congregational concern concern winter 2007 3 committee’s agreed method of producing a figure for...

CongregationalConcern

Issue No. 182 Winter 2007

Magazine of the Evangelical Fellowship of Congregational Churches

e fc c

gospel truth •gospelindependence•gosp

elfe

llow

ship

•

Complete Concern.qxp:Complete Concern.5 16/1/07 15:50

Concernis the magazinefor and aboutthe EvangelicalFellowship ofCongregationalChurches

Editor:Rev. PETER BEALEAssistant Editors:Rev. CYRIL ASTONRev. MICHAEL PLANTRev. PETER ROBINSONContents:Round about 1Mike Plant 2Focus on

Panagyurishte 4The Trinity 7Gilbert Kirby 10Prayer Conference 12Further afield: the

Muslim world 14Pause for thought 17Book shelf 18From the Guest

House 20

Editor’s comment

Cover illustration: Rev.Gilbert Kirby, courtesyof Countess ofHuntingdon’sConnexion.

For some reason when planning this issue ofConcern we omitted to include the next inour “Congregational Worthies” series. But

perhaps that was appropriate, in that we paytribute to one who was certainly a CongregationalWorthy of the last century—Rev. Gilbert Kirby,who recently went to be with the Lord.

We owe much to men like Gilbert, together withsome who are still with us—Stan Guest, GordonBooth, Brian Dupont, Derek Swann and others—who stood firm against the Congregational“downgrade” and were responsible for the settingup of the Evangelical Fellowship ofCongregational Churches.

We hope that you will find this issue of themagazine stimulating, mind-stretching, and aboveall, an encouragement to you to grow in theknowledge and love of our Saviour.

Peter Beale

e fc c

gospel truth •gospelindependence•gosp

elfe

llow

ship

•

Complete Concern.qxp:Complete Concern.5 16/1/07 15:50

Congregational Concern Winter 2007 1

Round about

With the LordEric Hedges, former Church Secretary at St John’s Congregational

Church, Thornton Heath, went to be with his Lord on November 26th.Eric was lay-pastor at Westbrook Evangelical Church, Thornton Heathfrom 1951–67 when he moved to St John’s with his wife Lucie. Therehe quickly involved himself in the work and was a faithful memberthroughout his life. He was Church Secretary for a number of yearsduring a long interregnum so he bore heavy responsibilities at that time.He continued as a deacon right up to his death although he was unableto be as active as he would have liked. Eric was an able preacher andmemorable amongst his sermons were the ones on “others”encouraging us to be outward looking, and “Don’t worry” based onMatthew 6. Together with Lucie Eric was committed to world missions.He was a generous man with a dry sense of humour and a lot ofwisdom. Having suffered much in recent years his desire to be withChrist is now fulfilled which, he would often quote, is “better by far”!Eric will be greatly missed and our love and prayers go out to Lucie inher natural sadness.

Peter Taylor

Pastoral changesThe church at Ivybridge in Devon has called Rev. Fred Stephens

to be its minister. Mr Stephens was inducted to the pastorate inNovember.

Rev. David Bisset has been called to Morley Community Churchin West Yorkshire, and commenced his ministry there at the beginning ofDecember. Rev. Mike Plant is the preacher at his induction on 20thJanuary.

Mr Bisset’s previous church at Puckeridge in Hertfordshire has filledthe vacancy by calling Rev. Ray Waterman, previously pastor at MuchHadham.

Libanus Church at Morriston, Swansea, has called Rev. StuartDainty to be its pastor. Mr Dainty, who was due to take up the ministryat Morriston in late January, has been pastor at a church in Cefn Forest,near Blackwood.

Rev. Bob Cotton has concluded his ministry at Walsham-le-Willows in Suffolk.

Rev. Bill Calder, pastor of Halling Baptist Church in Kent, has beencalled to St John’s, Thornton Heath.

Complete Concern.qxp:Complete Concern.5 16/1/07 15:50 Page 1

2 Congregational Concern Autumn 2006

Dear Friends,

Are there any tentmakers out there?

Anumber of websites have a FAQ section. FAQ stands forFrequently Asked Questions and in my work with EFCC I haveencountered a number of FAQs. One frequent question, and it

stems from a national shortfall in the number of people seeking to enterthe ministry, is: “Are many of your churches looking for ministers?” Atthe risk of being annoying, I generally ask the person asking me to spellout exactly what they mean by their question. The reason for this is thatif I am asked: 1) “Are many of your churches looking for (andrealistically able to support) a fulltime minister?” then the answerwould be very different from the answer if the question is broadened to:2) “Are many of your churches looking for someone to providepastoral oversight and preaching whilst continuing (full-time or part-time) in secular employment?”

The answer to question 1 would normally be less than five whereas question2 is certainly far larger but would be hard to answer precisely. A church thatcannot support a pastor full-time may follow a number of different courseswhich don’t necessarily involve contacting EFCC and so I may not even knowof their needs and hopes. They may be looking at various local preachers tosee if any of them are suitable material or they may feel that all they can dois pray and wait to see if anyone suitable comes into contact with them. Inthese cases I am only likely to hear about their hopes and prayers if I visit anddiscuss how the church is going on with them.

Small churchesWe recently circulated the results of the EFCC Questionnaire to the

churches and it reminded us that we are largely a fellowship of smallchurches. There is nothing wrong with that and small churches havestrengths and opportunities that large churches may not have but itobviously means that funds will be smaller and supporting a minister willbe harder. Whilst many ministers live very sacrificially, the EFCC

From the Gen. Sec.



Committee’s agreed method of producing a figure for recommendedsalaries, which is based on the principle of Galatians 6:6, currentlysuggests £23,879 for a minister providing his own accommodation. Oneobvious answer is for people to minister according to the pattern of theapostle Paul and support themselves financially by other work. Suchpeople, like Paul, may be prepared to move around the country in orderto fulfil their ministry.

Before going any further I want to make a very strong point—I do notbelieve that the gifts of a pastor-tentmaker or the role are in any wayinferior to that of a full-time pastor. Indeed many of us who have provenministries would seriously doubt our own ability to be a tentmaker-pastor.

What is needed in a tentmaker-pastor?The answers are:—

• The same things that are needed in any pastor—calling evidenced inmature Christian character and leadership ability andpreaching/teaching gifts.

• A pioneer spirit which enables taking on a work without the supportstructures and gifted leaders that larger churches often have.

• The ability to hold down a secular job, which may be demanding,whilst serving the Lord in this way. Or being prepared to be supportedby a wife who is both able and willing to be the breadwinner.

Further problemThis produces a further problem which is making contact between

churches in need and potential tentmaker-pastors. It would not be difficultfor EFCC to produce a list of churches and their needs—indeed most ofthe information is already available and only needs to be set outsystematically. Regarding a list of those who would desire to betentmaker-pastors we are normally only approached by those seekingfull-time ministry and there is work to be done.

If you believe the Lord may be leading you in this direction what shouldyou do? Firstly: contact me, or Bob Cotton or Cyril Aston who areRegional Secretaries in the South-East and South-West, or Peter Bealewho is our Candidates’ Secretary, and we can advise you about possiblenecessary training and begin the process of assessing your suitability.

It may be that reading this article there will be church-leaders ormembers of churches who would benefit from being put in contact witha potential tentmaker-pastor and if this is so then discuss the matter atyour next meeting and then be in touch.

Yours in the Lord,

Mike Plant



Focus on …Panagyurishte, Bulgaria

by Emanuel Tinev

In the folds of the centralSredna Gora mountainrange, in the luscious

valley of the bubblingsouthbound Lounda Yanariver, lies Panagyurishte, thetown that was fortunate toplay a key role in one of thebrightest and most poignantmoments of Bulgarianhistory: the April 1876uprising, which concluded the Bulgarians’ struggle for national liberationafter five centuries of Ottoman oppression.

The town and the surrounding area did play a part in ancient history,too, despite being off the main roads of antiquity and the Middle Ages.A number of archaeological monuments have been discovered in andaround town, including several dozen Thracian burialmounds. One of them, the Mramor Mound, yielded theburial of a Thracian war-lord from the late fourth or earlythird century BC. Nearby, construction workers discoveredin 1949 what has now become the world-famousPanagyurishte Gold Treasure, a rare archaeological findfrom the Hellenic Age (fourth-third century BC). The nine vessels makingup the treasure—four rhytons shaped like animals’ heads, three ewerssculpted like Amazons’ heads, an amphora with handles in the shape ofcentaurs, and a phial, are all richly ornamented with mythical figures.The unique table set, a replica of which is on show at the PanagyurishteHistorical Museum, is the most interesting monument of culture whichThrace has yielded so far.

Sowing the seedThe first to sow the seeds of the gospel was the Bulgarian

evangelical Christian Pavel Cacev. He brought many Christian booksincluding the Bible. Soon after him, American missionaries came fromBoston to Panagyurishte. They had many evangelistic meetings in the



town and through theirministry, the Lord savedseveral families. Tocontinue and expand thework in Panagyurishte IvanSeichanov, who had justgraduated from theevangelical seminary inSamokov, was sent to bepastor. He was a goodpreacher and the Lord’swork grew. Because ofthat, the people from theOrthodox church began asevere persecution. All theevangelical Christians were arrested, locked in a public school andpressed to deny the Lord. Some of the believers were bitten by themob. But the Lord’s work flourished and in 1884 the church inPanagyurishte was established with 61 members. Two years later theLord blessed the church with a building in the town centre. In 1930the church building had to be enlarged. During these years theAmerican missionaries were working alongside the Bulgarian pastorsto spread the gospel and harvest the fruit the Lord was pleased to givethem.

Communist eraDuring the communist era, the church of Jesus Christ in Bulgaria

experienced intense trials and severe persecutions. This period beganwith the arrest of almost all the evangelical ministers in 1948, on theaccusation that they were American spies. They were given prisonsentences ranging from several years to life. At the same time otherministers and active Christians were sent directly to the communists’camps without any court decisions. The church in Panagyurishte wasnot spared from the fiery trial which the Lord God sent to test everychurch and every Christian in Bulgaria. The final persecution in1984–85 was crucial for the church in Panagyurishte. The minister,Nicola Raychev, was dismissed by the communists and not allowed toserve the church because he would not compromise and co-operatewith the authorities. The church was left once again without a pastor,but the secret police sent a puppet minister from the Pentecostal churchin Plovdiv. Soon the sheep scattered, because they found out that their“pastor” was actually a wolf in sheep’s clothing, and the church ceasedto meet.

Congregation of the church at Panagyurishte. Photo byNeil Stewart



Rebuilding of the churchAfter the fall of communism,

Emanuel Tinev, who had been inthe United States, was sent tosearch for believers and to start aBible-study group. In 1997 one ofthe two remaining church familiesopened their home for prayer andBible-study. For years Emanuel didnot see any results and wasdiscouraged, even though hefaithfully visited them everyWednesday night to teach them theBible. But then God blessed hisword, the group flourished and theroom was packed. During the lastthree years, God has added twelvenew Christians including three newfamilies. So we have a smallevangelical church inPanagyurishte once again for thesecond time. The members of thechurch are only seventeen but wetrust God to add new believers tothe church according to his will.The church in Panagyurishte is atestimony to God’s faithfulness tokeep and preserve a faithfulremnant for himself. And becauseof that, only to him be the glorynow and forever more.

Because there’s more to life than‘bread alone’. (Matthew 4:4)

ROYD COURT – a newneighbourhood for olderChristians, with a choice of

58 flats for rent or purchase in an extra care housing scheme byPilgrim Homes.

Viewing now• a choice of spacious apartments in an

elegant, well-managed new complexclose to the shops, major motorways, busand rail

• for independent living in a safe Christianneighbourhood, where spiritual life isvalued, and practical support and care isgiven in your own home in the scheme

• the freedom to live a Christian life in acommunity of like-minded Christians.

Royd Court is set in the little town ofMirfield, West Yorkshire, with its good rangeof churches, shops, library and health centres.

Send for the DVD tour, and the brochure.

Lynne Yule, Manager, Royd Court, Huddersfield Road,Mirfield, West Yorkshire WF14 9DJ

Telephone: 01924 489105

Email: [email protected]

www.roydcourt.org.uk www.pilgrimhomes.org.uk

Emanuel Tinev with Peter Robinson (Honiton).Photo by Neil Stewart



The Trinity

—A brief introductionby Ian Densham

The Trinity is a profound doctrine. Augustine feltthat to try to explain the Trinity was like tryingto fit the ocean into a hole dug in the sand.

Thus, I am certain that I am not going to do justice tothis great doctrine in a short article. By discussing the Trinity we will notbe able to explain God, but this doctrine gives a boundary to our thoughtsand safeguards the mystery. A little boy was once asked how many godsare there. “Only one,” he replied. “How do you know that?” “Becausehe fills Heaven and earth, so there is no room for another.” What aprofound answer!

So, how do we know about the Trinity? Only through revelation andby analysis of what the Scriptures teach. The word “Trinity” is used todefine what the Bible teaches, although the word itself never occurs inScripture.

We believe in one God. But the words of the Shorter Catechism arehelpful: There are three persons in the Godhead; the Father, the Son,and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one God, the same insubstance, equal in power and glory.

God is One: UnityWe are not simply saying that he is the only God, although that is true.

Rather, we are declaring that he is One in his very essence and being.Deuteronomy 6:4 tells us, “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lordis One!” This is a key verse and reminds us that God is indivisibly one.You cannot divide God or take away any quality or attribute from him.

God is Three-in-One: TrinityWe do not believe in three gods: that would be tri-theism. God is one,

but there is a plurality in the Godhead. Just as one times one times oneequals one, so God is a trinity in unity. The Father, the Son and the HolySpirit are each God, yet they are also distinct Persons.

For example, God often speaks of himself in the plural. In Genesis1:26 God says, “Let us make man”. This is not evidence for the Trinitybut a reminder of plurality in the Godhead. When Isaiah has the visionof God in the Temple, he hears the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send andwho will go for US?”



The Father is GodIt is clear that the Father is God. There are many references that

emphasise this and it is rarely disputed. The Jews knew that God wasFather in John 5:17–18.

The Son is GodIn the Old Testament we meet the Angel of the Lord. In each case we

discover that those who met with the Angel find that they are meetingwith God himself. For example, in Genesis 18 Abraham meets the threeangels who visit him to tell him about the birth of Isaac. But thespokesman is called “the LORD” (Jehovah or Yahweh) in verses 13–14.This is also the case for Moses in Exodus 3:2–3, Joshua in Joshua 5:13and 6:2 and for Gideon in Judges 6:11 and 14. These are pre-incarnateappearances of God the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

In the New Testament there are many evidences of God the Son. Heis eternally Son just as the Father is eternally and always Father. Therewas never a time when the Father was not the Father or the Son wasnot the Son. The Jews acknowledged that God was their Father andreacted so strongly against the claims of the Lord Jesus to be God theSon. They knew exactly what he was claiming and that was why theysought to put him to death for blasphemy. When Jesus told them theywere of their father the devil they did not take up stones against him.But when he takes the divine Name from the Old Testament uponhimself in John 8:58 they immediately take up stones to destroy him.They knew full well that he was claiming to be God and to be equal tothe Father.

The Holy Spirit is GodHe is also a Person and not simply a life force or influence. It is

significant that the Greek word for “spirit” is neuter. Yet time and againthe pronoun “he” is used to refer to the Holy Spirit. In John 16:13–14the pronoun “he” is used extensively and the Spirit is called the Spirit oftruth. In Hebrews 9:14 he is called the eternal Spirit. It is also significantthat in John 14:16 Jesus uses a word for “another” which means“another of the same kind”—one like me in every respect—to speak ofthe Comforter, the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit.

There are also a number of references where the three Persons of theTrinity are linked inseparably together. Probably one of the most well-known verses is in the words of the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19where the singular Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit isused. There is also the Trinitarian formula of the doxology in2 Corinthians 13:14.

A careful study of the major doctrines of the Scriptures will show that



each Person of the Trinity is intimately involved in every aspect of thework of redemption.

Good adviceDr E. F. Kevan, the first Principal of London Bible College, said: “Do

not try to explain to yourself how God can be three and yet one. Youmust accept it as something that God has made known to us abouthimself. There is nothing to be wondered at that we meet with mysteryin the revelation of God. God would cease to be God to us if we couldmeasure and explain and comprehend God completely.” That, to me, isgood advice as we adore and worship our God and wonder at themystery of his being.

Rev. Ian Densham is pastor of Alexandra Road CongregationalChurch, Hemel Hempstead

Congregational Studies ConferenceHave you booked for the Studies Conference on March 17th at

Highbury Quadrant Congregational Churches? If not, send off yourapplication or ring the EFCC office now. Speakers are Rev. PeterSeccombe (James Gilmour), Mr David Legg (The Covenants) and MrsLucy Beale (Selina, Countess of Huntingdon).

Promoting MissionsLooking ahead to the Ministers’ Prayer Conference ’07 we are

considering inviting a missionary from one of our EFCC churches tospeak about his or her work. He or she would need to be in this countrynext November. If you know of a missionary from your church who willbe home at that time please contact Rev. Peter Taylor on 01992890484, or [email protected] or 20 Middle St, Nazeing, WalthamAbbey, Essex, EN9 2LD.

Send your booking form now!WECF Triennial Conference

EFCC Family ConferenceHothorpe Hall, Leicestershire, 28 May–1 June 2007



Rev. Gilbert Kirby MA,1914–2006

A tribute by Brian Dupont

Gilbert was a Congregational Minister whose Evangelical andEvangelistic zeal was greatly honoured of God far beyond our owndenomination.

Brought up in a family who belonged to Bromley Church, he attendedEltham College. Sensing God’s call to the ministry, he trained atCheshunt College (by then in Cambridge). There he discovered that hewas the only Evangelical within the student body. He stood firm againstthe prevailing liberal teaching, and became Minister at Halstead.

On being called to Ashford (Middlesex) Congregational Church, hisGospel witness again faced opposition. During his pastorate the Churchwas transformed, and became firmly Bible based. A group of “his youngpeople”, whom he nurtured in the faith, have continued to hold regularreunions with him up to the current year. The Church’s influence sospread to other local Fellowships that in Congregational Union circles inthose days the area was referred to disparagingly as “the Bible Belt”!

CERFIt was during this time that Gilbert, together with Rev. Harland Brine,was led to found the Congregational Evangelical Revival Fellowship.They realised the dire state of so many Churches, resulting from theinroads of theological Modernism. Evangelical believers within thoseChurches lacked the fellowship and encouragement that the CERF wasto provide under Gilbert’s inspiring service as General Secretary.

Brenda and I first got to know and so appreciate him at one of theCERF Holiday Conferences on the Isle of Wight. He was a great practicalhelp and encouragement to me, as to otherEvangelical “theologs” who at that time werebattling their way through other liberalColleges.

Evangelical AllianceIn 1956 he was invited to become the

General Secretary of the Evangelical Alliance.This voice for Biblical truth and evangelismwas greatly enhanced by his patientdiplomatic skills, especially within the

Gilbert and Connie Kirbycelebrating their Diamond

Wedding in 2004 (photo by BrianBaldwin)



Evangelical Missionary Alliance. Rev. Joel Edwards, the present EAGeneral Secretary, sending a message from Africa to the ThanksgivingService for Gilbert’s life on 20th October, referred to his lasting legacy ofsocial care and evangelistic endeavour, as exemplified through TheEvangelical Alliance Relief (TEAR) Fund. His emphasis on “Unity inDiversity” helped many Bible believing Christians to become moreeffectively “workers together in the Gospel”. He supported energetically(some thought controversially!) the Missions led by Dr Billy Graham.

London Bible CollegeAt the Thanksgiving Service Rev. Derek Tidball, present Principal of

the London School of Theology (successor to the London Bible College)and also current Chairman of the EA, referred to Gilbert’s 14 years asPrincipal of the LBC. He recounted some of the advantageous initiativesundertaken, his willingness to take risks when he believed they were ofGod, and supremely his pastoral heart—a giant of an encouraging“Barnabas”.

Members at Staines Church recall with special gratitude Gilbert’sopening up of the Word, not only during his preaching visits here, butalso as he led 35 of us on an unforgettable “pilgrimage” to the HolyLand.

A godly exampleSo many of us who had the privilege of knowing Gilbert and benefiting

from his ministry regarded him as a “pastor in God”—a godly example.He was a deeply spiritual man, walking with the Lord, yet with a quickwit and delightful sense of humour. He both loved the Lord and careddeeply for people. He was very much a family man, as was so evidencedin the testimonies which a number shared at the Thanksgiving Service.He was wise and approachable. He was a “big man” in every sense—atrue servant leader—a “Barnabas”, yes indeed—but also, to me, a“Caleb”—to old age a man of faith and, until the onset of his final illness,of action. “Give me this mountain” (Joshua 14:12).

Many of us thank God for every remembrance of Gilbert Kirby. Weuphold his widow Connie, to whom he was so happily married for 60years, and the family in our love and prayers.


Ministers’ PrayerConference: FirstImpressionsby Bill Harrow (“pastor inwaiting”)

Sometimes we receive an invitation toan event and accept, and thenwonder just what we are letting

ourselves in for. First I was informallyinvited by the General Secretary MikePlant and then a letter arrived outlining theprogram with a formal invitation. I sent thereturn slip back and then some days laterread the programme. On the front pagewas the venue Willersley Castle,Derbyshire, did I need a suit of armour?Then looking at the daily activities itseemed very formal, did I need a dinnerjacket? Finally to the program content, Imight need something to give me stamina.

On arrival at Willersley Castle I realised Iwould probably need all three! After drivingup the long drive I was confronted by alarge grand looking building withcastellations around the top. I was directedup to the Mews (well at least it was not thedungeon): the room was very comfortable.I had just enough time to unpack my Bibleand note book before the first session. Fish out of water?

At first I felt like a fish out of water,everybody knew each other and all seemedto know just where they were going andwhat they were doing. After meeting,greeting and a cup of tea we were into thesessions proper, which started with DavidMeredith of Smithton-Culloden FreeChurch of Scotland talking about

Preaching Sin and Judgement in a WorldWithout Guilt. He used John 4:1–26 ashis text and reminded us that the world feelsno guilt, because of the total acceptance ofguilt. David was the main conferencespeaker doing the opening and closingsession and two expositions from Ezekiel.Thought-provoking

Paul Howell of Pontefract led a thoughtprovoking session on the reforming ofleadership. Mike Plant spoke fromRomans 1:1–18 and looked at the corevalues in the life of the church particularlywith regard to renewing the vision for thechurch and ministry.

Missionary speakers either enthuse youwith their passion or bore you to sleep. Wewere very fortunate to have two goodPowerPoint presentations. The first was avery moving presentation by Will Nivenabout Albania, sharing with us some of theproblems he faces in a country that isstruggling to catch up because of the yearsunder communism. He also told us of thedifficulties the evangelical church hasbecause of the State Orthodox Church.The second was about southern Indiashowing that despite adversity the churchcan still grow. Church history

Last but not least Dr Gary Williams of OakHill College delved into church history andgave two riveting talks, one giving someinsight into the life of John Calvin andanother on the theology of John Owen.

There is so much more I could share, theangelic choir like singing of a large groupof men intent on worshipping the Lord,the magnificent countryside, the food, thefellowship but space does not allow it.However one thing I must say is that by theend of the conference I felt very much likea fish in water.

12 Congregational Concern Winter 200712 Congregational Concern Autumn 2006



Home insurance for people who believe that value is about more thanjust money. At Congregational we always try to save you money onyour home insurance. But we also seek to add value to our policies.That means ensuring that you always receive service which exceedsyour expectations, from enquiring about a policy to making a claim. Itmeans embracing honesty and integrity in our business philosophy.Andit means investing in people and putting something tangible back intothe community by donating both money and time to worthy causes,through the work of the Congregational Charitable Trust.

So if you are concerned to protect the things you value with anorganisation that shares your values, call Congregational now for acompetitive home insurance quote on 0800 012 1891 (quoting refCC076), get a quote online at www.shared-values.co.uk or write to us atCongregational, PO Box 944, Bradford BD1 9DJ.

Calls may be recorded and monitored for security and service quality.



Further Afield … Called toWork in the Muslim World

by Diane

Islam is the second largest religion in the worldwith up to 1.2 billion Muslims, representing some22% of the world’s population; 1 in 5 people are

Muslim. Of the world’s 211 largest unreachedpeoples, 123 are Muslim. A few years ago it wasestimated that there are only 2–3 missionaries permillion Muslims in the world. As shocking as that is,I believe the missionary tide is turning; many moremissionaries are concerned to “go out into all theworld” and preach the good news to Muslim people. Islam is mostdefinitely one of the greatest missionary challenges of our day.

Muslims today are often portrayed as “terrorists” and fundamentalist bythe media, although such represent only a fraction of the Muslim world.They receive most of the attention because of the terror some cause. Itis important to note that the majority of Muslims are against terrorismand do not want to be associated with extremists or terrorism. If we viewall Muslims as terrorists or extremists it will be impossible for us to bemotivated to share the gospel with them.

God loves MuslimsThe biblical view of Muslims is that God loves

them. Muslims, like us, have been created inGod’s image; like us, all Muslims have sinnedand fallen short of God’s perfect standards andthus face the wrath and judgment of God. Theyare without hope and lost, even though theyare sincere and are, in their own way, seekingGod. Like us, God loved them so much that hesent his Son into the world so that “whoever”believes in Jesus will have eternal life. Yet howcan they believe if they have not heard, andhow can they hear without someone going andtelling them (Rom. 10:14)? Without us “going”they will not hear the good news. Asevangelicals the challenge is whether we really care about Muslims. Arewe willing to count the cost and even suffer for the sake of the gospel?



Challenge from GodThis was the challenge God put before me as a student at theological

college. Sat in a classroom listening to lectures on Islam, I had nocomprehension what God was about to do in my life. I’m not sure if itwas the challenge of Islam or the concern for Muslims that led me tostudy Islam in depth but the following two years led me on a journey fullof challenges and surprises. Not only was I overwhelmed by the love ofGod for Muslims, I was also ashamed at my lack of love and burden forpeople who had no hope despite their sincere “religiosity.”

My call to be a witness to Muslims did not happen overnight but beganwith a burden for Muslim people and grew and grew until God made itclear that he wanted me to go and tell them the good news. My fear ofMuslims was replaced by a love and a passion that remains to this day.

Building bridgesA couple of years ago I journeyed

from Europe to Asia, travellingacross a bridge in Istanbul thatspans the straits. This bridge is soimportant for the purpose of linkingtwo continents, allowing people tocross to the other side. In a spiritualsense, bridges can make it possiblefor people of diverse worldviews tomake positive contact one withanother. Bridges are being built across the world between Christians andMuslims in friendship, in business ventures, through teaching English andthrough concern for the poor and marginalized.

Although “building bridges” is important, it is essential the gospel ispreached with an understanding of Islam. Muslims have manymisunderstandings about Christianity. As Christians we need to correctthese misunderstandings so that Muslims are not “put off” fromconsidering the gospel. Many books have been written recommendingvarious methods and approaches in evangelism; although some of theseare helpful, it is God who works in their hearts. It has been my pleasureand delight to see Muslims come to faith in Jesus. Bridge building is areminder of God’s love for Muslim people worked out through those sentby God and who are willing to go and share the message of his love.

Diane is a member of Pontefract Congregational Church. Anychurches that would like her to speak to them about the Lord’s workamongst Muslims overseas are asked to contact Richard Myerscoughon 01977 702093.

Photo by Huygens, www.flickr.com/photos/huygens/128957600



Pause for Thought

Are you a risk taker or a caretaker?By Keith Wilson

On several occasions at the recent EFCC Prayer Conference as Ilistened to fellow pastors talk about struggles in ministry, I keptthinking to myself—“But what if we were to take some risks?!”

Someone has said that there are two kinds of people in church—thereare the risk takers and there are the caretakers. If the risk takers in thechurch are fuelled by the caretakers then they will all go to theundertakers!!

Zacchaeus was a man who one day dared to take a riskand climbed a tree, and his life was never the same again(Luke 19:1–10). Although utterly despised and shunnedby all around him, like everyone else, he just wanted tocatch a glimpse of Jesus. Much to the complete horror ofall around, Jesus met this unpopular little man where hewas, and before long, Jesus is welcoming him as a Son

of Abraham. How could such a rapid and incredible

transformation take place? The answer isfound in the fact that Jesus also climbed atree. Not a sycamore tree, but the tree ofCalvary. He was despised, rejected andcursed so that the despised, rejected andcursed like Zacchaeus, might be welcomedinto God’s family (Gal. 3:13).

As a Christian I must never forget thatthere was a time when I was just as far from God as Zacchaeus was. Butone day, just like Zacchaeus, Jesus stopped, looked at me and called meby name, and said that he wanted to be with me. This is the wonderful,glorious truth of the gospel. How real is this truth to you today?

The grace of God so changed Zacchaeus that others benefited big time.You can imagine the headlines of the Jericho Echo: Zac’s on track—Giving money back! It is only when a life has been transformed by thegospel of grace that risks are taken and that life is given away.

Have you taken any risks for God recently? Have you risked yourreputation or a relationship, your resources or retirement for the sake ofthe gospel of grace? If not, then maybe it is because you have temporarilylost sight of the glorious gospel of grace.


Faith in the Furnace:Understanding God’spurposes in the trials of life

by Ian ReesDay One, 208pp, £8A review by Alan Millar

Here is a suggestion of how tospend those Christmas booktokens. Purchase a copy of Faith

in the Furnace.Is it possible for us today to rejoice when

we face disappointments, tragedies,persecutions, bereavements and setbacks?In an engaging and highly readable style,Ian Rees shows us that suffering is anormal part of the Christianexperience, and that Christians down theages, from believers in Old Testament timesright up to the present day, have often hadthe experience of their faith being putthrough the furnace, and that there is aplan and a purpose in our trials, even whenwe feel God has forgotten us. This is a bookthat is full of sound biblical teaching, richlyillustrated from church history, missionarywork, church life and contemporaryculture, and written sensitively and in adeeply pastoral manner.

What others have said:“Deals sensitively and practically with

the massive problems we face.”“Easy to read, practical, faithful to

Scripture.”“Highly illustrated from examples in pop

culture, modern writers and film media.”“Easy reading but solid stuff. The themes

dealt with are deep very deep but handledso helpfully and pastorally andbiblically.”— Paul Pease

“Those whoread this book willthank God for itand those whopreach will soonbe quoting from it.— Chris Kelly

“Fresh andilluminating …” —Eric E Wright

Life-changing booksby Gary Aston

Working in a bookshop gives youtime to think. There’ssomething about the heady mix

of paper and coffee that stimulates thegrey cells. And, amongst a lot of thingsthat I won’t bore you with, I was ponderingon the gift of reading that God has givenus. Books are so much more than the sumof their parts—they have the potential toshape, change and alter the way we thinkabout the world we live in and, perhapsunsurprisingly, God is very interested inbooks. He has of course given us thesupreme book of the Bible, but he has alsogiven his church a treasure trove ofliterature over the past two thousand yearsand it would be a tragedy to miss out onthe way a book can enrich your Christianlife. So what follows is a highly selective listof Christian books that have beensignificant in my own life. There are manyothers, Christian and non-Christian, thathave been vital to me in many differentways, but the ones I have chosen are booksthat changed me. I mean really changedme—my patterns of thought, behaviour,theology, view of God.

But these are my books and all booksare, to a degree, subjective. These books



might change you like they did me. Butthen again, they might not. Whatever theydo I hope they make you read.The Pleasures of God by JohnPiper.

No writer I know better understands themodern world we live in and then, in turn,applies the bible with such piecing clarityinto that world than John Piper. Piper ispassionate about God’s glory and this bookis an eloquent, lyrical, challenging, thrillinginvitation to be passionate with him. Thetheology is deep, saturated in the richheritage of the puritans; the arguments areimpassioned; the bible is central; theconclusions radical.

This book shocked, shaped anddeveloped my theology like no otherbefore and no other since. The Holiness of God by R.C.Sproul

This book brought me to my knees as itpainted a stunning picture of theotherness, the separateness, the holinessof God. It untamed a God I too often hadtamed; unleashed a God I too often hadchained. It took away irreverent cosinessand at the same time heightened genuineintimacy. The God of the Bible is a God ofunparalleled magnificence. This bookhelped me appreciate that more. Chapter2 still sends shivers down my spine. Disciplines of a Godly Man by RKent Hughes

There’s no better way to describe thisbook than as a gym for the soul. It’s aworkout, a modern day manual ofspirituality. Thoroughly biblical yetuncomfortably, life alteringly practical. Itstopped me saying “if only I could dosomething about this part of my Christianlife” and forced me to prayerfully confrontand implement a strategy to change it. I

honestly believe that this book advocatesexactly what Christ meant when he calledus to be disciples. It puts practical flesh onthe bones of Paul’s call to “train forgodliness.”

Don’t read this book unless you are manenough. I mean that.God in the Wasteland by David FWells

There are rare moments when a bookpins you to your seat, grasps you with itswords and wrestles you with its message—for me, this was one of them. Wells knowsCalvin but also understands Madonna; ishistorically orthodox but propheticallyrelevant. No-one deconstructs where ourculture is at better than Wells. Hediagnoses sickness in the heart ofevangelicalism, but, in some of the mostpowerful passages I have yet to read,establishes the corrective of a sweeping,grand, majestic view of the God of thebible. Essential reading for church leaders.The Gospel As It Really Is byStuart Olyott

The most useful commentary I’ve readon the most important book of the Bible. Ihave a very strong emotional attachmentto this book as it, as an accompaniment toreading Romans, was one of the keyfactors in my call into gospel ministry. Alucid, textually accurate, concise andwarmly applied study of Paul’s magnumopus .For the Love of God by D ACarson

The writing of Carson has been of majorinfluence in my life and this book is a greatintroduction to him. Arranged in twovolumes and following Murray M’Cheyne’sBible reading plan, this is a daily readingsbook designed to make you think about theBible. The comments are written to make

18 Congregational Concern Winter 200718 Congregational Concern Winter 2007



you appreciate the scope andunity of God’s word, challengeyour thoughts and make youapply the Bible into your life.

This has protected meagainst shallow quiet timesmore than any other singleresource.The Valley of Vision ed.Arthur Bennett

Learn how to pray frommen who knew God betterthan we seem to. Bennett hascollected together the prayersof Puritan authors and readingthem is like sitting at the feetof a professor in the school ofprayer. Far from being old anddusty the prayers have anamazing relevance, clarity,passion and emotion that Iconstantly find expressingthings in words that I struggleto find.

Second to praying scripture,these have been the richestaid to my own prayer life.

The Bulletin (November 2006)was placed on the Affinity website (www.affinity.org.uk) onWednesday 8 November (go toTeams > Bulletin Nov.2006),and is freely available fordownloading.

At the same time a further file,“Social issues additional newsand reports (November 2006)”was placed there.

Why not print out a few copiesand make them available foryour church members?

‘Even to your old age and grey

hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain

you. I havemade you

and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.’

Isaiah 46 : 4

Our homes are renowned for their

loving, Christian care.

Pilgrim Homes, 175 Tower Bridge Road, London, SE1 2ALTel: 020 7407 5466 www.pilgrimhomes.org.ukEnquire about vacancies at [email protected] telephone 020 7407 5466

Precious to God

and to us!



Hundreds of Years

Are you interested in history — oranniversaries? In the January EvangelicalsNow I read “The Geneva New Testament was

published in English [the first English New Testamentprinted in Roman type, with verse divisions] in1557.” That’s 450 years ago and it made mewonder if any of our churches in EFCC might havea special year in 2007. Yes, one of them has —

North Walsham in Norfolk was founded in 1657 which means that, Godwilling, they will be celebrating 350 years of witness and worship. MayGod richly bless and encourage them. (Actually, they were preceded byChulmleigh, Devon in 1633 and Keswick in Cumbria in 1654.)

But back to the Geneva Bible. It has always had a special interest forme since something happened in my first church at Southend-on-Sea(forgive me if you’ve heard the story!).

I was walking along a road near the church when a man called me overto his gate. I didn’t know him but he obviously knew me. “Mr Guest,” hesaid, “would you like a Bible?” The answer was obvious and he gave mea Geneva Bible, actually printed in 1610. I had the joyful privilege ofgiving a paper on the Geneva Bible at our Studies Conference in 2002.I just wish it had never been replaced by the King James AuthorizedVersion. The wording is almost identical but the bishops didn’t like theevangelical notes in Geneva, and persuaded their king to authorize a newversion and soon to ban the publishing of Geneva.

So, whatever the version you use, make sure the one and only trueGospel is preached in 2007.

Books for CongregationalistsDissertation on the Death of Christ by Bishop John Davenant, £25·00

The Religious Revival in Wales (550pp.) £30·00(articles published in the Western Mail during the Revival)

Christian Fellowship by John Angell James, £3·75Manual of Congregational Principles by RW Dale, £13·00

Visible Saints by Geoffrey F. Nuttall, £25·00Studies in English Dissent by Geoffrey F. Nuttall, £30·00

Quinta Press,Meadow View, Weston Rhyn, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY10 7RN01691 778659 Fax: 01691 777638 E-mail [email protected]

Full list on the web-site: www.quintapress.com

Stan Guest


Telling Another Generation £2.00This book contains a symposium of papers originally written to markthe twenty-fifth anniversary of EFCC, and as a tribute to Stan Guest,who has been closely involved in the work of EFCC ever since itsformation, and retired as secretary of the Fellowship in 1989.

Serving as a Deacon by John Legg £1.95Now reprinted in a revised edition. “Diaconates might find it useful tosupply each member with a copy of this work” —Evangelicals Now.

Evangelical & Congregational £5.00A brief survey of Congregational history, church order, confessionsof faith, the ministry, worship and sacraments. Includes SavoyDeclaration of Faith.

Children of the Covenant by John Legg £0.50The biblical basis for infant baptism.

Signs and Seals of the Covenant by CG Kirkby £3.50A biblical review of the doctrine of Christian baptism.

EFCC also has available these books about Congregational church government

Wandering Pilgrims by ES Guest £5.00Subtitled “Whatever Happened to the Congregational Churches?”

Manual of Congregational Principles by RW Dale £13.00The definitive work of Congregational church government.

Christian Fellowship or the Church Member’s Guide by John Angell James £3.75A practical manual for church members to learn their duties andresponsibilities.

All these items are available from the Administrative Secretary. Prices are exclusive ofpostage and packing, which are free for purchases with an invoice value of £5.00 or more.

EFCC publications

Know that the LORD is God:

he has made us, and not we

ourselves; we are his people,

and the sheep of his pasture.

Psalm 100:3

CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIPOR

THE CHURCH MEMBER’S GUIDEby

JOHN ANGELL JAMESEdited and Abridged by Gordon T. Booth

WanderingPilgrims

Whatever Happenedto the

CongregationalChurches?

ES Guest

e fc c

gos pel truth •

gospelindependence•gospelf

ello

wsh

ip

•

&E!"#$%&'("&

C)#$*%$"+')#"&

A brief survey of Congregational history,church order, ministry, worship andsacraments with the Savoy and !"##

Declarations of Faith


About Concern

Congregational Concern is the quarterly magazine of the EvangelicalFellowship of Congregational Churches, and is edited by Rev. Peter Beale.

All Rights Reserved: no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored ina retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic,mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the permission of theEvangelical Fellowship of Congregational Churches.

Unless otherwise stated, Scripture quotations in this publication are from theHoly Bible, New International Version. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984International Bible Society. Published in Great Britain by Hodder & StoughtonLtd.

It is assumed that contributors are in sympathy with the aims of EFCC.However, the views expressed in this magazine are strictly those of individualcontributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Editor or of theCommittee of EFCC.

The magazine is made available freely to member churches of EFCC. It will besent to individual subscribers at a cost of £6 per annum (4 issues) inclusive ofpostage. Cheques (payable to EFCC) should be sent to the AdministrativeSecretary. Mailing address details are held on computer solely for producingmailing labels. Names and addresses are not passed on to any other organisation.

General Secretary:Rev. Michael Plant1 Foxheads CourtMIDDLESBROUGHTS1 5PLTel: (01642) 800885E-mail:[email protected]

Admin. Secretary:Mr Peter MossPO Box 34BEVERLEYHU17 0YYTel & Fax:(01482) 860324E-mail: [email protected]

Concern Editor:Rev. Peter Beale37 Tamar RoadBulkingtonBEDWORTHCV12 9PUTel: (024) 7631 4606E-mail:

[email protected]

EFCC Addresses

Typeset by Quinta Press, Meadow View, Weston Rhyn, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY10 7RN.Tel: 01691 778659; Fax: 01691 777638; E-mail: [email protected]; Web-site: www.quintapress.com

Printed by Aldridge Print Group, Unit 9, Mitcham Industrial Estate, Streatham Road, Mitcham, Surrey CR4 2AP.Tel: 020 8239 4100; Fax: 020 8239 4120; E-mail: [email protected]; Web-site: www.apgprint.com

EFCC Internet Web-site: http://www.efcc.org.uk


congregational concern concern winter 2007 3 committee’s agreed method of producing a figure for...

Documents