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My struggle with small groups

Details: Published: Tuesday, 19 July 2016 13:29; Written by James Dean

I have an ongoing love-hate relationship with small groups at church, and I sense I may not be alone in this.

On the one hand I love the fact that at times it can be an uplifting and edifying time where we share the difficulties of life and turn to prayer and exalt God together for his care and love. I delight when we read a passage of the Bible and as we talk about what it means a little sparkle appears in our eyes as we realise something amazing and learn something we'd never known before or remember a truth we'd forgotten.

On the other hand there are some weeks when everything really does feel like pulling teeth. No one wants to talk or open up; everyone seems downright grumpy; and I wonder if it was worthwhile getting together in the first place.

I've thought this over many times and wondered whether perhaps we're just doing it wrong. Perhaps we need to sing or not sing; perhaps the groups should be larger or smaller; meet earlier or later; meet more often or less often. Surely other churches that have seen huge benefits to this model of meeting together have a secret they're not letting on?

But what I'm coming to realise is that we're not doing it wrong at all. What we might perceive as being "wrong" about the groups is actually right. It's just a reflection what real life is like and the only thing we need to do is to understand that simple fact. Sometimes people have just all had a "bad day" on the same day; that doesn't make the group itself not work - but it does mean that the group has some work to do!

Our small groups, home groups, whatever you like to call them, are there not to create or reinforce cliques but for us to disciple one another. The idea is that in these groups we build relationships with one another and encourage and build one another up (1 Thessalonians 5:11). That means there will be times when we're going to have to roll up our sleeves, get to work and that may get a bit messy from time to time as we deal with real life issues. But the goal is to grow together in our faith and spur each other on (Hebrews 10:24).

Yes, some weeks will be tough; others will be easier. But every time we meet together it should be enriching and joyous to the glory of God.

The servant queen

Details: Published: Friday, 10 June 2016 13:01; Written by James Dean

As I mentioned last week, we bought 500 copies of the book, "The Servant Queen and the King she serves" and on Sunday after church we went knocking door to door on Linden Village. We gave away over 200 copies! That's 200 copies of a book that points people to Jesus - the Queen's King - given away for free to people who are neighbours of BEC. Many of them had no idea who we were or even that the church met in the school round the corner from their homes, so it was an incredibly worthwhile effort, but they were all genuinely pleased to be given such a lovely gift.

We had some lovely conversations and we intend to have more!

Tomorrow (Saturday) we've got plans in place to give away as many of the 300 remaining copies as we can at two locations in Buckingham. This time we'll be giving books away outside Waitrose and Aldi as people do their Saturday morning shop.

So if you have 30 minutes or an hour you can spare to come and help, we'd be delighted to see you. We'll be at Aldi from 9.30am and at Waitrose from 10am and we'll stay until 1pm or until all the books have been given away.

If you're not able to get to either location please would you join with us in prayer?

Pray that:

we would have more great conversations,
the Lord would lead those conversations and give us that "word in season" to speak openly about the gospel and the Saviour whom we - and the Queen - love and serve.
some of those who we met last Sunday might be prompted to drop in to church this week to find out more about what they've read in these books.

This has been a great week making some first steps in meeting those around us, let's make the most of this opportunity together.

The effect of sharing our faith

Details: Published: Friday, 03 June 2016 13:59; Written by James Dean

In verse 6 of Paul's letter to his good friend Philemon, he shares a prayer that he prays not just for Philemon but for all those in the church that met in his house.

At its core Paul prays that they would share their faith - we might also call that "witnessing" or "evangelising" - with those that don't yet know Jesus as Lord & Saviour. He prays that the effect of sharing their faith would be that they would come to know in full every good thing that is in us.

As we read that verse through again, we are reminded that this act of sharing isn't done entirely for our own benefit. Although learning and getting a good understanding of the good things of God is a huge benefit to us, ultimately we share the gospel for Christ. It is HIS gospel we're sharing and HIS glory that we seek.

So this week, if you have the opportunity to tell someone else why you believe and trust in Jesus - and do pray that you will be given those opportunities - please be encouraged and emboldened as you do that. Remember that sharing what you know, sharing what you have learned about this wonderful Saviour, sharing what you know about his love for sinners like us, is bringing glory to Jesus too.