Facing a Risky Future

There were four of them.  Their dreadful disease had rendered them outcasts from society, shunned by anyone who saw them, and forced to live outside their city.  They had survived on meagre scraps for several weeks, but even that was drying up because of the siege.  They faced a difficult decision.

Even if they could find a way to get back into the city, the siege was so effective that there seemed to be no food there.  People were starving.  So trying to get into the city was pointless.

Staying where they were was equally pointless.  Sure, they had managed to survive in the past, but now they faced inevitable decline and certain death.

The only other option was to move out towards that which was the source of their problem - the enemy encamped around the city.  It was dusk as they set out.  Perhaps, they thought that the fading light would hide the consequence of the disease from which they suffered.

The strange thing was that at precisely the time these men set out for the enemy camp, the enemies heard a sound like that of two armies coming towards them.  They fled leaving all their supplies behind, so the four men ate what they could and also passed on the news to those inside the city, thus bringing an end to the famine.

While this could well be a contemporary story from any one of the parts of the world affected by warfare, in fact it can be read in 2 Kings chapter 7.

My experience in rural mission leads me to conclude that this biblical story has contemporary relevance.  Far too many churches seem stuck in a situation of decline.  Some realise that very soon the church could cease to exist.  But what can be done?  We cannot turn time back, so no matter how much we might desire a return to “the good old days” when churches had better attendances.  Going back to where we were before things got this bad, is not an option.  Neither is staying with things the way they are, facing ultimate demise.

Like the four men, we need to face up to what appears to be threatening us, and - also like them - take the risk that comes with change.  Many churches that have done so, have experienced a reversal in their circumstances, but it comes with a cost.  The cost is that we have to be willing to leave the comfort of the old familiar ways, and the familiar structures of our church services and meetings.  But you probably know that the final words of a dying church were recorded as “We have always done it this way!”

If your church did not see numerical growth in 2018, you need to ask why.  Churches that are static (not to mention those in decline) are contrary to the experience of the vast number of churches throughout the world.  It ought not to be tolerated.  Usually, the cause of a church becoming static or in decline is resistance to change.  Such is the state of resistance to change in many churches that when I am asked, “Why don’t people come to our church?” I am tempted to say, “Because of the people who are already there!”  This is not because I would want them not to be there, but because I long that they would become instruments of change.

Being willing to let go or to move aside is vital.  Holding things tightly under a control that denies change is a death sentence.  Of course things might be done differently, or at different times, or on different days, but it’s worth the risk.  Staying as we are, when that means we are gradually declining, is not an option.  Some will say, “There is noone to take over if I give up!” but is there an honest willingness to let go and step aside?  Sometimes, it starts with a willingness to let change happen.  I know that it’s hard.  My experience in three episodes of pastoral leadership of churches, has always involved those who have been faithful becoming willing to allow (or even encourage) change.  But where this was combined with love and prayer, we saw God at work in ways that might have been hard to imagine.

So, as we enter 2019, please do not sit still.  If you are not seeing God at work through all you do at church: take the risk.  Are you willing to be open to God doing new things in new ways?  If not, is it time to re-dedicate yourself to God who brings life and change wherever he is welcomed.  Give yourself to earnest prayer that anything and anyone resisting change (no matter how sincere their motives) will be changed or moved.  The work of salvation is far too precious to be hindered.

Make 2019 a year for taking calculated and prayerful risks for the sake of the gospel where you live.  Please!

Barry Osborne - 27th December 2018.

Are You Ready?

OK, it’s time I confessed:I’m one of those people who leaves everything to the last moment.  I usually arrive where I am expected, but only just in time. Far too much is left to the last possible moment - or even later.  I can trace this back into my childhood. I lived close to my primary school but was late almost every day. Apart from one day I never had a reasonable excuse.  That day I had no excuse,my teacher was so shocked by my honesty on the matter that he awarded me two house points!

We have moved into the season of Advent as run up to Christmas.  I’m sure that you know that this is about being prepared for the coming of Jesus.  We should all be standing on tiptoes looking expectantly for Christ’s return.

A few years ago I wrote a revised version of the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins for use in a school assembly.  I thought I would add it here, with apologies to any who have heard it before. Versions vary slightly.

George, Henry and John, Mary, Jane and Sue were six young teenagers and friends who lived in the village of Opting-Under Water.  One day, the girls had been browsing the Internet, looking for anything about the Spice Girls when they discovered that David and Victoria Beckham were planned to be attending a special event in a village not far from where they lived.  There was no way they would be able to go but they worked out that there was a strong possibility that if they were traveling from their home in Holland Park, they would have to pass right through their village.

They knew the date, and the time of the event, but could not be sure what time they would be arriving. Mary thought it would be a good idea to camp out at the roadside in the village to see if they could spot the car,probably a limousine, she thought.  So it was agreed to meet up in good time to see if they could spot the Beckhams.

The next day, at the appointed time, the six friends met up at an ideal place where there was a green close by. The boys had brought a football, in case they could get it autographed by David, thought this seemed quite unlikely.  The girls had brought three large banners they had made themselves with words such as “Victoria we love you” written on them boldly.

“That;s a really good idea”, said Henry, “Why didn’t we think of that?”

“Because, as you know,” replied Sue, “Everyone knows girls are smarter than boys.  It’s all about preparation. We spent several hours last evening making these.”

Henry just shrugged.  Experience had taught him that arguing got him nowhere.  Instead he suggested that they had a kick-around to while the time away.  So the boys set up a goal with their jackets and played football while the girls settled down at the roadside.  They had chosen an excellent situation as they had a good view a long way down the road to a bend in the direction from which the Beckham’s would be coming, if they came at all.

After a while the boys tired of playing football and joined the girls.  All they had seen was ordinary cars, some vans, five large lorries and Mr Ford’s tractor and trailer.  John noticed that the girls were getting packages from their backpacks. As the girls unwrapped sandwiches, the boys realised they were feeling hungry.

“Are you going to share those?” enquired John.  

“Certainly not.  We only just have enough for ourselves.  You should have come prepared.”

With that the three hungry boys decided to hurry home and bring back something to keep them from starving.

Hardly had they left when Jane jumped up excitedly, pointing down the road.  “Look!” she exclaimed with what was a squeal of excitement. “It’s a posh car.  I think it’s a limousine. Get ready everyone.”

The girls stood in line, banners on display and waved madly as the car swept past them.  Then,,,, they could not believe it…. the car stopped and began reversing towards them. As it came to a final halt beside them, to their delight David Beckham stepped out and opened the door for Victoria.  The girls screamed and jumped for joy. 

“Hi!  However did you know we would be coming this way today? She enquired.  The girls explained how they had seen it on the Internet and worked out they might come that way.

“How long have you been waiting?” David asked. The girls told them everything and were rewarded with autographs and selfies on their mobile phones.

All too soon David checked his watch and suggested that they had better leave if they were to arrive on time.  The Beckhams climbed back into the car and it slowly drove off, disappearing from sight round the bend at the other end of the village.

It had just disappeared when the three boys returned.  Boy, were they cross with themselves!

"Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming" (Matthew 24:42).
Barry Osborne - 1st December 2018