A New Thing – in 2025! (Liberty members, please read and pray)

There was a small gathering this morning, whilst wind and rain assailed us, and some languished on sick beds. But personally, I felt an overwhelming sense of the glory of God descending on us, as we sang in tongues, and worshiped the King of kings. Thank you to all who battled through the weather, and brought words, or prayers or readings. Thank you to Barry H for leading communion.

I felt strongly that I should share a word I believe the Lord has given me at the start of this year. I might not have read Isaiah for maybe 12 months, but have had chapter 43:18,19 in my heart/mind for the past 2 weeks or so. Then a Christian I met once, round 3 years ago, sent me the same text. Then Simon Pinchbeck posted it on his FB page this week. I really could not get away from it. I believe it will be significant for me, but important for us as a fellowship.

I could give a lot of background and context to these verses, but this is the essence. The Lord was telling his people to leave Babylon and return to Jerusalem. It was a new thing for them, and he would turn their wilderness into a beautiful place. He would make  a way for them, and bring ‘streams in the desert’.

There are 2 potential problems in launching out into a new thing. Firstly, restless souls who are never satisfied and always wanting change, can jump too soon, or in the wrong direction. Secondly, we can become too comfortable where we are, and are then loathe to move or change. So, as a fellowship, we need to pause and be sure of what the Lord is saying. But we need to be aware of the danger of staying in a comfortable place, when the Lord is saying ‘Move on’.

There are 2 practical areas where we need to seek the Lord with regard to this. There are a number of reasons small independent churches fail. One is a lack of accountability in leadership. For many years I have run important matters past Don Double, who was like a spiritual father to me for around 50 years. Now he is in heaven, and I try to open my life to 2 men in particular, both mature Christians who are fairly local, and move widely within established and new churches. I am always happy to discuss this with any of our members who are interested.

But another problem is that of isolation. There is only one Church, and we are part of it and need to identify as such. I attend non-denominational and interdenominational meetings of men, men and women, and Christian leaders, in Norwich especially, and more widely. I would love more contact with other house churches, particularly those who have a similar vision to ours. I have recently become aware of several in Norfolk  – how do we relate to them, practically? A new thing! I suggested this morning that we invite such churches to send a leader, or a delegation, or their entire congregation, to attend here one Sunday, enjoy worship and fellowship with us, and to share what the Lord is doing with them, by way of a word. We are an unusual gathering by British middle class church standards, and I wonder what some might make of us. But I love what the Lord is doing here. What do our ‘members’ feel about this? Let me know.

And there is one other, increasingly important matter, that I believe we need, fairly urgently, to hear from the Lord on. The people who meet here come from Hellesdon, Catton, Freethorpe, Catfield, Ludham, Martham, Banningham, Aylsham, Pakefield, Horning, and Frettenham. And maybe I’ve missed some places. Some are believers, some are ‘almost believers’, and some are simply curious, or like what they find. Obviously, there are varying levels of commitment anyway, but travelling over 30 miles each way is expensive, and frankly, inconvenient. I am impressed by those who do. There are other possible venues, and we could have a second meeting further out towards Great Yarmouth. But would there be sufficient people, sufficiently committed, to make this viable? We don’t know, but the Lord does.

My request to those who identify as part of us – can you please seek God on this, and I have a practical suggestion. Put aside one hour as an appointment with the Lord. Arrange to be somewhere where you will not be distracted. Pray – thanksgiving, praise, worship. Sing. Raise your hands to heaven – whatever you usually do when praying. Read where you feel appropriate – a psalm or two, or maybe Isaiah 43. Ask the Lord what new thing he has for you, and how we should, as a fellowship, address the issue of gatherings for our scattered flock. Finally, ask yourself 2 questions – what would you personally prefer? and what do you believe the Lord is saying? (The first question will help you become more focused on the second, which will probably be different). And please let me know. 

Wendy and I pray that each of you will enjoy good health, joy, and success in all you turn your hand to in 2025 – and always!