Today I watched a DVD on the Hebridean Revival. I was struck by the testimony about the minister who was becoming discouraged about the declining attendance at the prayer meeting. Attendance had fallen to three people and even though he had decided to announce that the prayer meeting would close, he could not bring himself to do so, thinking he would close it the following week. The next week attendance had grown. The week after, the Holy Spirit fell upon the Hebridean Islands, God’s glory was revealed and many came to faith.
It is so easy to become discouraged. It happens to us all. We want the instant response to our prayers. Yet so often we need to “hang on in there” and persist in our prayers, witness and ministry.
At the Methodist Conference, the prayer meeting was asked to pray for those young ministers who are becoming discouraged because they feel unable to fulfil their calling. Some are leaving the church. Others are finding new opportunities as we seek to use people’s gifts in local Fresh Expressions, VentureFX, or in a range of new styles of ministry. Please join me in supporting these sisters and brothers with our prayers and even letters or words of encouragement.
Some members are becoming discouraged and leaving the church because of the lack of biblical teaching and relevant worship or being unable to live with the decisions of the church on such issues as human sexuality. These are areas where MET is working hard on your behalf. The Digging For Treasure conferences on expository preaching are seeking to equip our preachers. We are engaged in the conversations around the Connexion on the human sexuality issues. We are seeking to do so by upholding the truth with grace.
In the Marathon and 10K races of the Athens 2004 Olympics, many were disappointed with Paula Radcliffe, not because she did not win gold but because she did not finish the race. We may begin the race with high expectations but when these are not met and there are struggles we may feel like pulling off the track and giving in.
The writer of the Hebrews wrote a letter of encouragement to a group of dispirited Christians. There were facing persecution and other discouragement. Besides focussing upon Jesus’ high priestly ministry, there was a call to persevere (Hebrews 10:19-25). Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit the writer gave practical steps to help us keep going.
First we need to draw near to God. At the MET Prayer Conference, Linda Holt led us in seeking the Father’s heart. Many there experienced a time of renewal and healing. In a time of meditation, I was drawn into the presence of God. It was a time of repentance, cleansing and renewal. There were words of encouragement and ministry. I was reminded once again how tiring ministry is for all of us and how we need to allow ourselves to come into God’s presence, receive his love and be sent out again in his power.
We need to hold on to the hope of the gospel we profess. We are engaged in spiritual warfare. It is so easy to look at the situation rather than to fix our eyes upon Jesus and rejoice in his glorious victory on the cross. We look forward to the Kingdom of God being brought in by the return of Jesus Christ. In the meantime we seek to establish God’s Kingdom in the hearts of people in our communities. There is only one name by which people can be saved – Jesus.
We need to be in fellowship with one another to spur us on to love and good works. Many of you enjoy attending conferences and retreats because of the fellowship of being alongside like-minded people. MET are seeking to encourage regional fellowships for precisely that reason. I am aware that people attend known evangelical and charismatic churches on occasions in order to continue to minister faithfully in their own churches. Seek places where you can gain fellowship and encouragement to help sustain you in the ministries you perform.
Let us not give up for the Day of Christ’s return is approaching. As I listen to people, I sense that a move of the spirit in renewal and revival is coming. In our own church we should be encouraged that after years of prayer, the themes of discipleship, mission, church planting, preaching, healing and prayer are firmly on the agenda of the church. We thank God that he has raised people to places of influence and support them with our prayers. We look forward to seeing God bless this work as it flows out to our congregations and communities.
As we enter 2010, I hope that these few words will be God’s word of encouragement to you. Be assured of his love and the empowering of his Holy Spirit. Feel the Father’s pleasure as you offer your life in his service.