NBC Pastoral letter, June 2012

“But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” (Amos 5:24)

The church anniversary is almost upon us again, as we celebrate the congregation meeting in Newcastle on London Road as 140 years old.

Of course, Baptist Christians have been meeting in Newcastle even longer than that, and in various locations around the town. We’ve been experimenting with the different location for quite a few months now!

Meeting in a different location reinforces the truth that our Baptist pioneers fought for in the seventeenth century, that the church is not a group of people living in a particular part of town, it is much less the building. Instead, the church is made up of people of faith who gather to worship him.

This year marks an important anniversary in our Christian heritage. The first English Baptist church on English soil was founded in Spitalfields, crucially then outside the boundaries of London, in 1612. Amongst the group was Thomas Helwys, who in the same year published the first plea for religious freedom in the English language. It had the rather snappy title of A Short Declaration of the Mistery of Iniquity, and was an appeal for people to practice their faith according to their conscience, Church of England, “them of the Romish religion” (Catholics), “Turks” (Muslims) and disssenters alike.

Perhaps rather tactlessly, Helwys sent a copy to King James I, along with a covering letter that said,

“Hear, O King, and despise not the counsel of the poor, and let their complaints come before thee. The king is a mortal man and not God, therefore has no power over the immortal souls of his subjects, to make laws and ordinances for them, and to set spiritual lords over them. If the king has authority to make spiritual lords and laws, then he is an immortal God and not a mortal man. O King, be not seduced by deceivers to sin against God whom you ought to obey, nor against your poor subjects who ought and will obey you in all things with body, life and goods , or else let their lives be taken from the earth. God save the king.”

Unsurprisingly, Helwys was thrown into Newgate prison, and he died there four years later at about the age of forty.

It is a sobering thought, that the founder of what became known as Baptist churches was thrown into prison by the state, where he died for his beliefs.

Many Baptist Christians since have argued hard for justice and liberty, and have often suffered for taking such a stand in accordance with the teachings of the Bible. Martin Luther King was killed for his campaign to end racial segregation in America. William Carey devoted his life to people in India, translating the Bible and also speaking out against injustices such as the caste system.

The Christian gospel speaks of transformation. It transforms our lives as individuals, but we are also called to stand up against injustices in n society and in the world.

As we celebrate a church anniversary, and think of 400 years of English Baptist witness, let us be inspired to continue to share the good news, and speak out against injustices.

God bless,

Nik

NBC Pastoral Letter May 2012

As we’ve been looking at the life of Abram, we’ve been reminded that God does not keep us away from difficult circumstances, but he uses them to help us to grow in our trust of him.

When we face difficulties, the Christian has a choice of what to do. Do we run to other people or other things, and find our comfort and protection there? Or do we, however weak we feel, run to God, trusting in his promise to never abandon us, and remember that he is always faithful to us.

It is a test of our Christian maturity as to which direction we run.

As we look ahead to the future, as individuals and as a congregation of God’s people, we need to put him first in all things. We need to come together as his family, praying together and worshipping God together. We need to give God the honour that he deserves, and place our lives into his hands.

On this website you can read of the discussions that are taking place about the future of the Baptist Union of Great Britain (A Q and A is here). It may be that we feel that much of this conversation is irrelevant to us in our local congregation, because we are self-governing. However, an important aspect of our lives as Christians is to watch over one another, and the Baptist Union offers much support to churches and people that we don’t fully appreciate until we need it ourselves. It is part of our responsibility to care for others, even those that we don’t know personally.

We also think about our local situation, and the needs that we face. We don’t just face a need for a suitable building! We need to care for one another better, whether that is picking up the phone or sending a text, or making a visit. We can express our care in serving refreshments at the end of the service. We can show we care by helping set up the hall for our morning services, and putting away afterwards. We can show we care by helping with the children’s groups during our morning services, so that it is not the same people going out every week, year in, year out, and that parents get the opportunity to stay in the services too. We show our care by helping with the building maintenance.

If you would like to show your care for others in the congregation, but don’t know who to speak to, please have a word with me or with Alan, and we’ll point you in the right direction.

Something that we can all do to show our love and care is to pray for one another, and support those that God has called into leadership in the congregation, and that we have affirmed through our church meeting.

The writer of Hebrews puts it this way:

“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.  Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you. Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honourably in every way.” (Hebrews 13.16-19)

God bless,

Nik