Dear folks,
I believe. I believe in all kinds of things, but most specifically in this instance mean that I believe in the power of God to redeem and transform the world, and you and I, and the corporate bodies that we are part of. This is made possible by the giving of the Holy Spirit who, when welcomed by prayerful invitation and humble but expectant souls, transforms us and shapes us as we allow Him access to the whole of our lives. The Spirit helps us discover our vocations and gives us the courage to step into them. He leads and inspires us. He forms and shapes us, rounding off our corners, filling us with His grace, and warming our hearts to love, and giving us an increasing desire to live holy lives that are honouring to God.
The wonderful thing about God’s transforming power is that while it ‘renews us and remakes us’, He doesn’t destroy all that we were, but uses it and builds into something beautiful and powerful, often using flaws and weaknesses to His glory. He takes what we are, all that is unique and precious of our character and personality, and builds us into a holy temple in which His Spirit dwells.
I also believe in our church building improvement project. I also believe that it is inspired. It’s not easy for all kinds of reasons; we have been out of the church for 4 months now, and there is a lot of work involved in setting up for worship in the hall each week and clearing away. It was wonderful to be back in the church to celebrate our Easter services which took quite a lot of work (thanks to those of you who helped get the church ready and nudged me to make that happen!) Although we can’t go back in to celebrate Ascension or Pentecost, I’m delighted to say that it seems we are on track to achieve our date of Sunday 29th May, as phase one of our improvement project is completed.
Phase 2 involves reordering of the chancel, options for which are presently being considered by the Vestry and diocese. We have taken into account and considered all the written and verbal responses we received following my presentation to the congregation in January. When we have agreed the details of proposal for the reordering of the chancel area, before we submit a formal application to the diocese for permission to go ahead, we will advertise the full details of the proposed reordering to the whole congregation and invite your comments. Those will then be considered and taken into account before the formal application is submitted to the diocese.
The administrative process will take at least 4 to 6 months, but is already underway so we expect this Phase 2 to happen possibly later this year or early 2017, after which the transformation will be complete. Unlike our own transformation which is a lifelong process!
William Shakespeare wrote, “We know what we are, but know not what we may be.”
The truth is that our destiny in Christ, and God’s will for us is to become more like Jesus through the Spirit shaping and forming us. So often though we tend to think we are completed and that it’s just the world around us that needs to change! Yet God has so much more to impart, so much more for you to become in addition to that which we know we are. Read this account of what happened when St Paul met up with some church-goers who didn’t realise that God had much more in store for them…
Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples 2 and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”
They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?”
“John’s baptism,” they replied.
Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.
Acts 19:1-6
It was a powerful Pentecost experience for them through which their lives were changed forever, as God’s work really began within them to the glory of His name.
Are we content to simply be church-goers, or are we willing to welcome the Spirit to come upon and transform us by His power, and build us into a holy temple that gives glory to God on earth?
I believe that God is already at work among us.
God bless,
Nick
