Readjusting our Focus

One of the problems I have in the morning when I wake up is that everything seems blurred and out of focus. Then I put on my spectacles, and everything becomes clearer. Of course, the problem lies not with the world around me, but with my deteriorating eyesight.

Furthermore, I find that, even with my spectacles, the world around me gradually, over time, gets more and more fuzzy. The change is so gradual that I do not notice it happening, but eventually the situation becomes so bad that I accept that things are not right and go and get a new prescription.

That, in a sense, is what we are doing at the moment as a Parish. There was once a time when we had a fairly clear vision of who we were as a Church, and where we believed God was leading us. However, over time that vision has become rather blurred. Some do not have any clear vision at all.

It is time then, to get a fresh prescription and seek a fresh vision of the way ahead. As the church changes leadership after 25 years, it is important that it can see the way forward. Especially it is important that it has a clear focus of God's vision for the future.

I find, now that I am wearing tri-focal spectacles, that I have to continually make decision as to which of the three lenses I will look through to get the clearest picture. So, too, we must decide which lens we will use to look both our present situation and the way in which we believe God is leading us. We can look through our human lens, and evaluate everything by worldly standards. Or we can look through God's lens, to measure things by the standard of His Word, and look for the outcome of His promise. It is, of course, only through the second lens that we will properly view ourselves and our future.

I was greatly encouraged by the gathering last Tuesday evening, as we began the process of looking through God's spectacles. I realise that numbers of our folk cannot get to night meetings, but the good number of those who did represented a fair cross-section of our Church family.

There was very good spirit in the meeting as we collectively sought to come into God's presence and listen to Him. Most of those who came had already read and reflected upon the "10 Questions", which the Parish Council have issued as a guide to our thinking and praying. And many came with helpful contributions. However, everyone seemed willing to listen to one another, and to God.

There was a very strong affirmation of the way in which God has been at work in St Mark's There was testimony to lives that had beeen changed through the ministry of St Mark's. And there was a strong desire to see the work of the Holy Spirit of God continue in St Mark's.

There are still two Tuesday-night meetings to go, but I believe we have already made progress in developing God's vision foe the future of St Mark's.

Two matters in particular, that were raised last Tuesday deserve further comment. One is the fact that our existence as a church is not just for our own sake. God's purpose for us is that we have an influence on the society around us, both in the suburb of Northbridge, and in the wider world. The visit of Stephen and Marion Gabbot today is a reminder of the world "out there" that is desperately in need of the gospel of God's salvation. Northbridge is, of course, very different to Bangkok, but there are still thousands of people, our neighbours and our friends, going to eternity without Christ, who need to know that there is a way of escape!

The other matter is our relationship with the other churches in Northbridge, and the recognition that we are only a part of what God is doing in this suburb. One of the most important developments, I believe, in my 25 years of ministry in Northbridge has been the growth of real Christian fellowship between the three churches. The success of the Alpha course last year was a testimony to the unity in Christ that we can experience when we focus on the essentials of our faith. There are still important issues where we differ, but, as the world around us becomes more and more non-Christian in its values and attitudes, we are finding that the things that unite us are greater than the issues that divide. If Northbridge is to be won for Christ, it will need all the churches, not just one.

The process of adjusting our focus continues, as we seek to get in tune with God's purposes for this suburb and this church. May I encourage everyone of you to be actively involved.

John Davies

9 February 2003