St Helen’s Church, Bishopsgate, London was full on 6 February for the annual gathering of the South East Gospel Partnership. The theme of keeping the Bible central to all that we do was explored through Bible teaching, seminars and a Q&A session with the guest speakers.
Kevin DeYoung who pastors University Reformed Church, Michigan, spoke from Acts 20.17-38 on ‘A sure and sufficient word’. He showed from this passage the priorities that Paul had for himself, for pastors, for elders and for all Christians. This was Paul’s farewell address, his legacy: ‘God will keep you as you keep close to him and the word of his grace.’ Paul’s ministry was done but that of the word wasn’t.
Valley of dry bones
From Ephesus (where Paul gave his address) we moved back in time to the valley of dry bones to which God had taken Ezekiel in the Spirit. Justin Mote (Chair and Director of Training of the NorthWest Partnership) spoke from Ezekiel 37.1-17.
Israel in exile was like bones that had been picked clean and bleached dry. First God arranged the bones in the correct configuration (v7) and attached tendons, flesh and a covering of skin (v8) and then, by the ‘word of the Lord’ (v.5) breathed life into them (v.9-10). God uses people to preach his word, just as he used Ezekiel, to bring the lost back from the exile of sin and to make them part of his army (v.10).
The seminars were all about keeping the Bible central in 1. The Pulpit, 2. Youth Ministry, 3. Small Groups and 4. The Home.
A very worthwhile day run with St Helen’s usual efficiency – not just for leaders to whom the Friday had been dedicated – but for everyone.
