Skip to main content

A parting message from Rev Ian

Image
By
Dear Friends,

It is hard to think that Tabitha and I have been in Bradford for 5 years.  At times it seems like just yesterday that we arrived.  At others, it seems like we have been here forever!  In reality of course it is only five years.  But what years!

When we arrived the Bradford North Circuit was launched, and we were starting a new adventure.  What does it take to create a new circuit?  Perhaps a lot more than any of us really imagined.  In these five years a lot has happened.  We began life as a new circuit.  We discovered uncomfortable truths that had to be addressed, and addressed them.  We had to rethink how we would have to work in the light of fewer, limited resources.  We have taken time to try and understand what God is calling us to, as local churches that make up the Circuit, in order to discern how best to use the gifts and graces that God has given to us across the circuit as a whole.  We have welcomed new staff and said fond farewells to others.  All of this, in addition to the every day mission and ministry that involves us all.


In a very short time, Bradford North Circuit has travelled a long way, quickly.  A defining characteristic of our time in Bradford can be summed up in the word ‘change’.  We have seen a lot of it, both in the churches and circuit, and in our home.  As we look back over our time here we rejoice, because we have been able to see God at work in people, even in church and circuit committees!  God has taught us the meaning of waiting and discernment.  So often we would like this to have been faster, quicker, sorted out so that we can just get on with what we might consider to be the real business of being God’s Church.  However, when we read our scriptures, waiting and discernment are characteristics of how God has gently, and at times firmly, led his people.  Why should we be any different?  And in each time, including ours, God places the right people to help us, guide and encourage us and draw us closer to Him.  Of course, as God continues to lead us, there will be continue to be change.  Of that I have no doubt.

It has been a privilege to travel these last five years with you.  It has been a privilege to see individuals grow in their understanding of God.  To see people grow into roles they never imagined they would have, yet are clearly gifted for.  To see churches, and groups within churches, allow people to grow and to change, without expecting perfection first.  Rather, encouraging and supporting one another.  To discuss with people issues that are important to them, and give them the safer space to ask questions of things we do, just because we do them, often ignoring the ‘Why?’.  So often, it has felt like I have been part of a ministerial team – and I don’t just mean with my ordained colleagues, good as that has been.  No, I mean the ministerial team which is made up of all the members of the Body of Christ, each and every one of us.  At times I have led worship, more often I have worshipped with.  I have frequently been touched by the care and dedication of our pastoral visitors - the unsung missionaries and ministers of the church, whose consistent work underpins so much more - as I have so many of the quieter roles that people undertake to further the building of God’s kingdom.  To you all, I am very thankful.

And now, it is time for Tabitha and me to move on.  Leaving Bradford will not be easy, for we have come to love both people and place.  However, there is a hymn, “The Enemy of Apathy” (393 Singing the Faith), which points to the continual movement of God and the expectation of wonders that God has yet to reveal to us in our lives.  The hymn also says of the Holy Spirit of God that it cannot be captured, silenced or restrained.  My prayer is that you will not even try to capture, silence or restrain what God is doing among you.  Rather that you will continue to be open to the Spirit’s leading, being ever thankful to God for all that he reveals to you.

So, off to Abingdon we shall go, praising God for all of our time in Bradford, and trusting in God for whatever awaits us in pastures new.

May you know the joy of the Lord in all things.

Every Blessing

Rev Ian 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Circuit Talents Challenge

By
"For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money ..." Matthew 25:14-30 Why don't you take up the Circuit Talents Challenge by taking a £5 note and making it grow for the Circuit? More details ...
Post a Comment
Read more

The wind among the trees

By
I sat among the trees once. And a wind was blowing. Quite a strong wind; I could hear it in the trees –   rushing, rushing. A lovely sound, soothing to my ears. I stopped what I was writing and began to listen. I remembered that Jesus said that the Holy Spirit was like   the wind. You could hear it; see its effect. But you couldn’t see the wind itself. You couldn’t see   where it was coming from, nor going to. And I wondered, “Are you showing me something about your Spirit, Lord?” So I sat, and I listened, and I watched. They were big, old trees where I sat. Tall they were, in an ancient wood, well-branched,  shapely. Beech, grey bark against the clear blue of the sky. And leaves: they were leaves that knew the wind;   leaves that let the wind know them. They looked, like beach leaves look in a wind: full of life –   and with a certain beauty all their own. I watched the great crowns of those great trees. I watched the branches sway and the ...
Post a Comment
Read more

For such times as these! - A good news story from Windhill!

By
For such times as these! (Esther 14:14) On June 1st James Stannet (from e:merge , a Christian Youth organisation) began his youth work for Christchurch LEP in Windhill. He says, "Well! June has been a really busy but very productive month. On Wednesday, in the park, numbers are climbing week by week, now averaging 25. Good partnerships have been made with local organisations. this has been a blessing: enabling us to deliver varied sport activities and build good relationships.' 'The Hope Revolution, youth event, based at Christchurch LEP was a massive hit. A BIG Thank you is expressed to the Church for the support, encouragement and prayers. 200 people attended the Fun Day. Despite the rainy weather, 100 young people took part in local projects: two house clear-ups, school garden project (Windhill Primary) and running the Fun Day. 10 Christian Organisations working together resulting in several families requesting Christian children's activities.' ...
Post a Comment
Read more