The saying is, 'A week is a long time in politics'... it is also seems to a long time in church life too!
This time last week I was excited to share the news that we were preparing to move Night Church to the Mount Cook School Hall this coming Sunday. It seemed to be an unexpected answer to years of prayer and planning since we first laid eyes on the Tory Street Hall.
The only thing that was left to do was collect the keys!
Then everything changed.
Four days before our first Night Church in the new hall an email from the school principal arrived. It said that their management team had decided that a church using the hall was 'not the right fit' for the school. I will let you work out what that means!
We were gutted.
It does feel like a very Daniel moment where wisdom and tact are require to find the right way forward. How fitting it is that we happen to be studying this part of the Bible at this time!
In Chapter 2 when Daniel is facing death because of the rage of the king it says he spoke with 'wisdom and tact'. In Chapter 6, when Daniel was confronted with the law against praying to his any other gods he responded with calm obedience to his God. He continued to pray just as he had always done. We should do the same.
So will you join with me in praying?
Praying for the school principal, the management team and the school community that they would come to know the love and grace of God in Christ.
Praying for ourselves that we will not be discouraged or bitter but use this moment to respond in a way that honours Jesus.
And continue to pray for a new venue for Night Church, that we would look back and see God's hand at work as he provides just the right place for us to continue to proclaim Christ and his kingdom to those who desperately need to hear.
As Paul writes in Philippians 4,
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Grace & peace,
Andrew
eNews - 25th November 2022