Today I looked at the Spring issue of Baptists Together, the magazine for the Baptist Union of Great Britain. On page 26 in a response by Gavin Calver on how local churches can best support their young people, the following words are highlighted in blue:
the greatest thing we can do is provide a committed listening ear
What? Is this really the greatest thing? Yes, being good listeners must be very important, but come on, it's not the greatest thing! If it is, then we Baptists are in serious trouble.
My sons, who are now outside of the fellowship of the church and kingdom of God, did have tremendous support and committed listening ears. They appreciated their youth leaders, Dave and Glen, and Pete during the 1990s. But in no way were these committed listening ears the greatest thing that Hornchurch Baptist Church provided.
When I was at Regent's Park College, Oxford, there were a number of Korean post-graduate students that I got to know well. They were lovely Christians studying theology. We spoke about the difference between Christianity and church life in England and South Korea. One response was, " In England you talk a lot and like to discuss things, but in Korea we pray a lot and seek to experience the power of God."
This verse came to mind.
The Kingdom of God is not talk, but power
ου γαρ εν λογω η βασιλεια του θεου αλλ εν δυναμει
1 Corinthians 4:20
There is no power in some Baptist churches because they are sterile and impotent, having lost the means of reproduction. But the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation. We need to provide people with the good news of Jesus Christ and help them with listening ears to find faith in Him.
the greatest thing we can do is provide a committed listening ear
What? Is this really the greatest thing? Yes, being good listeners must be very important, but come on, it's not the greatest thing! If it is, then we Baptists are in serious trouble.
My sons, who are now outside of the fellowship of the church and kingdom of God, did have tremendous support and committed listening ears. They appreciated their youth leaders, Dave and Glen, and Pete during the 1990s. But in no way were these committed listening ears the greatest thing that Hornchurch Baptist Church provided.
When I was at Regent's Park College, Oxford, there were a number of Korean post-graduate students that I got to know well. They were lovely Christians studying theology. We spoke about the difference between Christianity and church life in England and South Korea. One response was, " In England you talk a lot and like to discuss things, but in Korea we pray a lot and seek to experience the power of God."
This verse came to mind.
The Kingdom of God is not talk, but power
ου γαρ εν λογω η βασιλεια του θεου αλλ εν δυναμει
1 Corinthians 4:20
There is no power in some Baptist churches because they are sterile and impotent, having lost the means of reproduction. But the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation. We need to provide people with the good news of Jesus Christ and help them with listening ears to find faith in Him.
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