Our Christian Inheritance
The apostle Peter says that we have an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade (1 Peter 1:4). In Britain we seem to be in danger of allowing our Christian inheritance to fade, while in other parts of the world churches are growing at an impressive rate.
As I think back over the past year, I am aware that a constant theme at Norbury has been that of declining numbers at our 10.15am Sunday worship. Our church needs new people, people to share fellowship with us, people to share the tasks that many of us having been doing for years.
I know of young adults who have come for a while, and then gone to another church with a different style of worship. I know of parents who have brought their children to the Sunday groups and gone into the Communion service or Morning Worship, and have come out asking when the next All Age Worship is, because that is the style of worship where they feel most comfortable.
It seems very clear to me that some adults who come and see if they can worship at Norbury have hardly any background of churchgoing; so our Communion service, in particular, feels difficult to relate to. I personally love this service, because I have attended it for all of my adult life; but for those who are not familiar with it, it can feel strange.
We considered this question at our worship review meeting on 2nd December. There was overwhelming support to consider this pattern: bring the Communion service forward and have a second all age act of worship later on in the morning. Mix and mingle would then take place between the two acts of worship. Obviously such an arrangement would help to solve the problem outlined above, but there would be a number of significant difficulties.
I do not think that this magazine article is a time to go into details of such a possible change. If we do make any changes, that will only happen after the fullest possible consultation with all who attend worship. All I ask is that each of us will pray about this issue, and ask for God’s guidance, so that we can develop a common vision for enabling the name of Jesus to be glorified in our community.
I think there is little doubt that the name of Jesus is in danger of being forgotten by a great many people growing up in this country. One reason that people give for downgrading Christianity is that dreadful things have been done in its name. I can only say that I agree with some of that criticism; but I find nothing in example or teaching of Jesus to support or justify the destructive things that have been done in his name. Our task is to emphasize the good that has been done in his name, by people who have been inspired by his love.
Just before the year 2000 the American Newsweek magazine produced an article entitled Two Thousand Years of Jesus. A Singapore Chinese wrote this in response:
Your article emphasized the historical aspect of Christianity. Living in an Asian culture, I would like to add another perspective. Imagine a society where man is not made in the image of God and the dignity of the individual depends on his power and wealth. Imagine truth belongs only to powerful and influential people. Imagine a society where forgiveness is a weakness. These are still the conditions in many countries. What the United States and Europe have become are results of living out the very basic doctrines of Christianity. Don't shrug off Christianity and elope with secularism. It is your religion's greatness that has been slowly influencing the world for better.
Perhaps it takes someone from outside our culture to bring home to us what we are in danger of losing. I do not think it is the responsibility of the state to keep our Christian inheritance; I think it is our responsibility – those of us who come to church. If we have the conviction that Jesus is vital to our lives, then we need to be the ones who carry that exciting message.
As we enter a new year, let us develop new confidence in our religion’s greatness. I hope it will be a year full of hope for you all.
Martin Collins
