From the Minister
They say time flies when you are enjoying yourself, and I can’t believe that its five years since we began our journey of ministry together. Five years ago, during lockdown in Feb 2021, a strange guy joined one of your Zoom Sunday services. Who was he? No one knew other than he was called Rick and was from the north west! But he seemed a nice chap and worship was open to everyone. Then the next batch of profiles or ministers seeking churches arrived and the deacons saw a similar chap there. A conversation ensued, and ‘Rick’ lead a service in the March. Well this is the beginning of a story that lead to my induction as Minister of Ringstead Shared Church in Sept 2021. Five years already, can you believe it!
Of course, back then it felt like a different world, lockdown and restrictions, services online, no meeting together, fear of Covid etc. We have come a long way since then, with new initiatives, regular worship and sharing together in the community. But it is five years, and the calling to ministry here was only for five years. So, what next?
Well, that’s the question we are asking ourselves at the moment. We have begun a process of discernment for the future. At the January church meeting we noted that the original pot of money, that had been foreseen to allow a full-time minister to be appointed for five years hadn’t been spent quite as quickly as anticipated, and could last a sixth year if we wished, but then what? What does God have in store for us now? We need to listen to what God is telling us of His plans for our future. We need to look positively but also constructively.
What does the future hold and how do we use ministry to make that mission work? Alongside that we do need to look at the practical question: do we have the money in order to meet that ministry and mission? These are the questions we continue to ask of ourselves and God.
To continue this process, we are calling a special day of prayer on 18th February. On this day we ask you to put aside some time, when and how much is up to you, to pray specifically about ‘Mission, Ministry & Money’. Then on the 7th of March we will gather together, with our regional minister, to hear what God has been/is saying to us. Nathan will lead us in a day of reflection and discussion as we look together at what the next steps may be.
So put the dates in your diary, but don’t wait just for then, pray with us as we ask God what the future entails.
I know the plans I have in mind for you, declares the Lord; they are plans for peace, not disaster, to give you a future filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11
Rev Rick