Ready, Eager, Devoted

Details: Published: Wednesday, 23 March 2016 02:00; Written by James Dean

This last week, Nikki and I were privileged to attend the FIEC's annual Leaders Conference in Hemsby, Norfolk. It's the first one we've been to and we were so encouraged over the few days as we were there. John Stevens (the director of FIEC) took us through the letter to Titus each day calling us to be "Ready, Eager and Devoted" to the churches we lead. I hope you were able to take in just some of what we heard as I shared that with you on Sunday in my sermon.

There was a lot going on over the three days but as well as the main teaching sessions and seminars we also attended some "meet ups". These are smaller groups where a specific subject was being discussed. In one of these it was incredibly moving to hear testimony of some very small churches needing to close but were able to use what resources they did have to support other churches - truly John 12:24 in action. Other churches were being "revitalised" and having life breathed into them again which was a humbling experience in many cases for all involved.

As a small church ourselves, we need to remind ourselves that we are far from being alone in the work of the gospel. There is so much to be thankful to God for, especially so in the work the FIEC are doing in the areas of church planting and church revitalisation. This country has never been in greater need of churches that are faithful to God and to the gospel than it is today and it is wonderful to see him work in the lives of so many people in so many places around the UK, including Buckingham.