It’s the perfectionist bit in me, (which has its strengths and weaknesses) but I really appreciate it when things are done well. I’m reasonably relaxed when they are not so good but love when someone uses their God given gifts and demonstrate a good attitude and aptitude to do something well. Doesn’t matter what it is I appreciate when things are done well. I marvelled at the skills of the guys who erected a fence on our estate last week, the gardeners at a nearby Historic House and the art work from some pupils at our local school. Likewise I really appreciated being part of the congregation at New Life Baptist Church here in Northallerton this morning. Sadly too many church services I attend across all traditions and denominations do little to feed my soul, inform my mind, stretch my imagination, deepen my faith or increase my awareness of God’s heart for the world but it is a privilege to be part of a church that we belong to here in North Yorkshire that does just that. 

This morning was no exception. Being part of a church of all ages and backgrounds, where the services usually evidence over 90% seating capacity and often more. Worship is led by a variety of different but gifted teams. A church where welcome and hospitality is extended to friend and stranger, regular attender and guest.  For a new monastic introvert contemplative, loud action songs pose a challenge but being part of the family I swayed my arms and joined with others in worshipping God with lots of children, who are very much a part of the church. Not the church of tomorrow but every bit a part of the church today. Before many of them left for their own groups they were prayed for and blessed but not before five people were welcomed into partnership. Each shared something of their faith story and why they were joining the church. Diverse, mixed ages, men and women, each received an encouragement, word of Scripture and were prayed for as we welcomed them into the fellowship and committed ourselves to work with them in serving Christ and his Kingdom. We were then led in prayer for the world; praying among other things for the people of Yemen, Indonesia, those victims of human trafficking, for an increase in Fair trade and a respect for human rights, together with prayers for Parliament this coming week and for the local hospital under threat as a result of Government cutbacks and staff shortages, (where are the medical staff who will come and live in the north?). We prayed for those who belong to the church who are suffering or struggling at present. (I still recall with much amusement being asked as a visiting preacher to pray “for the sick of the fellowship” at a church and thought how apt a prayer for many folks I know who are sick of their fellowship!).

This morning it was so refreshing for a charismatic evangelical church to pray and intercede for the world, for those outside the walls of the church. The prayer ministry team who meet before the service to pray and wait on God share any words or pictures they receive in the service and offer pray for anyone at the end of the service. We then sang a wonderful song which has been adopted as a song for the a new series, Show Us Christ. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gk2Y7WoM4h4A different genre to that of our Northumbria Community’s Morning Office Declaration of Faith but in its own way a reminder that Christ holds the words of eternal life.

Glen, our Senior Pastor then opened up John’s Gospel with an inspirational exposition of John 1 to introduce the series. Good Bible teachers are gifts from God, building up believers in the faith and opening up opportunities and avenues for those new or exploring what faith can mean.

Concluding worship and blessing flowed naturally into sharing conversations over coffee with friends old and new.

A service not thrown together but prayerfully and carefully crafted that had design, order, spontaneity and no trace of manipulation or religious jargon about it. I said I liked things done well and this morning was cracking! Thanks be to God.