How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" .........
Romans 10:14-15
The November Prayer Diary is out! This monthly prayer diary is constructed from prayer requests handed in to the Friday lunchtime prayer group and can also be found on the Round Church and St John's websites (see links to the websites in the sidebar on the right). Please feel free to use the diary and join us in praying for our congregations, community on Islay and the wider world. Click on the following link to view the diary. You can also download the diary by right clicking on the link and selecting “save target as” November Prayer Diary
I received an email from John Blanchard earlier this week.
For those of you who don't know him he has a worldwide evangelistic ministry and perhaps his most famous book is entitled 'Ultimate Questions'. This has sold over 14 million copies worldwide in many different languages.
Apparently he was evacuated to Islay, from Guernsey during the war and has very fond memories of that time. He is back here next June and he emailed me introducing himself and asking if 'there is any way I can serve you' whilst I am on Islay.
I found this expression striking, to say the least. Here is a man with a worldwide ministry asking if he can serve the ministry here, when you might expect him to perhaps suggest that whilst he's here 'he could teach me a few things, or help things along a bit...'
There is no doubt that ministers need support and I have a great deal of support here on Islay. It is no exaggeration to say that without that support the church just would not function. The support offered reflects, for the most part, the teaching in Romans 12 where we are told, for example, 'not to think more highly of ourselves than we ought' and to use our gifts for the benefit of the 'body of Christ'. In other words its all about Christian team work and ministry.
When you see a church working in this way it is a great witness to all that is great about being a Christian, but sadly not all 'ministerial support' is like this. There are those that work within the church to different agenda's, pledging support for the ministry but actually doing something else..... namely working for their own glory or self importance. They like to be seen and they enjoy the praises offered for the 'support'. They are quick to criticise. Such individuals and groups can be very damaging even though at first sight they may appear solid and faithful workers for the gospel.
The video below has long been known to us and when we first saw it some years ago we just laughed at it, but now we look at it with new eyes, eyes that know what ministerial support should look like. So, to all of our Romans 12 friends and co-workers with Christ.
Thank you :)
The October Prayer Diary is out! This monthly prayer diary is constructed from prayer requests handed in to the Friday lunchtime prayer group and can also be found on the Round Church and St John's websites (see links to the websites in the sidebar on the right). Please feel free to use the diary and join us in praying for our congregations, community on Islay and the wider world. Click on the following link to view the diary. You can also download the diary by right clicking on the link and selecting “save target as” October Prayer Diary
