Through your prayers and giving, you are our partners in proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. Pray that we would continue to do so with all boldness and without hindrance!
“It's totally appropriate to want to 'care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood’ (Acts 20:28). But we also, 'do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry' (2 Timothy 4:5) and 'Walk in wisdom towards outsiders, making the best use of the time.' (Colossians 4:5)” This is a tension that Ali McLachlan - pastor of Grace Baptist Church Edinburgh and Associate General Secretary of GBP - has had to wrestle with, like most pastors over the past year. Ali recognises that each church is different, and each context. Pastoral care will look different from place to place and person to person. He continues:
“We should not pass judgement on others, but be supportive. Throughout, our attitude has been to encourage others to do more, by our example. This is much more wholesome than to scold others for not doing enough. Such an approach is sinful (Rom. 14:4; 1 Cor. 5:12).”
So what has striking this balance looked like at Grace Baptist Church Edinburgh? Church members have been encouraged to make weekly contact with others, paying particular attention to those who may be lonely or needy. Weekly pastoral phone or text contact was made with all church members, particularly for prayer. Ali provided daily video devotions on Facebook and Whatsapp. Time for conversation was made after Zoom services to provide some fellowship, even if not fully embodied. On those occasions when the church was not physically gathering due to lockdown, acknowledgements were made that Zoom was not ideal and personal contact would be resumed as soon as possible. The constant watchword was “we will do all that we can, as soon as we can in worship and witness - while demonstrating compliance with the health precautions wherever possible.”
While the Scottish government may pursue a policy of interminable lockdowns, the church of Jesus Christ cannot in truth be locked-down. The church concluded that it is within their rights to publicly observe worship in community with others, and their responsibility to do so in the spirit of “if possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all” (Romans 12:18).The Lord has been faithful to bless them with growth, and increasing numbers of visitors. They are grateful for evangelistic opportunities over the past year, and were able to send care packages with gospel resources to self-isolating students near them. Far from hindering them, there are even ways in which it could be said COVID-19 is enhancing their ministry.
Pray for continuing pastoral wisdom, contextual understanding, and clear and hopeful leadership in the face of crises. Pray too for the deepening maturity and stability of the congregation and that no opportunity would be lost to tell the city of Edinburgh about Jesus.
Pray that people who have met with the church in person or over Zoom would continue to do so, and would return if they have stopped.
Pray for Ali in his role as Associate General Secretary of Grace Baptist Partnership.
You can make a gift to Grace Baptist Partnership and the ongoing work of leadership training, church planting and revitalisation, using this link: Donate | Grace Baptist Partnership.
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