together SUMMER 2017
Independent churches, working together
ALSO INSIDE Get to Know… £120,000 raised for training Our next Pastoral Director
WELCOME...
The front cover features our first ever Ministry Wives Retreat which you can read about on page 19. Together is published by FIEC, 39 The Point, Market Harborough, LE16 7QU. 01858 434540 fiec.org.uk admin@fiec.org.uk fb.com/theFIEC @theFIEC Editor: Phil Topham 01858 411553 phil.topham@fiec.org.uk Designed by: AH Graphic Design www.ahgraphicdesign.co.uk ah@ahgraphicdesign.co.uk 07500 465753 Unless otherwise stated, all Scripture quotations taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Got a story? We’d love to hear stories from your church – why not get in touch with us? The deadline for submissions for the Winter 2018 edition is Friday 1 December.
It’s always quite difficult to say all the things we’d like to in Together magazine. After all – it’s only published twice a year! But I hope you’ll be encouraged to read that everything we’re doing as a family is with the desire to see Independent churches like yours working together to reach Britain for Christ. Independent churches working together? Isn’t that a contradiction? We don’t think it is and I’m delighted that our National Director John Stevens has written for us about what the Bible teaches about Independency and church fellowship on page 4. You’ll also read about our ‘Get to Know…’ church profile films in the centre pages. Each film shows two FIEC churches ministering in different contexts and offers prayer points. Being part of the family means we’ll want to pray for one another – so please join us in getting to know some of our churches. It’s great to introduce Johnny Prime as our next Pastoral Ministries Director as well as hearing from Richard Underwood who retires this Christmas and will pass the baton to Johnny. So please keep praying for our work and ministry – and if you’d like to support us you can donate online at fiec.org.uk/donate or return the form on the back of your postal slip if you receive Together in the mail. Phil Topham, FIEC Head of Communication CORRECTION In our article about work starting in some of the 50 places of gospel need in the winter 2017 edition of Together, we mentioned Folkestone. Since then we have been reminded of the witness of Grace Chapel in Folkestone who are faithfully preaching Christ week by week in the centre of town. Thank you for the reminder of this gospel work.
CONTENTS 3
Sign up to receive Together
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Independent churches, working together
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A new Pastoral Ministries Director
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FIEC through the rear-view mirror
10 News in brief 14 Get to Know... 16 Barriers to growth
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18 Supporting biblical women’s ministry 20 Partner with us 21 £120,000 for training 22 A place to stand 25 New life in Birmingham 26 Book reviews 28 New church affiliations and church plants
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INDEPENDENT CHURCHES,
WORKING TOGETHER If we are to reach our nation with the good news of the Lord Jesus, we need our 565 churches to be working together. So it’s one of the greatest encouragements to me that more and more of our churches are doing just that. At FIEC, we have always been committed to the ministry of the local church, and we are theologically committed to the independency of local churches. John Stevens This means we believe they ought to be autonomous, or self-governing, under the headship of Christ, which is mediated through his word and by his Spirit. For these reasons FIEC is not, and has no intention of ever becoming, a denomination that exercises authority or control over its affiliated churches, and this principle is carefully enshrined in our constitution. However we are also convinced that there is no contradiction between churches being
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independent and yet voluntarily choosing to work together for the greater good of the gospel. In fact we believe that this is a biblical imperative. Let me explain why.
Local and global When we read the New Testament carefully we discover that the language of ‘church’ not only refers to individual local congregations, but also to the wider body of Christ comprising the totality of the congregations in a city, geographical region or even the whole world. Our ecclesiology of the independent local church always needs to be complemented by the equally biblical emphasis on the ecclesiology of fiec.org.uk
the universal Church. We also read how the individual local churches maintained close relationships with one another, and were prepared to share resources and people to further the growth of the kingdom of God. Paul, for example, encouraged churches to work together to support his pioneer church planting work. He challenged the Gentile churches he had planted to give generously to meet the needs of the poor Jewish believers in Judea who were suffering hardship due to famine or persecution. It is no surprise, therefore, that independent churches have regularly founded associations, unions, fellowships or networks to foster and facilitate such inter-dependence. The FIEC was established in 1922 exactly for this purpose, when Revd E J Poole-Connor saw at first hand the challenges faced by isolated independent churches that were totally self-reliant and had no one to support them in training ministers, planting churches or providing legal and practical advice.
OUR LONGING IS THAT FIEC WILL BE: INDEPENDENT CHURCHES WORKING TOGETHER TO REACH BRITAIN FOR CHRIST. For 95 years FIEC has sought to enable independent churches to co-operate with one another for the greater gospel good without compromising their independence. This vision is unchanged, and our longing is that FIEC will be: Independent churches working together to reach Britain for Christ. This encapsulates our ecclesiological convictions and our missional purpose, and we believe that it reflects a thoroughly biblical aspiration. There is no doubt that we face a massive gospel challenge in Britain today, given that only 3% of the population know Christ as Saviour and Lord. Many individual churches are thriving and growing, but we will only be able to plant fiec.org.uk
churches in the communities where there is little or no gospel witness, or raise up a new generation of well-trained pastors, evangelists and gospel workers, if we work together.
Working together By working together each independent local church is able to share in fulfilling the great commission to take the gospel to all nations and people groups. The population of Britain is remarkably diverse, with many different ethnicities, classes, cultures and national and regional identities. Any individual local church can only reach the narrower range of people who live in their immediate vicinity. Through the work of FIEC they are able to be actively engaged in reaching a broader group. Urban churches, for example, can participate in reaching people in rural communities, and churches in areas with relatively little ethnic diversity can be involved in gospel ministry to people groups that are not found on their own doorsteps. It is thrilling, therefore, to hear stories of how FIEC churches have partnered together to plant new congregations, or of how churches at one end of the country have given generously to fund gospel work in a needy estate at the other end of the country. The large-scale movement of people within Great Britain means that our local churches’ ministries are far more interconnected than they were in previous generations: we cannot afford to have an isolationist mentality. So there is no contradiction in principle or practice in the FIEC vision of independent churches working together. Please pray that more and more churches will join us in making this vision a reality, and that this will result in many more people coming to know Christ in our nation. There is a limit to what any individual local church can do on its own, but the Bible and church history teach us that we can do much more when we work together. John Stevens, FIEC National Director FIEC Together Summer 2017
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A NEW PASTORAL MINISTRIES DIRECTOR Jonathan (Johnny) Prime will become our next Pastoral Ministries Director in January 2018 as Richard Underwood retires. We thought it would be good to ask him a few questions as he prepares to leave Enfield Evangelical Free Church and become an FIEC Director. Johnny will have responsibility for the FIEC Pastors’ Network – a group made up of more than 500 men who are in pastoral ministry in Independent churches. Johnny, it’s not a given that everybody knows you – please could you tell us a bit about yourself? I was born in South London, but grew up and was educated in Edinburgh before being saved in my early teens. It was in Edinburgh that I met my wife, Sandra and we have three daughters. The eldest is married and a primary school teacher. Our middle daughter is also a primary school teacher, and our youngest is at university in Norwich. After nine years working as a civil court lawyer in Edinburgh, I
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was called to be the assistant pastor at Enfield Evangelical Free Church in 1993. Three years later I became senior pastor and we have been privileged to serve the Lord Jesus in Enfield ever since. What are the plans for Enfield EFC now that you have announced you are moving on? Over the last ten years we have been privileged to be involved in two church plants and one (soon to be two) revitalisations. The result has been partnership with other FIEC churches on the gospel ambition of reaching the unreached parts of the London Borough of Enfield and the surrounding areas. Two years ago, Nathan Howard left Enfield EFC with a team of around 20 to start Silver Street Community Church. In releasing me to work with the FIEC, the church have called Nathan back to be the pastor at Enfield, and our
assistant pastor, Luke Crowter, is going to fill Nathan’s shoes at Silver Street. There is a real sense that the Lord has been preparing both these men for these new roles. At the same time, God willing, our associate pastor Dougie Affleck will launch Bury Street Community Church in September with a team of 20. You’ve been part of the wider Pastoral Ministry team at FIEC for a number of years. Why is the health of our pastors important? A good question to ask is: who pastors the pastor? I am convinced that spiritually healthy churches need spiritually healthy pastors. As a younger man, I was advised to spend a lot of time in the Pastoral Epistles. It was good advice, and not just for younger pastors. Paul instructs Timothy, “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.” (1 Tim 4: 16) While pastors are just like any other disciple of our fiec.org.uk
Lord Jesus, they often face particular challenges and temptations. An encouraged and spurred on pastor will be a pastor who encourages and spurs on the congregation he serves. A pastor who perseveres will be a pastor who helps God’s people to persevere. A prayerful pastor is likely to lead a prayerful church. A pastor with a heart for the lost is likely to lead a congregation with a heart for the lost. Often the best way to help a congregation to be faithful to the Lord Jesus is to help the pastor to be faithful to the Lord Jesus.
I AM CONVINCED THAT SPIRITUALLY HEALTHY CHURCHES NEED SPIRITUALLY HEALTHY PASTORS. How can Independent churches best care for pastors? The best way to answer that is to share my experience in Enfield. I have been privileged to serve the Lord Jesus with godly and prayerful elders. To pray with them each week; to learn with them from God’s word; to care for the flock with them; and to consider each month what the Lord would have us do for his glory, is a great joy. Each of the elders has a Link Group (a proportion of the congregation who are the focus of their prayers and pastoral concern). The other elders and our mission partners are my Link Group. Sandra and I are in one of the other elder’s Link Group. I am encouraged to have my day off each week; to meet with other pastors; to take study leave; and to attend a couple of conferences each year. I also value the prayers of the congregation both in private and at our regular whole church prayer meetings. How do you see the early months of your new role panning out? I am so grateful to God for the furrow Richard Underwood has ploughed in establishing and fiec.org.uk
developing the Pastors’ Network. I am aware that I only know a fraction of what is involved in the role of Pastoral Director. In the early months I hope to meet with pastors and their wives at the Pastors’ Network conferences and on other occasions. I have some ideas about ways we can encourage and facilitate purposeful and beneficial partnerships between pastors and churches that will contribute to the pursuit of gospel ambitions. I look forward to discussing my preliminary thoughts with other pastors, with a view to considering what would be most helpful. How can we pray for you in the months to come? Thank you for asking. In three ways please. First, that I will end well in Enfield and that the transitions in the Enfield churches will be honouring to the Lord Jesus. Second, that the Lord would provide a home for us to buy in Market Harborough, and that we would settle well into a new area and a new church family. Third, that as I step into Richard’s shoes, I will be a real Barnabas, who encourages pastors and their wives to remain true to the Lord Jesus with all their hearts (Acts 11: 23). FIEC Together Summer 2017
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FIEC THROUGH THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR Johnny Prime’s arrival (see pages 6–7) means that after 13 years with FIEC, Richard Underwood will retire as Pastoral Ministries Director at the end of 2017. Before taking on his current role, Richard served as General Secretary between 2004 and 2010. We asked him to look back on his time serving FIEC: As I head towards retirement at the end of the year, it’s Richard Underwood inevitable that there are lots of ‘last time’ events. As I write, I’m reflecting wistfully on a delightful time at Thrive and our Ministry Wives Retreat (there are reports on pages 18 and 19). That’s an experience I will never repeat. So my heart is full of mixed emotions. Joy at handing over to a man of Johnny Prime’s calibre. Sadness at relinquishing a role I love. Excitement at whatever the Lord has in store for Pippa and me in the next chapter of our walk with him. But, above
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all, profound gratitude for the privilege of serving a family of pastors and churches I’ve grown to love. So, what will be my abiding memories of FIEC as I leave in December? Here are a few.
A focus on the Lord Jesus As I’ve worked with many churches in many situations, I’ve come to see increasingly how the Lord Jesus really is ‘all in all’. I’ve learned to rejoice in the fact that he hasn’t simply borne our sins but also our sorrows. He is the one who offers us the rest for which we yearn. And in him, we are complete. Both Father and Son delight to make the Lord Jesus increasingly precious to us and encourage us with the mind-blowing thought that day by day, step by step, they are making us more like him. In short, he is the gospel. And
FIEC is truly a Jesus-focused fellowship of churches.
A commitment to church Whilst church often gets a bad press on earth, it is the delight of heaven – the apple of God’s eye. The Lord Jesus loves his church with a passion and when we seek to serve her well, we’re going with the grain of God’s will. At her best, she is both hope for the present and anticipation of the future. I love the church and have been privileged to serve this family of churches. I hope very much that I’ll be able to serve my home church more effectively when I have a bit more time to focus my energies.
A delight in diversity Being a ‘broad church’ means that a generosity of spirit is embedded into the DNA of the Fellowship. I love the fact that our churches are different and never cease to be amazed that, in his grace, God is pleased to use such a deliciously diverse group of churches to win such deliciously diverse people to himself. fiec.org.uk
In our intolerant post-Christian world, FIEC is ideally placed to champion diversity and help churches keep the main thing the main thing.
it’s been thrilling to see the way the ministry has blossomed and how God has used FIEC to encourage churches and pastors – and not just in our own constituency.
A joy in companionship I know from experience that being a pastor can be a lonely calling. Isolation is the breeding ground for all kinds of complexes and neuroses. In the 13 years that I’ve worked for FIEC, I often haven’t known what to do, but I’ve never not known where to turn. I’ve been blessed to work with a delightful
IN OUR INTOLERANT POSTCHRISTIAN WORLD, FIEC IS IDEALLY PLACED TO CHAMPION DIVERSITY AND HELP CHURCHES KEEP THE MAIN THING THE MAIN THING.
team of gifted, godly and committed staff who have – without fail – been there to help me succeed. Serving alongside them has been a joy and a privilege and I can’t imagine how much I’m going to miss them. Retirement (whatever that means) will bring to an end 13 wonderful years serving this family of churches. I’ve received so much kindness and goodwill over that time. And
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Without question, he has used FIEC to further the spread of the gospel in our nation. I’m grateful to him that the leadership of FIEC is in such good hands and it’s my prayer that this growing usefulness will continue for all the years to come. Richard Underwood, FIEC Pastoral Ministries Director
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NEWS IN BRIEF now supply tea and coffee for us free of charge! We have literature on the tables in the marquee but we are not pushy. As shoppers pass by we offer invites to the following day’s carol service along with Christmas tracts. If the team get into a good conversation they will sometimes invite people over to the tent for a drink. The best way we have found to organise it is to create five teams, each with a team THE MANGER SCENE IN SWINDON
leader: refreshments; nativity display; literature/ outreach; music; and set up/set down.
NATIVITY WALK THRU Last summer we printed some ideas for Christmas outreach from our churches to fuel your own preparations. The articles were well received, so when we heard about North Swindon Baptist Church’s ‘Nativity Walk Thru’ in 2016, we couldn’t resist sharing their ideas too! Pastor Fraser Kay explains how it works. Our purpose is simple: to share the love of Jesus with people in our main shopping centre. Back in 2011 we asked the centre if we could produce an outdoor nativity display that shoppers could interact with. They said ‘yes’ and that year we pushed the boat out and actually hired real camels! Most years since then we have had the nativity display alongside a tent serving free tea and coffee before doing some carol singing. We use a space about 25m by 20m. People are invited into a long tent which contains three displays. The first is the wise men with people from church dressed up. The second is the shepherds (we have invested in some life-size ceramic sheep) and the final scene is around the manger. The exit from this undercover display then leads into a marquee where a team are offering refreshments. Over the years we have built up a great relationship with the local Starbucks who
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It sounds a lot of work – and the first year would be particularly costly in terms of time, planning and resources – but we have found our Nativity Walk Thru to be such a great blessing for three reasons: It is a great way to engage with our community in a non-threatening way. Very few people are hostile to a child-friendly depiction of the nativity and free refreshments! We have found that as we build conversations many people are happy to open up and most years we have had people come to our carol service the following day as a result. It really does provide a clear opportunity for the church to work together. It’s an event where every person can do something and it’s one of the few times where we can utilise many different gifts all at once. This alone has had a clear impact – we have had local businesses comment on how amazing it is a bunch of volunteers seem to get on well and work together. We explain that it’s because we love Jesus and are united in serving him. If you want further information feel free to contact us. Equally if you have any ideas of how we could make it better we are open to suggestions! fraser@nsbc.org.uk fiec.org.uk
PLANTERS TOGETHER Sam Buckley from Christ Church Hemel reflects on our first ever Church Planters’ Retreat held in Spring 2017. The writer C. Peter Wagner once said: “Planting new churches is the most effective evangelistic methodology known under heaven.” Whether he’s right or not is a matter of opinion, but there is certainly a movement of new churches being planted all over our nation which are reaching out into places where there is little or no gospel witness. As part of FIEC’s support for church planters, eight church planting couples from the FIEC family were whisked away for a 36-hour retreat to the beautiful setting of the South Downs in May. We all came from different contexts with different levels of ministry and planting experience, from decades planting and leading churches to those fresh out of theological college. The churches were at different stages too; from Abbeywood Community Church, launching their morning gathering the following day, through to the experience of New Life Brighton which was planted 20 years ago. Despite our many differences, there was
more that united us because we all share a desire to see people won for Jesus from different parts of our society. We spent 36 hours chatting, eating, praying, sharing and catching up on rest. And I’ve got to say, it was a joy. It was a joy to hear stories of people being reached with the gospel of grace and turning to the Lord Jesus Christ in repentance and faith; of faithful gospel preaching; of churches growing – albeit slowly; of prayers answered; of God’s faithfulness. We were taught by Mission Director Andy Paterson from Psalm 91 and it was a joy to share abundant food together and to enjoy God’s gift of beautiful countryside at Torch Trust’s Holiday and Retreat Centre in West Sussex. At the end of our time together, one of the planters reminded us of the famous verse from Psalm 127, “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labour in vain.” There is such a temptation to get our heads down in ministry but unless we’re depending on the Lord, on our knees before him, unless he is the one working in us, we’re working in vain. We plan to make the Planter’s Retreat an annual gathering as we support new churches around the country.
PLANTERS ON RETREAT
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NEWS IN BRIEF AN ENGLISH CONVERSATION CLASS AT GUNNERSBURY
ENGLISH CONVERSATION CLASS Gunnersbury Baptist Church is in Chiswick – an area in West London not far from Heathrow Airport, writes Doreen Sharp. Chiswick is a place where many people of different nationalities come to settle; sometimes for a short time, sometimes for a little longer. Two years ago Dorothy, an experienced teacher from Romania, began to attend our church while looking after an elderly relative. She spoke with the pastor about how she could serve and after much prayer it was decided to start an English conversation class. We wanted to share Gunnersbury’s experience as an encouragement for other churches to consider taking the plunge! To start an English conversation class you need an experienced teacher and a committed team who are willing to be good listeners; with a desire to reach out to people from other cultures. If the group is going to reach those with children, then the
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team needs at least two people to run a crèche. So we prepared an invitation leaflet and began to meet. Our mums/carers and toddler group brought along a number of students. There is also a school for Japanese children not far away so many students are Japanese mothers. Other countries have included Russia, Iran, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Ghana and many in Europe. Dorothy has returned to Romania but the Lord has raised up a retired teacher who is a church member and she has taken over as leader. The class is not just a time for informal chatting in English. Careful preparation is made beforehand. A subject of general interest is chosen for the morning such as ‘the weather’. The topic is introduced, outlining words and idioms peculiar to the subject, with everything written on a board. For example, how do you explain ‘raining cats and dogs’? Then the helpers get together
with one or two students to encourage them to answer questions on the topic before the whole group comes together again to share some of the points made with the helpers. Tea and coffee is served and the remaining time is given to reading a short passage from a simple version of Luke’s Gospel. Our assistant pastor explains difficult words and then the meaning of the passage. For some students it is the first time they have seen a Bible, so we pray it will lead to the gospel taking root and being accepted through this ministry. From time to time the class has taken a different form as we have made sushi or Christmas puddings together with much fun and laughter! Lasting friendships have been made and some have started coming to the church on a Sunday. At the request of students who work or study, the latest development has been the start of an evening class. So please pray that the Lord would give us strength, helpers and continued assurance that this is his work. fiec.org.uk
SCOTTISH CHURCHES: CONNECTING FOR MISSION Community isolation and the way churches can partner more effectively were the key themes of our Scottish Mission Forum at Edinburgh’s Charlotte Chapel in March, writes Rachel Dalby, FIEC Ministry Support Assistant. Many of the leaders attending had first-hand experience of serving in remote places, where running viable and sustainable churches often felt like a difficult and lonely job. The population density figures in Scotland make for illuminating reading in this context. There are an average of just eight people per square kilometre in the Highland Council area contrasted with around 3,300 per square kilometre in the Glasgow City Council area. Even within more densely populated towns and cities, isolation can exist as the result of cultural and economic differences between neighbourhoods. The forum heard from people serving in a variety of ministry contexts from poor, urban communities to city centre churches in a multicultural context. There was also a reflection on serving amongst some of the 130 inhabited Scottish islands. Commenting on the day, FIEC Scotland Director Andy Hunter said, “No one church or group will reach Scotland – it is a task that requires partnership and a big vision. Only by working together can we get close to meeting the country’s gospel need. Please pray that this event will result in new gospel relationships that bear fruit for Christ’s kingdom in the coming days.” fiec.org.uk
UNSHAKEN 250 women of all ages from North Wales and beyond arrived in Wrexham for the annual North Wales Women’s Conference in March, writes Sian Graham from Bradley Road Evangelical Church, Wrexham. The theme this year was ‘Unshaken’ and Jane McNabb (The Slade Evangelical Church, London) taught on Psalms 16 and 17 and challenged us through the example of King David given in Scripture to remain unshaken through all of life’s circumstances – good and bad – like a tree with deep and strong roots. Hard things happen to everybody – there is sin in this world. Can we learn contentment through a rock solid relationship with God? Can we say to God: “You are enough?” Through two teaching sessions, a time of discussion and two very honest, real and moving testimonies, the day proved to be a rich experience. Through the reading and teaching of Scripture we heard and read of the Lord’s hand at work in King David’s life; and this was then applied to our lives today. Once again an excellent bookstall was provided with a wide range of literature to challenge, build up and encourage women. Many thanks to Jane McNabb for her hard work in bringing God’s word to us, and to the ladies of Gwersyllt Congregational Church (another FIEC church in Wrexham) who faithfully work hard throughout the year to bring the blessing of this conference to the ladies of North Wales. “Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.” Psalm 16: 5–6 FIEC Together Summer 2017
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More than 560 churches are now part of our Fellowship and more than 46,000 people regularly attend an FIEC church. That’s a big family – so how can we get to know each other better? Well, we think one of the best ways to demonstrate what it means to be a fellowship of Independent churches is to pray for one another. That’s why we launched ‘Get to Know…’ in 2017. It’s a video and prayer resource for FIEC churches which is designed to introduce church congregations to other members of the Fellowship. This shows your church that
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QR codes
it is part of something bigger and it encourages us to pray for one another. Each video takes around four minutes to profile two FIEC churches, while there are also prayer points to download for each church. We hope this will encourage you to get to know some of the churches across FIEC and pray for them in one of your regular meetings.
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PRAYER POINTS Charlotte Chapel Thank God for the many new faces we are seeing each Sunday. Please pray that our evangelistic series ‘How would you fix the world?’ would connect with people in Edinburgh and draw them to consider the claims of Christ.
Moorlands Church That as a church family we would be on mission as we live and work in Lancaster.
trying to reach friends and neighbours with the gospel. Please pray for wisdom as we take steps towards further autonomy from our mother church in Mold. Pray it would ultimately result in further gospel growth.
Trinity Road Chapel, Tooting, London Please pray that we would be a church united in the gospel that is seeking to grow in our love for the Lord Jesus, his people, and the lost.
Give thanks for the number of students – both UK and international – that we have in our church family. Please pray that our student work will lead to fruit for the kingdom both here and abroad.
That we would forge good relationships with local families – particularly through our café and children’s groups – that allow us to share the gospel with them.
City Church Birmingham
Please thank God for happy Sundays, with new faces each week and a handful of new people coming into membership.
Pray for our new congregation, Second City, to reach people in the heart of Birmingham. Pray for God to raise up new generations of leaders for FIEC churches through our Student Ministry and Ministry Trainee programme.
Hope Church Huddersfield
Please pray for conversions. Pray too for wisdom as we seek a replacement for Graham Thomson as he prepares to church plant in the Spen Valley.
Grace Church Denbigh, North Wales Please pray that the Lord would raise-up some more servant-hearted people. We’d love to have one or two other Christian families/households living in Denbigh
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For more info: You can scan the QR codes opposite to watch the films on your mobile or tablet. Alternatively you can watch online at fiec.org.uk/gettoknow
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BARRIERS TO GROWTH
Sometimes we can be suspicious when a church talks about ‘growth’. After all, there is no formula for church growth – it’s all about God’s grace. So what do we mean when we use the language of growth? We decided to get the thoughts of our Church Leadership Consultant Ray Evans: The most important thing to remember when we talk about church Ray Evans growth is that we can’t start with numbers. Instead, we need to tell stories about people. Once you start talking about people getting saved, everyone says ‘oh, that’s great’. No matter what their story is, it is a great story, so we start to talk about people being won for Christ and everyone says ‘yes, we want that’. That’s really good! That’s the number one issue – we all want to see people saved. But if you start to see
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people being saved, what is going to happen? Your church will grow. Growth is not a technique we engineer, rather it is God at work through his servants. So that is how we need to approach the language of growth – it is God at work. So if church growth is joyful, why does it cause such tension? Well, I think there are two common problems.
Common problems The first is a mindset amongst Christian people. When people get saved, it changes church and people find change hard. For many pastors, a growing church leads to members complaining about it and this comes as a great shock. Secondly there is no recognition that these growing pains are down to changing size dynamics. The groaning from the members is often not a sinful or wicked thing,
rather it is just the result of changing circumstances.
An example Let me give you an example. In a small church – the pastor will know everyone really well. But as a church grows and new people start to come, the pastor slowly starts getting out of his capacity relationally. He only needs a few pastoral headaches and he is too busy. People begin to wonder what is happening to their lovely church when it doesn’t feel so friendly anymore. For me, understanding that there was a barrier there was really significant – I wish I had known that years before I came across it. So the issues of growth all stem from a heart’s desire to see people won for Christ. Once that starts happening, how are we going to help people who are part of a growing church? To do that, you will need
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some organisational skills and that is what I am hoping to help FIEC churches with.
Pluses and minuses I’ve dealt with these issues at Grace Community Church in Bedford and I hope to help other leadership teams to face these issues. I don’t have all the answers but I can lead a conversation and I can help church leaders to be honest about the pluses and minuses of being in churches of different stages and sizes.
I CAN HELP CHURCH LEADERS TO BE HONEST ABOUT THE PLUSES AND MINUSES OF BEING IN CHURCHES OF DIFFERENT STAGES AND SIZES.
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I might, for example, also lead a church away-day so that congregations can share their fears and anxieties about being part of a growing church. I hope all this can help church leaders to recognise they are not facing a unique situation. For more info Ray joined FIEC as our first Church Leadership Consultant in April and he has been brought into the FIEC team to help churches to think through common barriers to growth. He will serve with FIEC two days a week – continuing as Senior Pastor of Grace Community Church in Bedford the rest of the week. There are resources from Ray online at fiec.org.uk/grow Ray is available to advise growing churches on size dynamics. If you would like him to help your church please email us admin@fiec.org.uk or call 01858 434540.
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SUPPORTING BIBLICAL For the first time this year, FIEC held two conferences for women in May – Thrive, our annual gathering for women in ministry was followed by our first ever Ministry Wives Retreat.
THRIVE
I nearly missed Thrive, writes Carys Woodbridge, Pastoral Worker at East London Tabernacle in London. About four weeks before the conference, I was drifting off to sleep when I suddenly realised I hadn’t booked. The next day I contacted FIEC’s Women’s Ministry Coordinator Elisabeth Smyth, only to discover that it was fully booked. Disaster! However Elisabeth was hugely helpful and somehow managed to squeeze me in – so I’m very grateful to the Lord and to her. I would have hated to have missed it. Let me explain why. Thrive is a 48 hour conference with three talks followed by three discussion times; an informal evening; free time; and a very helpful word of encouragement before we all depart to our various home and church situations. This year, Sarah Allen from Hope Church Huddersfield took us through the first three chapters of Genesis. We were reminded of familiar truths but
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WOMEN WORKERS GATHERED AT THRIVE
also discovered new treasures in this account of the creation and fall of mankind. I was reminded of God’s word being God’s communicative act – seen in the creation account but also in the life of God the Son – when Jesus spoke, things happened. I was also reminded how breath brought life – God breathed life into Adam after he had formed him out of the ‘dust of the ground’ and how Scripture is ‘God-breathed’ – so the word of God is living. In Genesis 3, there was the solemn reminder of how the Fall reversed God’s intended order of husband, wife, animals, when it became animals (the serpent), wife and then the husband in
Adam and Eve’s tragic act of disobedience. But this was not the end of the story; Sarah very helpfully quoted a hymn by William Williams – “Faith, see the place, and see the tree where heaven’s Prince, instead of me, was nailed to bear my shame. Bruised was the dragon by the Son, though two had wounds there conquered One – And Jesus was His Name”. As the conference is quite small (25-30 people) it is possible to talk to almost everyone during the 48 hour retreat. It’s great to meet with women doing similar work (around 70 in FIEC churches) – to be encouraged in the Lord as we talk, to exchange ideas and to be ‘spurred on towards love and good works’. fiec.org.uk
WOMEN’S MINISTRY MINISTRY WIVES RETREAT Having supported my husband Paul in ministry for more than 25 years I have always appreciated meeting other wives, writes Kay Kinnaird from Bankhall Mission in Liverpool. I was very much looking forward to almost three days away from what can sometimes feel like an overwhelming routine. For me, times like these are a great joy. To be in fellowship with like-minded women for spiritual refreshment, to pray together and to walk alongside those who are finding the path covered in nettles rather than bluebells. It can be hard to express the sense of isolation some ministry wives feel. Being able to share with those who understand – yet are outside of our setting – can make all the difference. The main teaching came from Jane McNabb from The Slade Church in London. Her talks were based on Matthew 6 entitled ‘Live for Your Father’, ‘Delight in Your Father’ and ‘Ask Your Father’.
BEING ABLE TO SHARE WITH THOSE WHO UNDERSTAND CAN MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE. Jane spoke with conviction drawing from her many years of experience serving both in and outside of the home. What joy to be reminded that our Father in heaven who has kissed us and clothed us gives us permission to approach him. It was challenging but equally encouraging as this prayer drives us back to Jesus. Jane urged us to ‘nag’ our Father for provision, pardon and protection – he gave everything to win us and will give everything to keep us. Following each of the sessions we broke into fiec.org.uk
TEACHING SESSION WITH THE MINISTRY WIVES
smaller groups for time to reflect on the talks and to pray. FIEC Women’s Ministry Coordinator Elisabeth Smyth drew our time to a close by bringing us back to the cross. In John 19 we read of a group of women standing close by – courageously – in a dangerous, distressing, but divine place. How close am I prepared to stand? I left the retreat with a full and glad heart. If you are a ministry wife, can I encourage you to consider coming next year? You might not think you need to come away for a while, but you could be such a blessing to another ministry wife who is exhausted and feeling the weight of expectation as they face yet another Sunday with all eyes on them. For us all, we need to lean hard on those everlasting arms. For more info Thrive 2018 will take place between Monday 14 May and Wednesday 16 May. The Ministry Wives Retreat 2018 will take place between Wednesday 16 May and Friday 18 May. Both events take place at Holland House, a retreat centre in Worcestershire. Keep an eye on fiec.org.uk/events for details.
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PARTNER WITH US In the last edition of Together magazine, we sent everyone a leaflet inviting them to become FIEC Partners. But why would an individual choose to support the work and ministry of FIEC? We asked Peter Mawson – one of our generous givers to explain: Ten years ago when I served with a church in Bristol, my younger colleague would sometimes speak, a little ungenerously, that being a member of the FIEC was like being tethered to a dead horse! Personally, I’ve always been a supporter of FIEC but I sort of understood what he meant. There was a general feeling that FIEC was not significant to what we were doing on the ground, and that things needed to change. Well, it was around that time that significant change did happen and change has continued within FIEC, which I’m sure we all thank God for. The realisation of the deeply worrying spiritual malaise in our nation, the general disaffection with the church and the trampling of God’s laws in such a blatant way, has motivated us all, and particularly FIEC, that we must take the battle to the enemy. I have been deeply thankful at the clear gospel focus of FIEC and the desire to make sure we do everything to bring the gospel to our nation. The initiatives of church planting, church revitalisation, and training the next generation of gospel workers has been hugely welcome. Each time my wife and I have attended the Leaders’ Conference we have been increasingly impressed with the number of young men and women committed to gospel work; I now feel slightly out of place with my grey hair, and for once, I’m delighted this is the case. The increasing number of younger men and women who are being supported in their training by the Training Fund, and churches helped
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financially to offer training opportunities, augurs well for the health of churches in the future. I have personally valued enormously the encouragement and teaching I’ve received through the Pastors’ Network. In short, my wife and I count it a privilege to set aside part of our personal income each month for the work of FIEC through the Partner Scheme. I can’t think of a more effective use of our giving. I have also encouraged my church to give over and above the suggested annual donation. Although, like any church, we have many calls on our giving, my congregation and fellow church leaders recognise the strategic place FIEC has under God for reaching Great Britain with the gospel. We want to joyfully be part of that strategy. I don’t think I have ever felt that being joined to FIEC was like being tethered to a dead horse, and actually neither did my colleague; he just liked to be provocative! I count it a tremendous privilege to be part of such a Fellowship which treasures the gospel and the Lord Jesus Christ. I pray that I personally, and my church in particular, will joyfully give all we can to see gospel churches in this country flourish and the gospel ring out far and wide. For more info Would you be willing to partner with us? The best way to do that is by praying for our work and ministry. See pages 14 and 15 for information about our new video and prayer resource. If you’d be willing to give to our work regularly or with a one-off donation, you will find a giving form on the back of the sheet containing your address if you get Together by post. Otherwise you can find out about giving to FIEC online at fiec.org.uk/donate
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£120,000 FOR TRAINING We launched the FIEC Training Fund in 2012 to provide financial assistance to men and women, enabling them to train for gospel ministry in Independent churches. It was a simple
GRAHAM THOMSON FROM HOPE CHURCH HUDDERSFIELD HAS BENEFITED FROM THE FUND
aim which, year
Adrian Reynolds
after year, in
we’re all about as we apply
God’s goodness
biblical principles to standing
we’ve been able
with one another: independent yet interdependent. The money raised offers financial help to individuals who are embarking on some theological training and for churches who want to employ someone in a training position. In the latest round of grants, we helped individuals as diverse as an ex-professional footballer and a manager from a Preta-Manger store. We are able to stand financially with all kinds of churches in different situations – there is no onesize-fits-all model to which applicants have to adhere. At the Leaders’ Conference in 2016 we launched two short films and bespoke printed materials to enable churches to host a Giving Day for the Training Fund with their congregation. Since then, we’ve been delighted
to fulfil.
In the last eight months we have been able to raise more than £120,000 to supplement the generous donations we have already received. This money has come from a mix of individuals and churches. In some cases, God has moved the hearts of individuals to give to the Training Fund. Money has also come from churches – some from a Giving Day, some as a proportion of money given to them from other sources and some as a token of thanks from churches who have been helped by the fund.
Standing with one another It is this sense of working together that makes the fund such an exciting venture for FIEC: a worked example of what fiec.org.uk
to see Giving Days taking place up and down the country.
A real need This year, we’ll be asking churches to again consider supporting the fund as it remains a real need to see men and women trained for gospel ministry if we are to reach Britain for Christ. This latest sum of money means that we have helped 52 churches and 63 individuals with more than £1.2 million in grants since the fund was launched in 2012. We can all see the need. Can you help us to meet it? Adrian Reynolds, FIEC Training Director For more info: If you would be willing to give to the FIEC Training Fund you can find out more information online at fiec.org.uk/donate
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A PLACE TO STAND 2017 sees the 500th anniversary of the start of the Reformation. To mark that anniversary, the fourth issue of our theological resource Primer is on the doctrine of justification. We asked the editor – our Theological Adviser David Shaw – to give us an introduction: Martin Luther’s preface to his commentary on Romans describes it like this, “It can never be read or pondered on too much and the more it is dealt with, the more precious it becomes and the better it tastes.” But it’s not all good news. As Luther laments, Paul’s letter has also been “evilly darkened by commentaries and all kinds of idle talk.” Romans then: delicious, but disputed. And we might say the very same things about the doctrine of justification. We chose it as a topic for Primer issue 04 because ‘the more it is dealt with the
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more precious it becomes
was ‘post tenebras lux’ – ‘after
and the better it tastes’. It is
the darkness, light.’
a delicious doctrine, one that
And so, in this anniversary
speaks to us of a God who
year, celebrating 500 years
justifies the ungodly, who
since Luther launched the
welcomes sinners. And it is
Protestant Reformation, we
a transformative doctrine,
also want to help churches to
inviting us to extend the same
understand their roots and to
welcome to others that we
preserve and protect the truth
have experienced from God.
of the gospel. That means
WE ALSO WANT TO HELP CHURCHES TO UNDERSTAND THEIR ROOTS AND TO PRESERVE AND PROTECT THE TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL. But justification is also the
understanding the context of the Reformation and it means understanding something of the ongoing debates about justification. So with those things in mind, let me introduce you to Primer issue 04: Matthew Barrett gives us a bird’s eye view of church history from Augustine to Luther, focusing on the ways in
subject of ‘all kinds of idle talk’
which grace and justification
and has been ‘evilly darkened’
are understood. What becomes
over the centuries. For that
clear is that the debates are
reason, one of the great
really about human nature.
slogans of the Reformation
To what extent are we able to fiec.org.uk
win God’s favour or activate his blessing? These are vital issues and Matthew carefully guides us through them. We then move forward to the 17th century with Paul Gibson annotating an extract from John Owen. ‘The Prince of Puritans’ was a great champion of justification and defended it in his day against several challenges. Next up we have Gregg Allison, a leading authority on contemporary Roman Catholicism, helping us understand whether the Reformation is still relevant to how Protestants and Catholics relate. He carefully lays out both positions and highlights a number of ongoing and significant differences. Yet more challenges to the Reformed doctrine of justification have emerged in recent decades. There is what’s known as the New Perspective (made popular by former bishop Tom Wright) which argues that we have wrongly projected 16th century questions about individual sinners and their guilty consciences back onto the 1st century.
Within New Testament scholarship there are others wanting to argue that Paul combines Protestant and Catholic ideas, or that our whole conception of God as a God of retributive justice punishing sinners needs re-thinking. These might seem like irrelevant debates to many of us, but these ideas filter down and are being embraced more and more widely. Of course we don’t need to know all the intricacies of the debates and that’s why we asked David Starling to sift through them, drawing out what gospel workers need to know and what we can learn. David’s done a great job here – it’s really worth strapping in and digesting his argument. Finally we have two articles that help us put justification to work in the local church. I’ve written a piece trying to explore what difference justification makes to how we live and then Steve Timmis answers some of our questions about how to think about, teach and illustrate justification by faith in ways that connect and engage. David Shaw, FIEC Theological Adviser
ALSO AVAILABLE...
issue 01 The Doctrine of Scripture
issue 02 The Doctrine of Sin
issue 03 Gender and Sexuality
With contributions from Ralph Cunnington, Dave Puttick, John Stevens, Fred Zaspel and B B Warfield.
With contributions from Graham Beynon, Kirsten Birkett, John Frame, Mark Troughton, Tim Ward and John Calvin.
With contributions from Sam Allberry, Sharon James, Alastair Roberts, Pete Sanlon, Peter Saunders, Ed Shaw and Robert S. Smith.
You can buy Primer online at www.thegoodbook.co.uk/primer fiec.org.uk
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13-15 Nov 2017 Riviera Conference Centre Torquay Speakers include > Thabiti Anyabwile Matt Schmucker Michael Reeves Adrian Reynolds Paul Rees find out more > fiec.org.uk/lc2017
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NEW LIFE IN BIRMINGHAM Sometimes the best option for the furtherance of the gospel is to see a church close. It sounds like a contradiction, so how is it be possible? Zion Church in Ravensden is one example. As this church in Bedfordshire grew increasingly elderly and their numbers declined, the members decided that the best gospel outcome was for them to stop meeting. Why? So that the money raised from the sale of their assets could be used to further other gospel work. The remaining members made the bold and generous decision to sell their building, raising more than £150,000, while the members committed to pray for those that would use this money. But Zion Church didn’t go through this process on their own. FIEC Practical Services – the legal arm of FIEC – have been working hard to help churches reach the difficult decision to stop meeting, before helping them to sell church buildings or use them in a different way for the spread of the gospel. So what has the money from Ravensden been spent on? 70 miles up the road is Bloomsbury Evangelical Church in the Nechells area of Birmingham. The community it serves has changed so much during the lifetime of the church. They too decided to close – but rather than selling this building, some of Ravensden’s money has been used to repair it. That’s because there is now a church planting couple who want to reach into Nechells – an area with a large Muslim population. The roof at Bloomsbury has been repaired and now a new work will start in Nechells, using Bloomsbury’s building. The church planting couple are supported by City Church Birmingham, an FIEC church nearby and 2020 Birmingham, a group of church planting churches in the city. Nechells has large populations of Pakistani, Somali, Eritrean, Sudanese and Bengali peoples. The church planting couple want to remain fiec.org.uk
anonymous because of the nature of the ministry they are engaged in but commented: “The building in Nechells has the potential of being a tremendous asset in helping meet the practical and spiritual needs of the community. We believe that, due to the large Muslim community and the small evangelical witness in Nechells, initially the building may not be best served as a church. Instead, we will use the building for English classes, homework clubs, counselling and the like. “But our goal is that in three years a fellowship of believers, from within the Nechells community, will be meeting in the building.” Please pray for this work starting in Nechells. Please also pray for churches at the other end of the spectrum as they work with FIEC Practical Services to make the best use of their assets for the sake of the gospel.
For more info As churches face difficult decisions like this, they need lawyers who understand complex property trusts and legal processes, but are also pastorally understanding of the pain involved for church members and trustees to bring a work to an end. This is where FIEC Practical Services can help. practicalservices@fiec.org.uk or 01858 411569.
AN ENGLISH CLASS
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BOOK REVIEWS
We would like to say a big thank you to Jonathan Carswell and 10ofThose for providing these book reviews.
God’s Leader
Luther and the 9.5 Theses
By Andy Mason
By Kenneth Brownell
Andy opens up ten key Bible passages as he reminds leaders of God’s priorities for their lives. Starting with a much-needed emphasis on the cross, followed by a chapter on the word, he then moves on to cover issues such as spiritual warfare, prayer, laziness, and opposition. His final chapter describes some of the complications leaders face, and reminds us of our weakness, lack of knowledge, and vulnerability. Throughout he keeps bringing us back to Christ as the ultimate fulfilment of all the leadership passages of the Bible. How good it is when Christian leaders point people to the Saviour and not themselves. I was particularly helped and challenged by the chapter from 1 Corinthians 13 on the need to be loving leaders. It is all too easy to be mesmerised by a talented leader’s gifts and to forget two major emphases: first, the New Testament focuses on a leader’s character; and second, without love for those we serve, our speaking efforts are only empty noise. Although only a brief book, it packs a big punch, and underscores the solid spiritual realities that no leader should neglect. This book will remind leaders and church members what is at stake and encourage serious prayer for this vital aspect of church life. Very warmly commended.
It’s 500 years since Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to a church door initiating the process that we now call the Reformation. As we remember this anniversary Kenneth Brownell highlights 9.5 (10 really) things we need to do if we are to recover the Christianity of the Reformation in Britain. This pithy book begins with two fast-paced chapters giving an overview of the life and work of Martin Luther. Brownell then loosely uses Luther’s 95 Theses to provide 10 short thoughts to shape our practice as evangelicals today. These include the centrality of Scripture to all we do, the need for well-trained pastors whose ‘learning must fear God and be intellectually rigorous’ and the need for us to care passionately about ordinary people’s spiritual welfare and have preachers who can reach all kinds of people. His chapter on the crucial doctrine of justification by faith is an excellent challenge to make this doctrine ‘a living reality in our churches and lives.’ Brownell includes a superb observation that many of us take God’s holiness so lightly that we barely see the need for justification whilst others, despite theoretical commitment to the doctrine, actually rely on our good works for our justification. I certainly felt challenged to ‘start each day with a thoroughgoing stand on Luther’s platform.’
Ray Evans Lead Pastor, Grace Community Church Bedford and FIEC Church Leadership Consultant
Kathryn Jackson Family Ministries Worker, Cornerstone Church, Nottingham
FIEC Together Summer 2017
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25% off
If you w ant to pu rchase a of our fe ny atured b ooks you get 25% can off at th e checko at www.1 ut 0ofThos e.com b quoting y TOGETH ERFIEC a a promo s tional co de.
The 5 Solas Series Edited by Matthew Barrett 2017 marks the 500th anniversary of the start of the Reformation, a time in church history where men and women went back to the Bible and rediscovered the good news of the gospel for their generation and every generation to follow. At the centre of this movement were the touchstone doctrines that came to be known as the ‘five solas’ (Latin for ‘alone’) – Scripture alone, grace alone, faith alone, Christ alone, and to God’s glory alone. However, many Christians today, even those who count the Reformers as part of their theological heritage, view the Reformation with a mixture of suspicion, embarrassment, and even ignorance. Many in our churches don’t know what the Reformation was, who was involved and why it even matters. Enter The 5 Solas Series. In these five volumes, each covering a separate sola, and written by some of today’s finest theologians, we are introduced to the importance and relevance of the five solas for the Church today. Each book looks at the historical and biblical roots of the relevant sola and how to apply these truths in the face of contemporary challenges. Every volume is eminently thoughtful, engagingly biblical, and written with a view to the pressures of everyday Christian living in our 21st century context. This series is sure to be foundational in grounding the faith of a new generation and generating a renewed appreciation for the Reformers and what they stood for. I warmly recommend them for the benefit of pastors, students and any Christian who wishes to be built up in the faith once and for all delivered to the saints! Matt Brown Ministry Development Assistant, 10ofThose
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Since the last edition of Together:
NEW CHURCH AFFILIATIONS Aspley Evangelical Church, Nottingham Braintree Evangelical Church, Essex High Road Baptist Church, North Finchley, London Kingfisher Church, St Neots, Cambridgeshire New Life Church, Whitehaven Redeemer Church Manchester Sedbury Evangelical Church, Chepstow Wooler Evangelical Church, Northumberland
NEW CHURCH PLANT RECOGNITIONS Grace Church Orkney, Scotland Grace Church Wakefield (Planted by Dewsbury Evangelical Church) The Crowded House, Leicester (Planted by The Crowded House, Loughborough) Town Church Bicester (Planted by Magdalen Road Church, Oxford) Spen Valley Church, Cleckheaton, Yorkshire (In conjunction with Gospel Yorkshire)
fiec.org.uk fb.com/theFIEC @theFIEC 01858 434540 admin@fiec.org.uk Registered Charity No. 263354 / 1168037 Charity registered in Scotland SC047080
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