The King’s Church

We were delighted to get some of our first summer visitors last Sunday. It was very interesting to me though that one couple with their three children enjoyed the service, despite the fact (!) that because I preached for 45 minutes we didn’t use the liturgical form that we usually use during the Eucharist, and also as we have just moved to Pego, my clerical shirt was not unpacked to wear. Now their home church has a strong Anglican influence and this would certainly not have been a problem to them. However, another couple with us for the first time professed to not actually enjoying the service very much (I love honesty!) and would have felt more at home with clerical shirts and liturgies!

Although neither couple was judging us per se, it fascinated me that such things can either get in the way of, or promote our ability to worship God in a Sunday Service. Happily no one was actually offended and we all parted ways amicably, but we need to make sure we are looking to God and not to men.

We, as ministers, can all too easily get in the way. So what’s the answer? I don’t know, and I’m happy not to know….. We certainly cannot be all things to all men … only God Himself can be that. However we seem not to be able to prevent bringing our ‘preferences’ into the church when we come to worship. Hymns or choruses? Preach or teach? Liturgy or free? I say both or sometimes neither, occasionally all and sometimes nothing - let’s let God be God, and be guided by Him in all things.

Every time we are preparing to begin a service that I am leading (or in fact getting dressed for one!) I simply look upwards and am happy to ask “What today Lord?” and though He may not answer audibly He leads and guides in the inimitable way He always does…. as long as we’re looking ‘up’ ….

Our recent Alpha course has now ended, but we are already planning our next one. Was it a success? Measuring these things is difficult…. however, I certainly think it was. It is one of my most excellent rewards to see people gain faith, grow in their faith, change their lifestyles, and give more glory to God. The weekend away was a remarkable time, and facilitated by a visit from our Bishop Tomás. Anyone considering running a course I would say “Get on with it!” It can be hard work, but it is a valuable tool in bringing people to faith and extending the faith of others, away from a Sunday Service environment.

There’s nothing wrong with sermons and Bible studies, and ours are as interactive as we can make them, but this is an inspired ‘course’ and well worth the effort of organising and running.

Check out our short report following an invitation to the launch of another branch of the AA here in our locality. Contact details are included. They’re doing a great work!   Click this link……..     AA in Teulada

Check out our new galleries on the About Us link ….

OK, I’ve just checked the uploads for the AGM minutes and Finances for 2009. All looks well, but please contact me if you have difficulty accessing the pages or downloads.

We are also considering uploading some sermon material, and maybe even recordings of some of our praise and worship. On our first test run this last Sunday Chris successfully recorded the whole service in very clear MP3 format. Watch this space ….