Church Growth In A Desperate Situation
I’ve read many encouraging books about how God has worked in different parts of the world. It can be easy to be taken up by that and ignore how the Lord is working in our country, so I was thrilled to see this book being published. What God can do with a little oil is a great read that shares how God has been working in Abersychan, South Wales. It is encouraging in that it shows us that God is moving in our land, saving his people. It is a thrilling tale of the many who have come to Christ.
It is also a challenging read. John Funnell, the author and Pastor of Noddfa Church shares many of the lessons that they have learned through this time, some through hardship and suffering. Three lessons I found particularly helpful were:
1 – The absolute importance of prayer and reliance on God. The church didn’t rely on its people but spent hours on their knees before God, asking him to work. Whilst we know this to be true, practically how do we really live this out?
2 – A willingness to get involved in the local community to gain opportunities to preach the gospel. The church has sought to engage the culture around them, in all of its mess, to meet practical needs where they could, whilst proclaiming Christ as the only way.
3 – Understanding that the gospel doesn’t change but having a willingness to change secondary matters for the sake of the gospel. Sometimes I can hold too tightly to my preferences. I found it especially challenging that the older members in Noddfa were willing to give up their preferences so that the gospel could move forward.
Thrilling, encouraging and challenging in equal measure! Get yourself a copy!
