In the ebb and flow of Church life over many years, many of us have observed the changes in our church community. There have been times of amazing growth as new people repent and believe in Jesus, the baptismal font is used regularly and we see the ministry of the church expanding. There are also times of great stagnation where although a church is bustling along it appears to be the same old faces. And then there are times of decline where we find it difficult to see God's "church triumphant".
In our church, we are coming off the back end of years of decline. A church community that used to be part of the heart-beat of the broader local community is now struggling to find a strong voice or position, and is struggling to establish platforms for the Gospel to be communicated.
However, in recent days we have seen a number of visitors, and a few of them from deliberate ministry in our local community. There is this niggling understanding that as we have prayed and acted AFTER God's leading, that the Lord Jesus is rebuilding His church and we are a part of it.
So if anyone out there is discouraged and cannot see what lays ahead. Pray, listen and hold on. It can often seem as though God has His fingers in His ears or His face turned away, but this is how we FEEL, not an indicator of the truth. Even if you do let go, understand that God does not let go of those who are His own, called according to His purpose.
AMEN to that!
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