Phill Brown tells us why he thinks groups of churches should meet up regularly
It’s always good to hear about local churches gathering together to encourage one another and glorify Jesus.
On March 23, a group of churches came together in Waterlooville, near Portsmouth, to celebrate our fellowship in the gospel. The event was hosted by Cowplain Evangelical Church and 12 other FIEC churches from the Solent area were represented.
For the last couple of years we have made this a regular event and this year we were packed to the rafters!
Over 150 people came to a wonderful tea (which didn’t seem to last long) with numbers swelling to over 200 for the following worship service. Our guest speaker was Ray Evans from Grace Community Church in Bedford, who spoke helpfully about how we can be churches that make Christ known. It was a wonderful day.
As I reflect on this time we had together, I am more and more convinced that these types of meetings should be a priority for churches, including the FIEC churches with which I am involved. But why? Let me give you four reasons.
1. It’s a great encouragement
Some members of the smaller churches said to me how encouraging it was to sing with over 200 other Christians. But more than that, for all of us it was a great encouragement because of what it means to be in fellowship as churches. Meeting together in this way is a tangible reminder that we are not alone in striving to make Christ known, but rather we are part of something larger. So it spurs us on to persevere in our outreach and discipleship.
2. It’s a reminder
Events like these remind us of what links us together: it’s the gospel.
The churches in the Solent and Portsmouth area are all quite different. Some are large, some are small. Some are contemporary in worship, others more traditional. Some are more forward-thinking, others are more conservative. But all of us are in total agreement about the gospel, about the Word of God and about making Jesus known to a needy society.
It’s so important to be reminded of that unity. Meeting together reminds us who we are as gospel-centred churches.
3. It builds friendships
One of the wonderful things I observed during the afternoon tea and service was how people chatted and laughed and genuinely enjoyed being together. There was a real buzz around the building. This is something we’ve seen develop over time.
As pastors of the churches in the area, we have made it a priority to meet up regularly. We gather every other month to encourage one another, to pray and to chat. Good friendships have been forged over the years. We meet for a meal with our wives at Christmas and have a BBQ together with our families in the summer. On other occasions, pastors from our group will meet together to learn and share with one another. It was these friendships that made us want to see similar relationships being formed between members of our churches, hence the establishment of these yearly services.
This year we also held a church leaders’ training morning where Ray Evans shared principles about growing churches. Not only was the training helpful, but we also benefitted from sharing ideas and learning from each other. Deeper connections between church leaders can only be a good thing.
4. It glorifies Jesus
That evening as I led the worship service, I looked out on a mix of people – some of whom I knew and some I didn’t – and it was a great testimony to the truth that Jesus saves a varied bunch. It gave me a little picture of what heaven must be like. And it’s all because of Jesus.
So my advice (for what it’s worth) is that if you are connected with other FIEC churches locally then have a yearly get-together. And if you’re not connected as churches, then get connected! It’s a really good thing to do.
If you’re a pastor, build relationships with the other local pastors – whether through a regular formal fraternal or more informal social events. The benefits of growing closer as pastors and churches are immense. I for one can testify to the blessings of being connected with other Christians, pastors and churches within the FIEC family.
