large tumour on his back near his spine. Peter, our bubbling-over-with-Jesus 92 year old is currently in another hospital hight dependency unit. In asking your prayers for Rob and Peter I also encourage your prayers for those in the UK affected by the severe flooding, including the farmers affected. Please pray for the work of the Farming Community Network (formerly farm Crisis Network) and those engaging in this serious situation.
Thank you.
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