A Disconnected Society:

This past Wednesday at our home group Bible study, we talked about our experiences with trying to meet new people from Charleston. I shared that just that morning, a huge branch had fallen in our street so I was delighted to use my chainsaw and help the neighbour a few doors down as it was laying directly in front of his house. We talked about the dramas of the weather that caused the branch to fall in the first place as we cleared it out of the street so I thought a bit of rapport had been made. As we finished moving the debris on to the grassy bit, I shared that my name is Tim and I live just at the corner there, pointing to my home expecting he might share his name as well. But no, he just said “alright” and that was the end of our discussion.

One of the mums who helps at the Aspire project has had similar experiences. She said that after she introduces herself, naming herself to other mums, she often has to ask the other mum what her name is.

It is hard to get to know people in our scheme and it takes time. It seems that people are more closed than even 5 or 10 years ago. Is it that social skills of people are changing with the convenience of the internet, or are people less trusting of others?

Unity in the Gospel:

As Christians, we know that true unity comes from being made right with God through Christ:

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. Ephesians 1:7-10.

(See also Ephesians 4:11-13). Paul is speaking about his plan for the redemption and unification of world. This was God’s plan from the beginning and we see the unity manifest in the church.

Charleston needs the church:

There are loads of passages in Scripture about church planting: The book of Jonah, Esther and Daniel, The parable of the soils (Mark 4: 1-20), the Great Commission (Matt 28:18-20), and passages like Psalm 96:3 and Revelation 14:6 are just a few, but it is the book of Acts which gives generous details as to what actually happens in church planting.

Here are some of the Apostle Paul’s experiences in church planting:

  • He prayed, fasted, and was guided by the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:1-2, 4; 16:6, 9)
  • He was sent out by another group of believers (Acts 13:3)
  • He joined with other believers (formed teams) to start churches (Acts 13:2; 15:36-16:3)
  • The team travels to a new area where Jesus was not known (Acts 13:4, Romans 15:20)
  • They proclaim the word of God from the Old Testament and taught about Jesus, the Good News (Acts 13:5-ff; 14:21)
  • Jesus performs miracles through the apostles so that people would believe (Acts 13:9-12; 14:8-9)
  • False prophets were exposed and rebuked (Acts 13: 4-12)
  • People believed in Jesus (Acts 13:48)
  • New believers face opposition and divisions arise with the Jews (religious) (Acts 14:1-7)
  • The word of the Lord continues to spread (Acts 13:49)
  • They travel to a new place to plant more churches (Acts 14:1, 6, 20)
  • They return to strengthen and encourage the disciples in each place (Acts 14:22)
  • They appoint leaders in each church and commit them to the Lord (Acts 14:23)
  • They return to their original sending church to report on the work (Acts 14:26-28)

Craigowan Road, Charleston, Dundee

While we don’t know what the particular path that God will lead the church plant in Charleston (see stpeters-dundee.org.uk/charleston-church-plant/), we do expect to see some of the same type of works happening as Paul did in his time. We are called to be faithful in all our life settings, to share the gospel, and most importantly, never think it is by our power, but remember that it is God’s power to save. I (Paul) planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 1 Corinthians 3:6-7

I want to live in a neighbourhood where I know my neighbours and they know me and my family and we can share in unity and friendship and mutual care for one another, but I simply don’t think there can be real unity without Christ. Only in him can we find true peace with God and thus find real unity with our neighbours. God intended that they would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us. ‘For in Him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘- We are His offspring.’ Acts 17:27-28

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Tim Allyn is a counsellor with Momentum Counselling Services and an elder in St. Peter’s Free Church. Tim is also a part of the Launch team for Charleston Church Plant.

June 2017