iMI.

5 1983

Epistle from England

. . . A report from ministries challenging a post- Christian nation with the claims of Christ.

APRIL1983VOL.10N0.7
ERDINGTON REPORT RELIGIOUS SUBSTITUTES OR THE REAL THING?

If you visited British Churches of Christ, you would immediately see their traditions. You
would be aware that there are some sub

them to walk between the fences, they could not. Their oral traditions kept them away from sin, but it also kept them away from God. They were so afraid of doing wrong that they could
not do right. Jesus never scorned the Mosiac Law. His

stantial ways in which their worship and life

style is different from yours. You would then assess whether you thought that these tradi tions were helpful or not. Do the songs help people to worship? Does the structure of the communion help people to meet the Jesus of the cross and resurrection who is alive today?
If someone from our British church came to

Father had given it to the people to keep them

from sin, but even more to reveal sin. But Jesus could not follow all of the oral law

because some of it would have kept him from God's willgiving Life.
Religious Worries Jesus had trouble with the oral laws about

your church, he would see In the same way. He

would look at your traditions and assess them according to their helpfulness. But what he sees as your tradition, you might very well see as a part of God's Word. This is because the passed-down traditions, that is the way we express the Word of God in practice, often
become confused with the Word of God itself.

the Sabbath. The profound point of the Sab bath was that it was to help man to be re freshed after six days of hard work. But as the oral law grew, the Sabbath rules grew to hun

dreds of detailed regulations. Instead of giving

people rest, the Sabbath provided them with

new things to worry about. Instead of looking forward to a day of rest and upbuilding, people
now looked forward to their manual labor

In fact, traditions often assume a greater

Importance in dally life than God's Word.
Thd Ones Who Were Serious About The Law

during the week when they were free of the burdens of the Sabbath. Once so good and
helpful for man, the Sabbath was now an oppressor, which even stopped people from giving life and help to others. (Donald B.

Even though we often identify them with the bad guys, the Pharisees were really good peo
ple who wanted to see the Law work out In

daily life. They wanted

to follow God so much

Kraybiil's The Upside Kingdom gives helpful

insight and background. Jesus refused to support the oral laws when they were killers (Mark 3 & John 5). He came

that they created the

oral law as a fence to

keep them from falling

into sin.

to give Life while the traditions of the elders

(Mark 7:3) often squashed all the life out of the

people.

The Pharisees were extremely afraid of sintoo afraid of sin. Their fear of sin often kept them from follow ing where God wanted

IL

The Problem Today It was Jesus' failure to support the tradi

them to go. For exam

ple, If God wanted

tions of men which made him the object of attack by the scribes and Pharisees (Mark 3:6, John 5:16). Within the churches today it is the
(continued.on the back page)

HINCKLEY REPORT
Pete Bo wen Jan Bowe/i Janet Baines

to answer our prayers. I'm certain we'll see

the whole body growing as each part works as

it should.
TONY

MOTHERING: IS !T IMPORTANT? Does a mother have a real contribution to

Tony
Calverl

DEVELOPING MINISTRIES "Under Christ's control all the different

parts of the body fit together and the whole body Is held together by every joint with which it is provided. So when each separate part works as it should, the whole body grows and builds itself up through love." I've noticed that numerical growth in our church at Hincl<ley seems to run in cycles. Sometimes we see many people baptized in a relatively short time, then we have a period with few baptisms. I think of these times with few conversions as periods God uses to con solidate the growth that has taken place. It
seems to me that we are in one of those

make to the life of her children, the church, and the world? I believe she most definitely does (and not just because I am a mother!) Because I see mothers and their responsi bilities as very important, I have started a mother-toddler group in my home. Mother's groups are very common in England, but to study what God has to say about BEING a mother at such a group Is not! During our group meeting, we are going through a Book called Mastering Motherhood. In the book the author (a Christian) covers such topics as "God's relationship to mothers", "What kind of parent is God?", and "God's kind of love".
There are two mothers from our church who

attend regularly. The other three mothers live locally, but their commitment to Christ is not certain. It is my desire that God will use these discussion times to help each mother see His

periods now.

perspective on them and their parenting. But I

also desire that those who are involved and

What has the Lord been doing to prepare us for another growth period? I believe He has been helping us to develop ministries of indi vidual church members. As He does so, some of our corporate needs are being met.
For some time now we have been without a

piano or organ player. But we have discovered that David Moore ( a teen-ager) can heip us in worship with his accordian. Mick and Don Salter made their debut as guitarists only last night, accompanied by Don's wife on the
recorder.

need to accept Christ will do so as they learn about His teachings and his love for them. Even though I am sure that I will have a ministry in this group, I'm certain that Lynn and Janet (the two mothers from our church) will get a better hearing from the others. Why? Because they are not the minister's wife who is expected to think and act a certain way! Please keep us in your prayers as we reach out beyond our church to share Christ with
these other mothers.

Julie Salter is discovering that she loves to share the Gospel with people. She Is develop ing an evangelistic ministry that includes dis tributing tracts in the market on Saturdays. Janet Chamberlain is finding that she can
lead Bible studies for non-Christians and new

ANGIE

WEST BROMWICH UPDATE

Christians effectively. God is beginning to con firm Mick Salter's gifts as a preacher. Angie (Calvert) is finding she has a teaching and evangelistic ministry to mothers. This is only the beginning of a process of discovery for our members. As God continues

Pete, Jan and Gareth are awaiting the arrival of a baby in mid-April, if not before! Please keep them in your prayers!

WEST BROMWICH REPORT (West Midlands)

RELEARNING THE BASICS

Pete &
Jan Bowen

"there Is no condemnation for those who

are in Christ Jesus" states Paul in his letter to the Romans. For one man in our church

and Gareth

that is very hard to accept. He has said on

a number of occasions that he is not sure If

sin. Christ certainly died for his sins, he

would say, but only those that are con
all.

cause he may die with one unconfessed

he will be found among the faithful be-

.i

fessed. He fears that he does not know all of his sins and thus he cannot confess them

What makes this tragic case even worse Is that of the twenty members of the church he has the most Biblical knowledge. (In fact, he can read the Old Testament in the ori ginal language.) But, as too often is the case, just Biblical knowledge is not enough. One outcome of this lack of assurance is a constant 'whipping' of himself. He has created {and probably was taught) a legalistic framework into which grace cannot filter. Examples: to say 'Christmas' or 'Easter' from the pulpit is a sin, or to purchase a newspaper on Sunday (or Monday as it was printed on Sunday) borders on blas

phemy. To relieve his guilt, he punishes himself. Despite a number of personal visits and Bible studies, the legalism continues and it Is killing him spiritually. As the rest of the church grows and steps out on faith, he Is
left behind. He has told another member that he feels the odd man out, a loner.

The question naturally arises: is he really a Christian? Has he accepted the atoning death of Jesus as the covering for all his sin? I cannot answer those questions. But the responsibility of the church is clear: we must set an example of the freedom which
Christ has brought.
CURT SATURDAY JAM

We have a great bunch of kids at our Saturday morning club. At present there are only six, but they are regular, eager and fun to be with. I'd like to Introduce them to you and ask your prayers on their behalf. Allison~13, member of another church in town; she needs to learn to forgive her father who deserted her mother when Allison was quite young. Roslta~12, the seventh child of ten. A well adjusted child who is seriously thinking about making Jesus a part of her life. Wendy~11, Roslta's sister. Wendy is a nice child but very unaware of the world around her. She is in the 'dreamy stage' and needs gentle dashes of reality from time
to time.

Pat12. Her brother and sister used to attend clubs at the church when younger but 'outgrew them'. Pat enjoys club and like Rosita is considering the claims of Jesus as
her Lord.

Chrlstopher~a very intelligent 10. He is torn between the Church of England where his parents think it would be proper for him to attend at least through confirmation (they are not Christians) and the Church of Christ where he enjoys the club and our friendship. Gary10, brother of Rosita and Wendy. He is eager for acceptance but not sure how to go about just acting natural and being himself. He has potential and talent, but lacks
drive. GAIL

Erdington report continued:

failure to prop up the traditions of men which cause the real problems. Traditions, unessen-

God and choose from the varieties of express

ing It when our hearts are given to him. We have no trouble seeing that the Phari
sees traditions were not the Word of God. And we can see that the traditions of other denomi

tlals which are Identified as God's Word, are

what divides and causes conflict.

This should strike a common chord within

the followers among the Restoration Move

ment. It does not because the traditions of the movement have become identified with the

Word of God. The Word of God Is often not heard because the traditions are assumed to
be the Word. We are not so unlike the churches to whom Campbell, Stone and others
addressed their declarations.
Given Hearts

nations (e.g. dog collars, incense, genuflect ing) are not the Word of God~although to them they may express something special. But own traditions. They are not "pure gospel"and some of them are killers!

what we fail to see is our own attitude to our

the Lord's house on the Lord's day", but are

often the upholders of the traditions of men

Preachers speak ad nauseum of "being in

Perhaps most traditions in church lives are at some point a valid expression of God's

while the Word of God goes unspoken. Even If It is "successful", God may not be in it. Jesus
does not fit into many of our traditions because he knows that religion is a substitute for the
REAL THING.

Word. But they are an expression, they are

man-created, they not God's Word itself.

And God wants our expressions-man-made expressions! He enjoys them~lf they are out of our hearts (Mark 7:1-7).

"Thou Art The Man"

The way I pray or the times I pray are my

expression to God. That I pray Is the Word of God. The songs we choose together are our
expression to God. The tunes are not sacred.

What I am realizing is that I am the Phari see. I am the man too afraid of sin to enter

God's love. I am the upholder of religious

When leaders brought pub tunes Into the church in England, there was an almighty
ruckus among religious people. But now those tunes are considered the most religious tunes without which we could not worship. New
tunes are considered by some to be Irreverant while some consider them to be the essence of God Himself. The truth is that no tunes are God's Word. We must listen to the Word of

carry on, I may be found to be fighting the very God about whom I am preaching (not unlike
the Pharisees).

systems which deny the Life of God. And if I

Ourchurch wants the real thing even though some of our comfortablesubstitutes may have
to die with It. Death is always painful, but resurrection comes in the morning ...
ROGER

EPISTLE FROM ENGLAND Northwest Christian Church

TUNBRIDGE WELLS MINISTRY

Non Profit Org.

1700 Anthony Drive Champaign, IL 61820

U.S.A.

c/oGtrden Cottage,
Stone Street

U.S. Postage
PAID

Tunbndge WelU, Kent TNI 2QT England

HINCKLEY MINISTRY 1 Cheuher Street

Penilt No. 286

Chaaptign, 111.

Hinckley. Lciceatenhire

LE 10 OAH England
ERDINGTON MINISTRY

144 Gravelly Lane

Birminghatn 823 6LT England
WEST BROMWICH MINISTRY 2S Oiford Road

Sharlotte Ray
Ulssion Box 2427 Services

AMERICAN CORRESPONDENTS

West Bromwich,
Wet Midlandi B70 ePE

Tim & Nancy Barber

603 Caalleton

England

Champaign, IL 61S20
U.S.A.

Knaxville, IN

379

11

JUL

5 1983

Epistle from England

. . . A report from ministries challenging a post- Christian nation with the claims of Christ.
JUNE 1983
ERDINGTON REPORT

VOL. 10 NO. 9

(Birmingham)
The next weekend took us to a small

Roger & Michille

Edrington

church just outside of the Lake District, one of England's beauty spots. The moors and fields of Kirkby-in-Furness make it a delightful spot to visit, but my contribution was to preach God's Word in such a way that they would be challenged to step out In faith. It was their 175th Anniversary, but there are only 15-20 at normal Sunday meetings. A retired minister from the U.S.A. is now with them for a year's mini
stry.

TRAVELLING NORTH TO THE EXTREMITIES

I don't travel to other churches very much. But in the past few weeks, I have been serving (and hopefully helping) four
other churches.

The final weekend was spent on the wet and windy northern coast of Scotland. These two North Sea fishing villages have churches which were full In the past, but now average 10-15 for morning commu
nion services. The congregations are mainly elderly and wonder how they can
carry on.

My wife Michelle is the creative, musi cal type, so she led a group of us from Erdlngton in an hour of musical items in Stoke-on-Trent (known as "The Potteries" and home of Wedgwood, Royal Doulton and many others). The church there was hosting a Festival of Music to which out siders might come to hear the gospel in a different way. We hoped that our songs (many written by Michelle) would hit at the core of people's being and urge them to get to know Jesus. Two police inspectors,
one of them the head of the local Christian

In Buckle, two American families have

Police Fellowship (I didn't know there was one), were sandwiched between our songs and words. It was encouraging to see a number of people who had recently becortie Christians there, although a few of
the older church had left because of the

changes. Their minister is a West Indian who trained in the U.S.A., married an Australian, and had his last ministry in
Korea!

now joined for a team ministry, hoping to aid in bringing the life of God afresh. The church there needed encouragement that there were others in the country who cared. The other church, in a small village dubbed by other villages as "The Holy City", needed strong words to make them realize that religion without love for Jesus is useless. (In ten years living in Britain, I had never seen so many people in hats and carrying Bibles, walking to various even ing church meetings.) Many churches in Britain are In the same state as these struggling ones. We Americans, who come from a culture more akin to the last mentioned village, are not messiahs. Yet we do offer them an oppor tunity for leadershipor often just youthful zeal for God~that may help them on the
road to churches where Jesus is lived out

and proclaimed.
ROGER

HINCKLEY REPORT
Pete Bowen Jan
Bowen Janei

but there was. And 1 wasn't the only one. Our pride led to contentment, a willing ness to accept things as they were. We for got that no forward movement in evangel ism and maturity is backward movement. Repentance and renewed committment is
in order.

Baines

Tony
Calvert

2 Many members were content to know each other in a very superficial way. They neglected their responsibility to develop deep and lasting friendships with
fellow Christians who were different from

them. Because they did not know each other, they misunderstood and suspected
WE'VE GOT A PROBLEM
each other.

I had fun when I wrote about baptizing

Old and new clashed. The Christians

eighteen people in 1981. It was enjoyable to report more growth in 1982. I'm not hav ing much fun writing this, because I have to write about some serious problems we are having at our fellowship in Hlnci^ley. It is hard to strike the right balance: I don't
want to make the situation more serious

who had been at the church for many years were used to their traditions; those who had been Christians for a few years (or

less) saw no sense in those traditions. Older Christians said,"They're trying to take over."; newer Christians countered with,"They're spiritually dead." 4 Most important of all the reasons for our set back is this: Everyone treated the
"one another" of God's Word as added

than it is, and cause undue concern, yet I don't feel I can hide the realities from you our friends and supporters. So what's up. Maybe I should say, "What's down?", because both member

ship and attendance at worship are. A gradual loss of momentum through the course of last year culminated last month
in disagreement and conflicts between some church members. Five members (in

cluding two married couples) have decided

to leave the church: many others are re-

optional extras to the Christian life. "Love one another"; "Accept one another as Christ has accepted you"; "Forgive one another"; Encourage one another"; "Do not judge one another"; "Serve one another": Everyone knew about them. But far too many failed to do them!
We've got problems. We have failed in some important ways. But God is an expert at producing His successes from the after math of our failures. I believe that. I hope your prayers will help us demonstrate it.
TONY

evaluatlng their committment to Christ

and His church. There is still a core of

concerned, committed Christians at Hinckley, so we do not despair. Jesus is

still Lordeven Lord of our messes. There

is no despair, but we do have cause for real

concern. And cause for some self-

Inspection. I'd like to share may analysis of what caused our problems:
1 I think we have rested on past accom

plishments. 1 know I was proud of the fact that our church grew from six to forty members in three years. 1 tried to tell my self there wasn't really any pride involved,

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not In de spair;. . .11 Corinthians 4.8

Rita

3^

OR

Ide

Gall
Burns Linda Nordhielm Curt Nordhielm

THE JOY OF PREACHING

I have always been committed to the priority of preaching. To hear the Word of
God procalimed effectively brings no greater joy. But, at times for me to preach effectively was very difficult. Preparing a sermon was a real chore and often preach ing it was very difficult (especially when the worship service was about as victorious as a non-Christian burial service). But recently I have found a new joy in my preaching, a new freshness which apparently is coming through in the ser mons. Recently a lady said to me that she does not like to hear anyone else but me preach as they all sound empty. I have to ask myself what has caused this change. Up until a week ago I could not answer that question except with the trite

THE FUN OF CHILDHOOD

Take fourteen children, as many par ents, a Sunday afternoon, a chapel room with all the pews and chairs pushed to the walls, cakes, sandwiches and tea waiting in the back Sunday School room, and electric excitement radiating from the chil dren and you have a mixture which just cannot fail to be hilariously fun! And that is what the Parent's Apprecia tion Tea was. Instead of a progam, It was decided to have games and fun with the parents. Try it sometime for a bit of some thing different with a youth group or one

and perhaps superspiritual answer of the Holy Spirit working in me. But then it
dawned on me~the reason my preaching Is so different is that I really love the people I am working with and they love me. This is not to say we agree on every fine point of theology. We do not. But because of love those differences do not cause problems. At times I have had to say some hard things, but because of the love which Is present those difficult teachings can be said in all humility and received in humil ity. This means that I am not threatened nor are those who are listening. Instead of saying, "You have done this or caused that" I can now say "Look at the mess we
are in because of what we have done."

Sunday School class. It's good for the parents to let themselves go and play the fun games of childhood. It's good for the children to play with and watch their par ents willingly (mainly) play the games, too. The relay races may leave all but the kids
breathless, but what fun. At the conclusion of the games, the par
ents were allowed to rest while the chil

dren set the food out (some of which they had made themselves). Then each child escorted his parents to the table to eat and laugh about the past hour. The afternoom closed with the children reading a short poem of appreciation for all their parents had done for them. It was a lovely after
noon.

GAIL

Now I look forward to 11.45 on Sunday

mornings as preaching God's Word is an absolute joy.

CURT

LIGHT & SALT - BOTH NEEDED

WEST BROMWICH REPORT (West Midlands)

The church over the centuries has often Pete & Jan Bowen
and Gareth

SALTY

swung to extremes in its emphasis con cerning what the gospel is. At times the church has been oniy concerned for man In terms of his external destiny and has neglected issues of man's physical and social needs in this life. Such an emphasis eats away at the credibility of the'gospel. For when people look for a practical expression of the love of God through His Church in the world, it is lacking. At the other extreme, the church at times gets so involved in issues of social justice that it fails to speak about man In his relationship with God and His external destiny. Jesus clearly dealt with the whole man. He cared for people centrally in terms of their relationship to God but flowing from that, He certainly did not ignore their other needs. He was full of compassion and action for the poor, sick and outcasts of society. God seems to be dealing with His church In this nation on this whole problem. He is moving us both In terms of evangelism and
social care. As the church continues to

move forward in living out an integrated gospel - both proclaiming Christ and living out the life of Christ as Light and Salt in society - so I am confident that people will begin to take notice of the church and Its message about Jesus in a way It has not done for years.
PETE

EPISTLE FROM ENGLAND Northwest Christian Church 1700 Anthony Drive Champaign, IL 61820

TUNBRIDGE WELLS MINISTRY

Non Profit Org.

c/oGarden Collage,
Stone StrMt

U.S. Posuse
PAID

Tunbridge WelU. Kent TNI 2QT England

HINCKLEV MINISTRY I Cheuher Slreel

Ptnilt No. 286

Chanpalgn, 111.

Hinckley, Leicetterahire LF. 10 OAH England

ERDINCTON MINISTRY

144 Gravelly Lane Birmingham 823 6LT England

Sharlotte Ray
WEST BROMWICH MINISTRY
2& Oxford Road

Mission Services
Box 2427

AMBHICAN CORRESPONDENTS

Weal Bromwich,
We( Midland) B70 8PE

Tim ti Nancy Barber

603 Cutlclon

England

Champaipi, IL 61820
U.S.A.

KnoxviUe, TN

379jl

P \ DG

'Jt'L

Epistle from England

. . . A report from ministries challenging a post- Christian nation with the claims of Christ.
VOL. 10,
.lV tliiS

ERDINGTON REPORT

(Birmingham)

Roger & Michille Edrington

The follot-nng ie an evangelistiaally oriented article for Birmingham's EVENim MAIL EXTRA. It appeared during
Britain's national water worker's

strike. Please excuse the paper's liberal use of Rev.

Hash >
flUST fiMc
that God had met with them, but it was very important.
We're very fearful of losing our water supply these days. We use il for so many things that it's
unthinkable to be without it. One

STEVE & HILLARY SAVAGE (both 36) had been believers in

our Lord, working with the Church of England for some time. Serious about Christianity for many years and wanting more of God, they moved to our fellowship eighteen months ago --only after much prayer, consideration, and talking with
other Christians and their vicar. They readily fit into our group of Christians who want to grow in the Lord. They were overwhelmed with the newness of God they were gaining.

thing we can't do anymore Is to go

out and get it ourselves. We're so hygiene conscious that most of us
wouldn't even drink out of a

sprlngwater

stream.

We're

dependent for our water on someone who we rarely see. We trust him to have carefully puHfied
our water, which Is our
talked
But

They had considered being baptized a number of times, but didn't see the point. They saw that it was normal at the point of becoming a Christian, but they had already ex perienced the conversion promises of our Lord. They were not willing to be baptized just to be "members" of our churchinadequate motivation for anyone, in my view. But a few months ago, the issue arose again. On a Sunday, Hillary privately concluded that God wanted her to be baptized. On Monday, Angela came with a word that God wanted them both to be baptized. Steve objected. For weeks they debated and argued. It brought out issues in their lives and marriage that needed healing. Hillary had "a burning conviction", Steve finally had the certainty that it was right but no feelings to ac company it. They were both baptized into Jesus in order to obey what our Lord says--an example to all of us to obey in those areas where God convicts. The blessings of obeying are yet to be revealed.
ROGER

main
to a
his

necessity of life.
desus
should

of Nazareth
not trust

woman whose society said that sh^

him.

complete
caused

knowledge
her to

of

her
to

life
him

listen

carefully when he made a claim that he could give her life-giving

water and from a source never

jeopardised

by

strikes,

drought,

wear, or malfunction.

Of course, he was talking about

a different kind of substance, but

something all of us n^ed in order to have real life rather then Just existence. If you're like this woman (and most of us), you'll probably iiave plenty of questions about how this supply can really link up with you and whether it can be trusted just like they had when that first water board laid the first pipes. So you'll need to talk with someone who is already linked up. But one thing is certain. When you see it, you'll recognise it as the real thing.

WHAT

DO

WE DO...?

Ue would like to share with you our dilemma about our church building, especially as we wish for your prayers while we gather informa tion about its condition and expectancy. The
information already received is not good. The

building has rising damp, dry rot, woodworm and

ageall of which in varying degrees will de stroy a building. One of our builders has said that our floor has 5-7 years before it collap ses. The building is functional although in no way is it adequate for the church's needs especially when grov/th comes. The heating is not adequate and is expensive due to lack of
insulation.

MEETINGS

YUK?
Many times after Christmas I find most people tend to fall into a slump. The big rush is over.

Does that give you a good idea of what we face? Our church meeting discussed these facts, along with others in trying to decide the fu ture of our present building. The following options are on the table: 1 1} Raze and rebuild. Building regulations
would mean that we would lose much interior

spaceif they would allow us to build at all. 2) Resite. This is possible, but half-anacre sells for about $45,000.

After working hard on parties, plays or programs of some kind, there is nothing to work towards. Easter is too far away to make us busy. But I have seen here little sign of the post-holiday slump. We've no time to slack off. The parties and programs are over, but there is still too much
to be done.

3) Minor remodelling. We must treat wood worm, dry rot, etc. It is possible to add
classrooms for Sunday School by creating a
second floor if the foundations can withstand
it.

4) Major remodelling.

Completely gut the

This

inside and rebuild from the foundations.

We had a meeting of church members in January to discuss what to do about evangelism, finance and the building. The meeting was a vivid demon
stration of how God can draw Christian together to work toward a conmon goal with love and unity. Since we have been ministering here we have

would allow for the second floor.

Costly, but

probably cheaper than resiting.

The church needs to make a decision soon. And it needs to be a decision which will re

flect good stewardship of what God provides for us. Your prayers will help us in that
matter.

noticed evidence of bitter resentment, prideful spirits and selfish desires. Unloving disagree
ments have occurred. None of this was evident in

the meeting. People listened to each other. Ideas were discussed until they were either ac

cepted or discarded by unanimous decision. The discussion of finance showed a growing trust of
each other.

But as much as God was seen working in people during the meeting, it is still only a small glimpse of how He is moving these people toward a more mature and meaningful witness of God's
love in this coimunity.
RITA

HINCKLBY REPORT

I don't think I've ever had so much funi

As she began to see that the Gospel was de signed especially for her, the worry and fear began to leave her face. I thoroughly

enjoyed telling her that only sinners who

admit their sins are acceptable to God; that God was gracious, accepting the unde serving; that she was acceptable to the Church of Christ because she was acceptable
to Christ; that Jesus Christ had died to take

away her sin and give her the joy she longed for. I had so much fun I could hardly sit
still in the chair to tell her!

Mary prayed aloud in the presence of another person for the first time that day.
She confessed her own sin and asked God to

fun!
Mary (a pseudonymn) is a middle aged nurse who, unknown to her friends and acquaintances, was filled with grief and seething with bitterness and hatred. One of our church members spoke to her about the joy of being a Christian and as a result she began to attend services. Hearing
and reading God's Word convinced her that she
must tell me about herself. But she was afraid to do it. She was convinced I would not want

help her forgive her sister and her husband. We are studying in the Bible to find out

what she must do to complete what God has started in her life. Her baptism is iiminent. This is funl

I must confess I don't always get that

excited about Jesus and His Good News.

That's a mark of my imperfect faith. --I hope!

But

this kind of fun could become addictive

TONY

someone like her in "my" church.

The story was Ugly. Ugly because of what had happened to her and ugly because of what she had become. Mary had been betrayed in the most de vious and hurtful way any wife could be deceived. Five years ago she had discovered her husband was having an affair--with her favorite sister. And she discovered that the affair had been going on for twelve of the thirty years they had been married. She had been totally and cotrpletely deceived. I cannot really explain how deeply she was wounded, but I'm sure you can imagine. Five years had done little to alleviate the pain (time is not always a great healer). Though she and her husband remained together, they were just two people living under the same roof. Mary felt destroyedand angry. She be came very bitter. She took every opportunity to punish her husband; she threatened bodily harm to her sister. So the story was doubly ugly: ugly because of the deception Mary suffered; ugly
because she learned to hate.

JVoie

I want to take this opportunity to say "Thank you" to all those back home--family, friends, and the
churches that I was able to visit.

The time went so quickly that I did

not have a chance to talk with

Mary was desperately looking for some joy.

Her growing faith convinced her that Jesus could

supply that joy. She longed to be accepted by Kim and His people. So she asked me if someone with an ugly story like that, with ugliness all
around her and inside her could be a Christian.

everyone as I would have liked. Thank you for your friendship, generosity, and many prayers. It was hard to say "Good-bye" even though I wanted to be back here in England. Thank you again. God bless you
JANET BAINES

WEST BROMWICH REPORT

(West Midlands)
Pete & Jan Bowen and Gareth

PIUMBLINE PREPARATION
When God is wanting to do some thing big in human history, it usu ally takes a while to prepare His people and the situation for His action. For example, God was at work in Egypt and in the life of Moses for many years preparing for

the Exodus.

Moses spent forty years away from Egypt as God prepared him

for his task of leading Israel to freedom. Many Christians in Britain feel that God is preparing for something big in this nation. His desire is for people to be saved and the nation as a whole needs to be turned around from its path of destruction. In God's preparation to move, one thing He is concerned about is quality. The nation needs Christ but it does not need the lukewarm Christianity that is part and parcel of so much of the church here. So God is at work to purify and to renew. God wants a church on fire for him, a church that is ready for Him. We here at West Bromv/ich, along with many others, are experiencing

God sorting us out. In the Old Testament God showed Amos a plumbline and spoke of setting the line against the house of Israel and then knock ing down what was out of line. So God is setting a plumbline among us, revealing and knocking down what is crooked. Further, He is revealing inadequate foundational work.

He wants to get us firmly founded in Christ so that He can build a people who will glorify Him and a people through whom He can achieve His pur
poses. The process is painful but our desire is to be His and to share
in His work.

EPISTLE FROM ENGLAND Northwest Christian Church

TUNBRIDGE WELLS MINISTRY

Hon Profit Org.

1700 Anthony Drive Champaign, IL 61820

U.S.A.

c/oCarden Cottage,
Stone Street

U.S. Postage
PAID

Tonbridge Wella. Kent TNI 2QT England

HINCKLEY MINISTRY I Cheuher Street

Pemlt No. 286

Co

ChMpaIgn, 111.

Hinckiey. Leicestershire
LE 10 OAH England
ERDINGTON MINISTRY

M4 Gravelly Lane

Birmingham 823 6LT England

WEST BROMWICH MINISTRY
'ii Oxford Road

AMERJCAN CORRESPONDENTS

Weal Bromwich.
West Midlands 870 8PE

Tim & Nancy Barber

603 Coalleton

Sharlotte Ray Mission Services

Box 427

England

Champaign. IL 61820
U.S.A.

Knoxville, IN

379.

Epistle from England

. . . A report from ministries challenging a post- Christian nation with the claims of Christ.

July, 1983
ERDINGTON REPORT

Vol. 10 No. 10

(Birmingham)

Roger & Michille

Edrington

NO TURNING BACK

It began with her husband Phil. He always wanted something more In life; he
was one of those rare truth seekers. He studied with the Jehovah's Witnesses, was the one white member at a black-led

Pentecostal Church; he even sold his house

A series of lovely events (Including her delivered food being stolen off her door

and spent two months travelling In the

USA! So when JEANNY (29) heard him

step and later the culprit returning!) and

Informal teaching by Phil and others made
It certain that she wanted to be a follower

say, "I've finally found what I'm looking for," her response was a to-the-point, "Oh,
no! Not again!"

Jenny went on a weekend away with our

church and found we were ordinary peo

of Jesus. She was already witnessing to others, including her very hurt and hardened-against-God dad before she was
baptised into Jesus.

ple. She thought that she could never be as good as we were {little did she know . . .), but our ordinariness surprised her and something happened inside.
A few months later, she became our

As Jeanny stood dripping wet from the

baptismal waters and her own tears, many

others were in tears singing, "God forgave my sin In Jesus' Name. I've been born again In Jesus' Name . . . Freely,
freely ..."

church cleanerand a jolly good one at

that. An old friend had come back Into her

life and she found that his antagonism toward God, as hard as It was, prompted her to find that she was beginning to be lieve. As she cleaned one Saturday, she
realised for the first time that Jesus was a

God has put His hand on Jeanny in such a way that she'll never be the same again. Very calmly she says, "I could never turn back now. I just don't see how people turn back when they get to love Jesus."
ROGER

real person and she began to talk with

Him.

HINCKLEY REPORT
Pete

Bowen
Jan

Bowen
Janet Baines

POST OPERATIVE SHOCK?

Tony
Calveri

I have never been seriously ill or Injured

PLEASE PRAY FOR:

to a point where I had to have surgery. However, I know that after major surgery such as an amputation, there is a long

period of therapy before there is total

recovery.

Our summer camps. Many of us are once again involved in these and we long to see the young people come to know Christ in a real and personal way and to trust Him
to make them into all He intended them to be at creation.

During this period of recovery, I imagine

the patient must face and deal with the

conflicting emotions, bewilderment, Inse

curity and must begin to face life with the help of family and, of course, the doctor.
Even the family will have to make some

The teens in our church. Many are going

through difficult exams and studies and facing difficult decisions about the future.

re-adjustments in their lifestyle and in dealing with the problems a physically different 'you' will have. But, all must work and need the support of each other to
achieve a normal and healthy lifestyle. I think this is where we are at in Hin-

Dan and Amy Yarnell, Angie Calverts sister and brother-in-law. They have arrived in England to begin ministry work with a church in Birmimgham. They are in desperate need of a house. At present they are living with Tony and Angle and com muting several days a week.
DISCOVERING THE MYSTERY
OF FORGIVENESS IN THE COMMUNITY

ckley. After the difficulties, hurt, conflict ing emotions, and pain we are now be ginning to come out of our "post operative
shock". We are beginning to come to terms

with the past and are moving into a period of therapy to help us along. We have had
the choice of just pretending the past

didn't exist and going on as though noth ing happened, but we know that would leave open wounds which make it impos sible to get close to each other. We have
decided to risk instead. We are all facing

"Community is the place of forgiveness.

In spite of all the trust we may have in each other, there are always words that wound, self-promoting attitudes, situations where susceptibilities clash. That is why living together implies a certain cross, a constant effort, an acceptance which is daily, and
mutual forgiveness." "If we come into community without

doubts and pain in doing so, there is some

stiffness and reserve but, there is under neath adesire for deep healing.

We long to see God at work. We long to

see the church fully alive and a witness to show just what God can and will do in our lives today. After all we've been through we still have a trust in the "Physician" and the hope He gives us for the future.
JANET

discover the mystery of forgiveness, we will soon be disappointed."

knowing that the reason we come is to

PROBLEMS,PROBLEMS

Rita Ide

PROBLEM ONE: Somebody arrives for a short time to work in a church and exper ience the ministry in a foreign culture; what is the best and quici<est way to help them to meet the people of the church?
PROBLEM TWO: The church members

Gall
Burns Linda Nordhielm

Curl
Nordhielm

tend not to spend much time together except for Sunday worship and a few other
scheduled activities. How can we get them

GOING SOFTLY

to spend some time together in an informal

setting? SOLUTION: Have a barbeque. RESULT: Debbie Tice, after having
arrived from the States for a summer in

ternship with us and another church got a quicl< introduction to the church members. She could later refer back to people she
had seen and with whom she had talked. And in the time Gail and I have been

You might remember reading in a past Epistle that the parents of our Sunday School children are not Christians. They just send their children to Sunday School because they think it the "good" thing to
do.

You might have read In a January issue of Christianity Today an article on "Life style Evangelism". (If you haven't, I would recommend it.) It suggests fostering
freindshlps with non-Christians to chal

here I do not remember any time when the church members were so relaxed. Every

body seemed to enjoy just talking and fellowshlpping together. Of course, it was also good to share the food, though a few
did eat an awful lot!
RITA

lenge them in a more natural way with the

claims of Christ.

In light of both above Rita and I decided

to invite three of the Sunday School mums to our home for coffee one morning. No thing heavy . . . just chatting, drinking

coffee, eating our way through a warm

bundt cake and looking at some slides of
A THOUSAND PARDONS "We are not the masters of our own

the children the mums had not seen be

fore. It was very enjoyable and as we were feelings of attraction or revulsions, which
come from the places in oursleves over
which we have little or no control. All we

in a relaxed atmosphere the mums did not feel as if they were being lured into the spider's parlor.
Our desire is to show that we are "nor

can do Is try not to follow inclinations

which make for barriers within the commu

nity. We have to hope that the Holy Spirit

will come to forgive, purify and trim the rather twisted brandies of our being. Our emotional makeup has grown from a thousand fears and egoisms since our

mal" people, yet different in a splendid kind of way. We desire to give and receive friendshipswhether Christian or not. If
we do not reach out into the world with our

lives and the loving concern Jesus gives us, what good is our clustered Sunday wit
ness to a wary and weary world.
GAIL

infancy, as well as from signs of love and the gift of God. It is a mixture of shadow and light. And so it will not be straight
ened out in a day; this will take a thousand purifications and pardons, daily efforts and above all a gift of the Holy Spirit which
renews us from within." . -from Jan Vanier.

PRAYER, PLEASE, FOR:

House-to-house survey being done this

summer.

Community and Growth.

Barbara and Hugh Jagelman who are fear ful of talking about Christ. Allen Stovell as he contemplates the rededicating of his life to Christ.

WEST BROMWICH REPORT (West Midlands)

Pete & Jan Bowen and Gareth

who we treat those who are in need, where our life is going. These and many more things we need to regularly assess before God so that we might be truly walking in
His will.

So often we find as we ask questions that we are really doing what we want. Or we may be doing what we've always doneeven before we became Christians. We

THE NEED TO QUESTION

So much of

what

we do as

human

beings, even as Christians,we do without questioning or considering why we do it or whether it is right. And of course, we would never get anything done If every day we questioned everything. Shoutd I get up? Should I put on some shoes? Should I wash? Should I clean my teeth? Some things we do regularly out of habit and that is alright. We don't need to question them
all the time.

may have never even considered that God's way on this or that was different. Or we may be doing something because that's the way our parents did it or because that's what everyone in our society (even our church) does. Sometimes as we question our lives in the light of God and His word, we are quite shocked. But it is better to question, be shocked, and change to walk in God's will than to drift merrily on our way and then when we face God to be shocked by the words, "I never knew you." We need to question!
PETE

PLEASE NOTE:

However as Christians, it is right that we do spend time questioning our lives to see if the things we do really are the things
that God wants us to do--whether we are

Our next issue will be a combined AugustSeptember Epistle.

really moving with Him or whether we are just doing our own thing.

Roger & Michelle Edrington are in the USA from June 24 to August 21. Friends
who wish to contact them may phone: 816-699-3496 or 816-679-5698
for their whereabouts!

How we spend our time, our money, how

we treat those with whom we live or work,

EPISTLE FROM ENGLAND Northwest Christian Church 1700 Anthony Drive Champaign, IL 61820
U.S.A.

TUNBRIDGE WELLS MINISTRY c/oGardcn ColUge.

Scone Strl

Non Profit Org.

U.S. Postage
PAID

Tunbridge Wells. Kent TNI 2qT England

HINCKLEY MINISTRY I Chessher Street

Permit No. 286

ChMpaIgn, 111.

Hinckley, Lcicestmhirt LE 10 OAH England

ERDINGTON MINISTRY

144 (iravetly Lane

Birmingham 823 6LT England

WEST BROMWICH MINISTRY

Sharlotte Hay Mission Services

AMERICAN CORRESPONDENTS

'25 Oxford Rotd West Bromwich.

WeiMidlamUB70 8PE

Tim & Ntncy Btrtwr

603 Cutlelon

KnoxviUe, TN

Box 2427

37901

England

Chtmpsign. IL 61820
U.S.A.

JlJ/O

Epistle from England

. . . A report from mimstries challenging a post- Christian nation with the claims of Christ.

August/September 1983 Vol. 10 No. 11

TUNBRIDGE WELLS REPORT (Kent)
lL*n (o rifKll

The hospital ran four hours of tests, but could find nothing wrong. They sent him
home, but asked me to check on him a

Linda Nordhielm Curt Nordhielmi Doneita Nordhielm Gail Burns Rita Ide

A DRESS REHEARSAL FOR THE LAST CHANCE TO WITNESS

Paul (not his real name) is a very quiet and thoughtful man. He is much respected by his fellow Christians for his faith and depth of spiritual life. I, too, respect him and dearly love him, but i always had an uneasy feeling that his outward show of religion often did not touch his inner being. That theory was put to the test not long ago. The phone rang early one morning and the lady on the other end said that Paul was in some type of physical trouble; could I come quickly. Upon arriving at Paul's house I found
him in bed and in a terrible sweat. I asked

couple of times during the remaining part of the day. By the next morning Paul was feeling much better, but was still a long way from being his old self. He did, however, want to talk. During our talk I learned that his prayer the day before was a plea for God to forgive his sins. He was afraid of dying and judgement. Why, we would ask, is a man who appears to be spiritually deep so afraid of death and meeting God? A partial answer to that question came a few days later. I went by Paul's house just to check on him (he does not have a phone so I usually made the journey once a day) when he told me that I did not need to come any more. (He clearly had not fully recovered.) When
I told him that we were concerned about

him what was wrong to which he gave no response. His lips were, however, moving and I finally realized that he was praying.

I left the house to find the lady who had

phoned me and she said the doctor had just been and that she was going to call an
ambulance. When I told Paul that an

him and we had a brotherly responsibility to him he opened his heart and began to pour out his feelings about the church. When he was a teenager his step-mother died leaving him and his step-father in terrible financial straits. Despite many of the church members being quite wealthy no one offered any assistance. He decided right then and there he wa going to make it
in the world on his own. This attitude of

rugged individualism then swept through his entire life. He created a legalistic
framework for his own salvation. And to

ambulance was coming his prayer ended immediately and he said he would have nothing to do with that. He tried to get out of bed but his physical condition was such that he could not lift his head very high. By
this time another member of the church, a nurse, had arrived. Together we were able

to convince him to remain quiet and rest. He returned to his prayer.

receive help during a time of trouble from another Christian was out of the question. He was going to make it on his own. And using the world's standard he has made it. When I told him that bearing one anothers burdens was just as Biblical as believers baptism he became upset. Any

QC^-^tkuIeL oi ba^J

HINCKLEY REPORT

IS IT ANY WONDER?

(Leicestershire)

I began a series of Bible studies and dis

cussions with Frank and Kay Snell after renewing

Tony & Angela Calvert

Justin & Gillian

contact with them through door-to-door calling. Their son had attended our Sunday School and a few years ago Pete Bowen had met with them to discuss the Christian faith. It didn't take long to see that Kay was an angry unbeliever. I had the distinct impression that had she believed God was there, she would like to have liked to punch him in the nose. One evening we talked about two events that helped make her so angry at God. Both involved school teachers who professed to be
Christians.

DIFFICULT BUT NECESSARY

Every missionary and minister has to ask him self, "Am I the right leader for this church at this
time?" Effective and fruitful ministry can con

tinue as long as the answer is affirmative. But Vi/hen any servant of the Christ and the Church honestly believes that he or she is not the best person to meet the Church's needs, that minister
should stand aside for someone else. In the past

Kay recalled an experience in her early years at school. During a religious lesson, the children were asked to explain how man originated. The teacher obviously expected the children to respond, "God created man." But Kay didn't respond that way - she said people happened "like mold on strawberry jam". To her young (and unconventional) mind it was a very mysterious thing, not to be explained in a pat religious
answer. Her teachers response was to call her to the front, administer punishment (slaps on the palm with a tennis shoe), and make her repeat several times, "God created people". Later in her school experience Kay had a teacher who used the Bible as a tool for punish ment. When a student needed discipline the

few months Angle and I have gone through the agonies of making a very difficult and painful
decision. We have decided that the time has come

for us to finish our ministry in Hinckley and

return to the States. We will return to Indianapo

lis on August 31, and after a few months with the

East 38th Street Christian Church, I will be pre

paring for future ministry by entering a Master of Divinity program in a Restoration seminary. Angle and I feel a great debt to everyone who has supported us with prayer and money. The East 38th Street Christian Church in Indianapolis
and the Bluff Creek Christian Church in Green

teacher made them get their Bibles out and copy passages of Scripture over and over again sometimes for more than an hour. Then the

wood. Indiana have been extremely faithful in

supporting us. There are so many individuals who have helped that I can't mention them all. We give our heart-felt thanks to all of you. Words are inadequate to express our appreciation, but they're ail I've got! Please pray for the Church here at Hinckley as it changes from one minister to another. And please pray for our family, as we change from one
country to another! Many thanks to all who have served us as we

offenders were required to file past the waste basket, tear up the sheaves of paper, and return to their desks. I gathered that Kay was often on that teacher's black list, so she spent a lot of time mindlessly copying Scritpure verses. She learned from that teacher that God's Word was something
to be loathed.

Is it any wonder Kay hates God? Its clear she is responsible for her own decision to rebel against
her Creator. Her hatred for God is sin, and she
is under God's wrath because of it. But at least

have attempted to serve Christ. May God bless

you all!
TONY

two professing Christians stoked the flames of her anger by their unloving and clumsy attempts at discipline. I doubt if Kay is the only one who has something to answer for. It makes me wonder what my actions make people think about God!
TONY

(Anyone wishing to contact the Calverts in the

w United States should write in care of the East 38th w

* Street Christian Church, 6190 East 38th Street,

Indianapolis, IN.46226)

A CALL TO PRAYER

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of
evil in the heavenly realms."

How easily we forget this truth because our eyes do not see these evil powers. Yet
God's word clearly shows us that they exist and that we as His church are involved in
conflict with them.

In the light of this truth God has been showing us our need for deeper prayer to
attain the breakthrough we long for In seeing the West Bromwich Church move for ward. Whatever else we might do in other ways - "if the Lord does not build the
house, its builders labor in vain."

Satan's grip on the area is strong but the Lord reigns and says to us "ask and you
will receive." Please join us in praying that the Lord will add to His church here and

that those who are His will grow deeper in their walk with Him becoming increas
ingly fruitful in His service.
PETE

# Pete, Jan, Gareth, and David will be in Canada and the United States during Sep
tember and October. For contact from September 15th - Telephone: 918-682-3812.
WEST BROMWICH REPORT
ERDINGTON REPORT

(West Midlands)
Pete & Jan Bowen

(Birmingham)

and Gareth

Roger & Michille

Edrington

EXPERIENCE-HUMAN & SPIRITUAL

He had known something of Christianity beforethrough his wife and other Christiansbut only lately had DAVE FRETTINGHAM (33) begun to put together the last four years. Since Christianity is very much about experiencing God as well as believing Him, Dave spoke at his recent baptism about three important experiences
of God:

Firstly was his experience "on the road to Bradford." As he was driving, he was hit by an incredible experience of the peace of God. Secondly, his experience of the
church In South Africa where he went for a vacation to look at the country where he was born. Dave is a social worker and his sense of God's justice and help for the

oppressed was heightened by his first hand sight of apartheid. Thirdly, the fellow ship of our church. He had mainly experienced this through our mid-week Share 'n
Care, where he had been moved by the reality of movement of God among us. In the week following his baptism, Dave said that he felt very human and not very

spiritual. Now he sees that he needs to get down to a systematic study of God's word
and to see how God would sort out some of the relationships important to his life.
God works in those human areas as well.
ROGER

?
talk of anyone helping him was very threat ening to his individualism. No wonder, when he was on what he must have thought was his death bed, he was pleading for forgiveness. He was hop ing to achieve it by himself through long and pious prayers. As I reflected on this tragic event it called to mind the thoughts of John White In his book Daring to Draw Near. He makes the point in relation to death that
we have a choice on how we will die. Either

ANOTHER STRANGE ANSWER

After five years of door-to-door calling you would think you had heard every

answer possible. The following answer I

could never have predicted. When I asked a middle-aged woman if

she would be interested in some type of serious discussion about Christianity she
waved her hand and said no. But then she

continued: "If you ever want to sell your building let me know. I want to buy it."
Not only did this come as a shock to me

we can be dragged off stage begrudgingly, shaking our fist and fearful of what lies ahead or by giving glory to God for provid ing us withasure salvation. Paul, even though it was a dress rehear sal, was being dragged off stage and
because of that his witness was lost and

(someone really wants to buy our building) but it presented a whole new problem. Up
till then the church was only going to refur
bish the inside because we didn't think we

would be able to get a good price for the building. But, this little event made us
think again.

perhaps it made a mockery of everything he had ever said about the grace of Jesus.
Further reflection made me wonder

We had the building valued the other day at about $27,000. Unfortunately that will not buy us much land nor a very large
building, but it at least telis us that those
In the business think it will sell!
CURT

about my death. How would I choose to die? Can I say with another Paul "For me to live is Christ, to die is gain"?
CURT

EPISTLE FROM ENGLAND

Northwest Christian Church 1700 Anthony Drive

TUNBRIDCE WELLS MINISTRY

c/o<i<rdcn Colltie,
Slon< StrMl

Hon Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAIO

Champaign, IL 61820
U.S.A.

Tunbridgc Welli, Ktnl

TNI 2QT Enfland
HINCKLEY MINISTRY
1 Chncher Street

Penlt Ko. 286

Chaapalgn, 111.

Kinckley, Lcicnterehire LE 10 OAK England

ERDINGTON MINISTRY

144 (jravtlly LaiM Birmingham 823 6LT EnjUnd

WEST BROMWICH MINISTRY 25 Oxford Road

AMERJCAN CORRESPONDENTS

Wnt Bromwich.
Wnt Midlanda B70 8PE

Sharlotte Hay
Mission Services Box 427

Tim & Nancy Barber

03 Cutltcon

Enfland

Chitnptign, IL 61820
U-S-A.

Knoxville,

TN

379.

Epistle from England

. . . A report from ministries challenging a post- Christian nation with the claims of Christ.

P.O. ^ o

CkTunSBK. ffiS Vol.// Afo- f

A DECADE OF THE LORD'S PROVISION

Some things have changed greatly since five single people set out on a mission in 1973 with an average annual salary of $3,366. It cost $2.44 then to buy a British pound sterling compared with our lowest ever annyal average of $1.61 this year to purchase usable currency. The rate of exchange has tested our faith and increased our thankful ness through its many fluxuations. When we went to our local chippie in 1973, we paid $.50 for more fish and chips than we could eat out of its newspaper wrappings. We now pay about $1.30 for a similar por tion. In early 1974, we exhorted you to stop complaining about gasoline prices because ours were over $1 per US gallon. A year later, gasoline had jumped 50% to $1.49 with inflation roaring at 27%. The better exchange rate now disguises the 450% decade in crease of gasoline (and all these prices) to the present $2.37 per US gallon. Of course, the price of gasoline in those early days was not as important to us as the price of bus fares and shoe leather. Some of us still rely on the pretty good public trans portation system available in most parts of Britain. The highest car prices in Europe and a $130 annual car licensing fee (whether Rolls or banger) added to gasoline's cost make us rather more careful in using cars than our American counterparts. (Only 45% of households in the city of Birmingham own a car.) With the UK inflation rate down to around 5% now, a good exchange rate, and our incomes mainly up over last year, it has been a pretty good financial year for most of us. The figures on the back page still show quite a variation in provision for which one never knows how to account. I might surmise that the variations reveal responsibility levels of supporting churches, our own abilities to inspire confidence, and perhaps a bias toward married couples. (Our churches have yet to truly encourage the celibate or unmarried
ministry while other traditions have yet to encourage the married ministry.) On our end, they provoke the need to share resources for survival and the British churches' desire to help some in financial difficulties-quite helpful things really. Amidst a changing economic world, some things are constant. We are certain that the Lord has kept His promise to provide all our needs-and more. In ten years, these pages have never requested money and never intend to. Most of us have determined not to request money from anyone but God. And when you give, we give Him the major thanks and you, thanks for listening to Him. There is no credit to either of us. We have become partners in God's service and need no praise from each other-only thanksl In every area that we know, we've denounced deception or cunning methods to induce your giving. Our records are open to anyone who wants to see more. We are not super-servants. All of us are very aware of our failures in mission and ministry. I should think all of us have felt that at times we have wasted your money or been inadequate for the confidence you've placed in us. We probably won't get rich from the money you send us. But we are grateful for the richness of our experience of living in another culturewhere God must be found and communicated. In that way, we are very fortunate indeed. God has shaped our lives in such a way that we cannot but give Him thanks. We close our ledgers now for another year, remembering to give thanks to the God who cares for twelve Americans in Britain through you.
ROGER EDRINGTON

WHY DO THEY LEAVE?

Being involved in both the 10-13 year oid camp & the Teen camp (14-18
year olds) is just plain tiring-not to mention being extremely wearing on
the throat and voice box. But it Is also a

good time! There's a chance to play games and do dumb things you could
never get aw/ay w/ith back at home.
There are classes and discussions in a

very relaxed atmosphereand if you really listen you w/ill hear the same
basic things from both age groups:

"Why does God let awful things hap pen?" and "Why are church members
so stuck in their traditions?" Loaded questions.

With both these questions came the complaint that they could not get the
adult church members to listen to them

Not only did the campers throw water

at the staff, but, alas, the staff threw water at the staff! Here Shawn Machin

as they asked questions or made sug

gestions. The passage from Colossians 3.21 about parents not irritating their children lest they become discouraged came to my mind several times during these two camps. There were 32 campers In the 10-13 year old camp but only 13 In the Teen camp. Realiz ing there are many reasons why kids drop out of Sunday School, clubs and
church, I wonder just how many

of Hinckley Church of Christ emptys the mop bucket on mel Yuckl!

dropped out due to discouragement. Not being able to take the indifference they felt, they just decided not to bother anymore-anyway, where was the joy which was supposed to be a

part of Christians gathering together?

Through these years, emotions tend to rule pre-teen and teen thoughts more than logic. They need thoughtful, tender care if they are to be nourished and helped to grow into members and strong leaders of Christ's Church. Anyway, that's what I learned from camps this summer. Now I only pray
that 1 retain what I've learned and gain
wisdom from it.
GAIL

Some of the campers and staff at the

campfire.

\MP 1983 REPORT!

ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE DORM

NOT AGAIN!

Whenever I am asked to help at the

summer camps I always dread it. The late nights, sleepless nights, keeping a
dozen or more teens under control

makes me wonder why I ever said I

would help.

However, once camp starts (though there are still the sleepless nights) and

Camp memories probably are the greatest indication of what really got through to the campers. I must be hon
est - when I was a camper the biggest memories were the jokes, the funny sketches, the pranks, the camp ro mances - and the campfire times. !t is

I see young people wrestling with God,

I become excited. There is nothing

which brings more joy to me than see ing the reality of God descend upon someone. It happened again this year. But, as I see these young people

grow in their understanding of God I

face another fear. Since there are so

only as I got older that I saw deeper

benefits from the classes and dis
cussions that went on.

few teens who have made any type of committment to God, fellowship for
those who have is almost non-existent. And when that is combined with the

Well, ask any camper here about the bits they enjoyed most and it would be
the water balloon and squirt gun-cumbuckets-of-water fights; the funny sketches and seeing the staff doing

gap which exists between the teens and the older generation Christians in
the local church (as Gail implied in her

daft (silly) things; the pranks - even

those which misfired {or perhaps

article), it becomes very serious. I hurt for these people trying to follow Christ
in a difficult situation.

especially those which did misfire!);

the camp romances and crushes on the teen-age staff members; and the campfire times.

And yet, follow Jesus they do. Oh, they are not perfect saints (are any of
us?) and they still have much to learn. But their searching, hungering for righteousness was very encouraging. It was just a couple of days after

That last quiet event of the evening is sitting around a roaring (or not so roaring!) fire. Singing songs somehow sets an atmosphere which make us feel
closer to each other and more open to

listening to someone sharing the truths

of God. We allow "light" to shine on our "darkness." We want to keep that

camp when I heard that one of the young men was considering the mini stry. When you stop to realise that very
few Churches of Christ here can sup

port their own ministers, you see what

faith that is. I am sure that God will
honor faith of that nature.

warmth and good feeling, that glimpse

of God all the back do the dorm.

However, back at the dorm the mood

rapidly changes and chaos reigns and

for the while it will be the fun times of the camp that will be remembered.
JANET

Next year, if I am asked to help at camp, I wilt dread it. But once again
God will show me that He is bigger than the situation we find ourselves in.
CURT

"EVANGELISM & SIMPLER LIFESTYLE"

THE MONEY YOU GAVE

Fiscal Year

by Gladys M. Hunt

September 1982 to August 1983

RECEIPTS

"We can fund a great army of those who will preach the good news. Why Is the church of Jesus Christ allowing young people to Itinerate the length and breadth of the land with a tin cup, as it were, pleading for support to allow them the privilege of going to share the message? They have been trained; they are ready to go. What delays their going? They have not raised their sup port. Why isn't the church out looking for those who will go, ready with funds, already having prayed that the Lord
would send forth laborers?"

Erdington

Roger & Michelle Edrlngton

Tunbridge Wells
Gail Burns

$15,280

Rita Ide

Curt & Linda Nordhielm

West Bromwich

$ 6,275 $ 5,598 $17,546

Pete & Jan Bowen

Gift

(in

Living More Simply edited by

Ronald J. Sider)

$13,500 $ 1,300

HInckley
Janet Baines

$ 7,490

USA TEAM FUND (EPISTLE)

Balance September 1,1982 Receipts $1,051.73 Expenses $ 968.84 Balance August 31,1983
$ 622.46

Curt, Linda & Donnetta Nordheilm will

be In the USA from 10 October to 30

November. Friends or anyone wishing

to contact them may ring: 309-444-2113
or 219-762-2567.

$ 705.35

EPISTLE FROM ENGLAND Northwest Christian Church

TUNBRIDGE WELLS MINISTRY

Non Profit Org.

U.S. Postaoe PAID Pni1t Ko. 286

1700 Anthony Drive Champaign, IL 61820

U.S.A.

c/oGsrdtn Cottage.
Sion* Stre(

Tunbridge Wells. Kent TNI 2QT England

HINCKLEY MINISTRY
1 Chetaher Street

ChMpaIgn, 111.

Hinckley. Leicestershire

LE 10 OAH England
ERDINGTON MINISTRY

144 Gravelly Lane Birmingham B23 6LT

England

25 Oxford Road
AMERICAN CORRESPONDENTS

WEST BROMWICH MINISTRY^

West Bromwich.

MissloH Servicss
BOX

RSy

Tim & Nancy Barbr

603 Cu>lls(on

West Midlands B70 8PE

Chimpaifn, IL 61B20
U.S.A.

Knoxvllle, IN

379vl

'EB 2 0

Jl/OC

Epistle from England

. . . A report from ministries challenging a post- Christian nation with the claims of Christ.
ERDINGTON REPORT

(Birmingham)

November 1983 Vol. II. No. 2

/ have read far too many church newsletters in

Roger & Michille Edrington

the USA whose minister's columns and cute car toons incessantly speak of attendance. Atten

dance, attendance, attendance until it is coming through my eyeballs and out my ears. As one who had a nineteen year perfect attendance pin when / was twenty-one, / speak as an authority.
And yet, meeting together can be a problem. /
recently succumbed and wrote this article for our

monthly newsletter/ "Shalom", but please note that it is in the larger context of THE WHOLE. When a baby is formed, it is from two cells. These cells divide and subdivide and add on new cells which eventually become other parts of the body. The body continues to reproduce itself until the day it dies. And it always functions-no matter how tiny or large--as a whole body. The parts are not
capable of functioning in isolation.

This is also true in the church. The church is one organism and must function as a whole. The

church is not the leaders gathering together, it is not a few people relating deeply to one another. It is not the acts of service or evangelism which we do. THE CHURCH IS THE WHOLE. Sometimes I hear people talking as if they can be committed to a few individuals and that is their commitment to the church. Actually, that is commitment to a few of the parts-the healing, serving, caring for a few that is absolutely essential-but is only of utmost value as it relates to the whole.
Our acts and individual commitments probably will be of great aid to the whole, but may, in fact, work against the goals of the whole.

For example, my stomach almost always wants the comfort and care which feeding brings. But to listen to its exaggerated needs is to make my body big and sluggish so that is doesn't work very
well. However, if my stomach would get his needs in touch with the goals of the whole, I would be a
much more comfortable and able person.

The whole is very difficult to work out in the practice of the church because the parts of a church-ussometimes seem to work easier in isolation or smaller groups, where the whole is forgotten or reduced to those who see like t do. Eventually, the direction of the whole gets lost. The individual trees are so close that they blur our vision of the forest. We need to step back to see the whole. The very practical and observable expressions of the whole are our Sunday morning meetings with various "sub-whole" meetings like Share 'n Care, Bible Study, Ladies Meeting, etc. Many of us seem to be neglecting the Sunday morning "Whole Meetings" lately-perhaps for a variety of
reasons.

I think that we are all aware, however, that we don't feel "all together there" when people do not come to that expression of communion/worship/prayer/teaching. And that begins that downward

spiral of others thinking that it is not really important either. And so, some come one Sunday and
others come another. The whole is never together. You know the rest

Some might say,"If the service was better, people would come all the time." There is some truth
in that, but what each of means by better is different. We shall have to sacrifice a number of our personal preferences, even "spiritual preferences" for the sake of the whole. But even better, if we can get real participation of the parts into the whole, we shall truly have a situation where THE
WHOLE IS GREATER THAN THE SUM OF THE PARTS.

TUNBRIDGE WELLS REPORT (Kent)

States in regard to their relationship and

help do they find? Where are their

Let's do a comparison: between teenagers of Britain and teenagers of the

y'nda^ordhiel

Where do they fit in? What kind of

Curt Nordhieln
Donetta Nordhi
Rita Ide

friends? What encouragement do they

receive? What are some of the social factors which affect their involvement

jR Gail Burns

church? There will be difficulty due to

cultural differences. But I wish to show a

problem wich we have that you might not have recognized in your church. in a church as small as ours the problems are magnified making them easier to see. Our teen

agers come from non-Christian families so they very seldom find encouragement from parents to
continue to learn of God. They receive no or very little teaching at home. Their friends are nonChristians. Because it is so small, the church has no companions for them within the church. Their non-Christian friends go to the pubs and walk the streets looking for the opposite sex. And

at this age getting to know the other sex is an important relationship building process, ft is hard
going on their own.

The generation gap is evident. The older people who have been in the church for a long time don't know how to relate to these non-Christian teenagers who don't understand them either. The older ones have forgotten or never knew these problems. They try to put the young people into a pre-set mold. The teenagers say 'Why? Why must we do this or that to be part of the church?" It is hard for the youth to see much relevance in the church to the problems they see. How is it with your church? Most of your young people come from Christian families. They may get teaching at home & receive encouragement to go to church. It is usually big enough that they have several of their own age group with whom to relate and share. They can have fun with Christian friends, which relieves some of need for non-Christian influence. They can build their relationships within the church instead of on the street. Since they grow up in the Christian atmosphere, they have less change to make to fit that mold which has developed in the older members. The teenagers also have comfort in numbers to give them support in their
This Is by know means an in-depth comparison. And in reference to the churches in the States, it can only be a generality. But even with this, let me ask some questions. Do you have so mahy ChristIan families and teenagers to mix together that you forget those non-Christians who are without Christian partents to encourage them? Do they get lost in the crowd of unreachables because it is so hard to Integrate them? Do they have to fit a mold to belong? Do they find their questions answered in the church? Do those not raised within a Christian atmosphere find it impossible to relate to those who have known nothing but a Christian atmosphere? Just a bit of food for thought.
RITA

P.S. What brought this on? We have just started a new teens study group for our four young peoplel

When you are running a race it's good,to have a goal-either immediate (the 500 yard
dash finishing line), long range (training for
the London marathon), or a constant challenge

(getting up at 6 a.m. to jogso the flab doesn't catch up with you). Ifthere is not a goal, then
the heart goes right put of the race. I could make any number of "great" obser
vations from this, however, I only want to

76

relate one significant happening in the church which took place in the middle of September:
The Church Goal Meeting.

OA tUc

Last year we set goals for all areas of the church program. This year we wanted to evalu ate and reset last year's goals i.e., to see what had changed and what needs to be changed. The goals for children's clubs, Bible studies, and working with contacts were reached. The

goals for Sunday School, the Ladies meeting, and organizing committees weren't quite reached. And other goals just were not applicable-because God chose to work in a com

pletely different way from what we had in

mindl

This year we set goals In most of the same areas as last year, but we also added a few,
some of which wi|l be difficult to meet. But we

general).

The heart will not go out of our race because

we know the race to be more than worth it~and

need goals. We need to have something to set

our sites on rather than the nebulous: "Help the church grow."

oh, the prize for finishing I

GAIL

On the whole, everyone had the general atti

tude of wanting the goals and seeding growth.

At the same time, around the fringes of the

"desiring growth" were volatile feelings towards change. Change within a firmly esta

blished way of doing things or in most cases, of not doing things, almost always causes dis
comfort and unease. Yet, goals were seen as

(Erdington continued)

needed by the whole church membership.

And so at the end of the day, when discuss

Our problem, of course, is a common one

ions were finished, the closing chorus of the service of commitment was sung, the lunch containers washed and ready to go home,

that had origins very early in the church of

Jesus Christ. The writer of Hebrews encour

there were goals set and offering their chall enge. We have goals that have an immediate
effect (establishing clubs, visiting parents, re-

aged those who are giving up the "whole habit": "Let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but let us
encourage one another-and all the more as

juvinating the Sisters Committee); we have goals that are long range (Bible studies with
contacts, making new contacts, building up memberships in clubs, ladies meetings and Sunday School, and begin a church building fund); and we made goals to keep us from get ting flabby and unable to hear what God is say ing to us (Church Biblestudies, fellowshipping
with other churches, church socials and be

you see the day approaching." (10.25)

Some of us perhaps have a fear of legalism,

so we don't want to say too much. But If we follow the biblical precedent when others are

beginning to neglect the meetings of the whole, we can with confidence encourage one another. I think that we will be surprised what God will do in our meetings when we are there
regularly as a WHOLE family.
ROGER

coming better known in Tunbridge Wells in

TO BE OR NOT TO BE A HYPOCRITE
HINCKLEY

"J.B., I'm so bad." Jonathan Payne (18) was worried about being baptized and then failing. "1 don't want to be a hypocrite."
Jonathan had a realistic view of his weak ness, his sin, his need for God. What was not

Janet Baines

in perspective was the grace of God and just

what is really hypocrisy.

I talked to Jonathan, who had been going through studies with our previous minister, Tony Calvert, for quite some time, telling him as long as he recognized his sin in the light of his need for God, he would never be a hypo crite. A hypocrite is self-righteous, his 'reli
gion' is all mapped out, his 'God' is in a box. He must work and strive and at all costs he must never let himself look inwardly and be faced with his sins, weaknesses, and failures because then he would have to admit that he can never earn God's approval. He would have
TO SERVE OR NOT TO SERVE

Since Tony left, we have depended heavily

on guest ministers to fill the gaps he left. When plans were being made for the bap

to let go of his religion and begin developing a

relationship with God. I pointed out the Phari sees of Jesus day - their religion was flawless,

tism, we contacted Bob Hartman from nearby

Leicester. First we had it planned for the Sun day, but at the last minute Bob was unable to

but their self-righteousness meant they hated

Jesus and what he said. Then I showed Jonathan

get away from church. So we planned It for the

Wednesday fellowship. Wednesday morning

we heard that Bob was very ill with flu and
couldn't make it.

what Paul ahd to say in Ro mans 6, 7, & 8. All about dy ing and no longer being a member of Satan's party, about grace and the struggle
between our flesh and our

I sat down and thought about the people In

our church. We had a few of Jonathan's mates

(friends) involved in the service, but who could

baptise him? That's when I thought of Eddie

Payne (no relation to Jonathanl) Ed has been a

spirit and about the forgive

ness and life in Jesus. Jonathan understood he

member of our church for a few years, along with his wife Jane. He is a quiet, humorous, and gentle man, but not a public speaker. I

rang him up and said, "If 1do the talking, will

you do the baptizing?" He said, "Well, why
not!" And he did.

could go to God with all of himself and kno\*'

that God had already provided for his need through Jesus. Jonathan was baptised at our Wednesday evening church fellowship-what better reason to gather together! We have a lovely, humble new brotherl
JANET EPISTLE FROM ENGLAND Northwest Christian Church

It awakened me to the fact that we have to be aware of areas where each of us can serve.

We see the areas and let God fill them where

and how He will-minister or no minister!
JANET

Non Profit Org.

TUNBRIDGE WELLS MINISTRY
13 St. James Park

1700 Anthony Drive Champaign, IL 61820

U.S.A.

U.S. Posta9e
PAID Peralt No.

Tunbridge Wells, Kent

TN1 2LG

England
HINCKLEY MINISTRY
49 Clarendon Road

Chmpslgn, Ml.

Hinckley, Leics,
LE10 0PJ

England
EFtDINGTON MINISTRY

144 Gravelly Larte

Erdington, Birminghain
B23 6LT

England
WESTBROMWICH
25 Oxford Road

AMERICAN COHnESPONDENTS
Tim & Nsncv Barber
603 Castleton

West Bromwich, West Midlands

870 BPE

Chsmpaisn. IL 61820
U.S.A.

England

Sharlolte Ray
Missijn Box 2427 Services

KnjxvlIIe, IN

379s^i

Epistle from England

. . . A report from ministries challenging a post- Christian nation with the claims of Christ.
DECEMBER 1983 VOL. 11 NO. 3

THE BABY ISTHE PROOF

"This day in David's town your Saviour was born - Christ the Lord! What will prove it to

you is this: You will find a baby wrapped in

clothes and lying in a manger." Luke 2:11-12

He came down to earth from Heaven, Who is God and Lord of all.
Veiled in flesh the God head see!

It is not true if you assess the claims with the words and ways of men. If you begin with the human end with humanity not divinity. Anthropological confidence does not lead to theological certainity. How can human scales weigh God? And how can our foot-rules
measure the Ruler of All?

We live in a world turned in on itself and

therefore in darkness: a darkness all the more

Hail the Incarnate Deityl He is Alph and Omega He the source, the ending He. Carols often make very clear uncompromis

intense because it is seen as enlightenment. How can this darkness illuminate a Heavenly light? We live in a wolrd where our wisdom, not our insanity or evil, plans total destruction

in order to preserve Peace. How can this

wisdom validate the Prince of Peace who

ing claims for the Baby of Bethlehem. No identity problem exists for the writers of carols
as they seek to identify the baby Jesus.
He is God and Lord of all.

passeth all understanding? Can impurity test purity? Can injustice measure justice? and
untruth truth?

Light can expect no support from darkness. Darkness cannot prove light; its whole nature is to overcome the light. The light can only
shine in the darkness. It is its own and only

He is the Godhead

He He He He

is Incarnate Deity is Alpha and Omega is the source, the ending He. is the King of all Creation

proof.

This very day in David's town your Saviour

was born - Christ the LordI What will prove it

to you is this: You will find a baby wrapped in

clothes and lying in a manger.

He is "the maker of the earth and sea become a little child for me."

The claims made in the carols are no greater

than those made in the Bible and in the creeds.
The Bible witnesses to Him who is the Word

A baby in a manger is the proof. A child lying in clothes somehow validates the great
est claim ever made: that God had become

man. The world laughs - inevitably, and con

demns such a statement as nonsensical, irra

by whom all things are made. He is the water of life, the breath of life, the resurrection and

tional, dangerously subjective. The world

which calls always for evidence and for many witnesses, thereby confirming its own expecta tion of falsity, can offer no proof of this child

the life. He is the way, the truth, the light of

the world. Through Him a new creation is coming into being: a new Heaven and a new earth. The Son of God, the Son of Man is at

work in cosmic renewal. He will bring an end

of weeping and warfare. He will introduce the

Peace which passeth all understanding and

will give us life for evermore.

and if it could the proof would be "unproof. A God proved by the world's proof would be an idol. The world can only prove the worldly. All proof has to begin with something true.
Proof of the Truth can only begin with the
Truth Himself.

These are great claims: none could be

greater for they claim that he is the Lord

The Carols, the creeds and the scriptures

Almighty. But then the inevitable: "And is it true? And is it true? This most tremendous tale of all?" We Inevitably ask, is it true?

point to Jesus the Truth and in doing so they

(continued on page 2}

TUNBRIDGE WELLS REPORT (Kent)

<L*n (o hfhll

2 CORINTHIANS 2:17

Linda Nordhielm Curt Nordhielm Doneita Nordhielm Gail Bums Rita Ide

"Preachers make good insurance salesmen after they leave the ministry." Ever hear that? Think It must have something to do with ser mon deliveries, Bible studies and board
meetings.

SIX MILES
FOR

one Bible study. Hard facts, fast, convincing

the "sales job" does not belong in the one-to-

However, I am very quickly realizing that

"HELP THE HANDICAPPED HOLIDAY FUND"

the place of careful listening, and relating Biblical truth to a person's life (Christianity Is
practical!). Bible studies are as individual as
the individual.

talking and a routine delivery can never take

Exciting. Long and dangerous.

Rivers, locks and sluices.
Fun.

Exhausting and wearing.

Children, adults and a mom.

process Is slow, but rushing her is no good.

the same topic, is essential. . . .

Karen is studying with me once a week. She has a belief in God, but because she is not a thinking person, she has trouble assimilat ing new facts (especially if It clashes with something she already has firmly in her mind-christening/baptlsm for instance). The

Misty.

Time and much more discussion, often over For It still remains, I am not a salesman I
cannot "sell" her Christ.
GAIL

Beautiful and tranquil. Cows, pheasants and a mink. Crazy. Purposeful and relaxing.
Trees, fields and fishermen.
RITA

(continued from front page)

echo the voices of the angels. He who is the

N
MAY YOU HEAR THE BABY'S BELLS THIS CHRISTMAS.

of Truth is also the beginning of proof Includ ing the proof of Himself. All that light can do to darkness is to shine in It. Only the Child can
prove the Child.

that we begin with Him. Jesus the beginning

beginning and the end of all things demands

So we follow the angels bidding and follow the shepherds to Bethlehem, to the child who is God and Lord of all - who measures us and finds us wanting, who proves us needful and living In darkness, but offers us all He Is and has. He justifies us our unjustice and validates

our invalidity. This child can expect no proof.

He can only ring bells. Dr. Dan Beeby, Principal
St. Andrews Hall

Love,

Your friends In Ministry in England

Selly Oak Colleges,

Birmingham

ERDINGTON REPORT

LIVING IN THE CHANGE

(Birmingham)

My life seems to change constantly. Once I get things sorted out and organized and stable and settled. I'm called to move on. This is part of
what it is to be children of Abraham, a pilgrim people.

Even my most certain plans change. What was a true picture of my plans yesterday is not true today. Perhaps James' words about making

plans are important here. Over a year ago, I began considering being a part of a soon-to-form team ministry of mainly British Christians who would be involved in a variety of evangelism and church planting ministries in our city. I was

drawn to it as good news to my heart, the others in the team ministry

thought it right, my church leaders confirmed that it seemed God's will

m* h ll

church in March, 1983 when many received the news that it was right,
even though it left them in a very vulnerable position without a minister.

both for me and the church, so plans were put in motion. I told our whole

Edrington

In June after a series of events too difficult to explain, the team ministry felt it was impossible at that time to carry through the plans to come together for ministry and so made individual plans to go In other directions. Although there was no other conclusions, this made me very sad as I had very much wanted to be in team ministry again. It was the basis on which God had called me to England
and I saw it as an opening to return. But it was now impossible!

I was in a difficult situation. I found myself committed to leave our Erdington church yet I was
without another ministry. Since most of our churhces in Britlan have no minister, there was no shortage of localities in which to minister, but I had no call from God to either seek out churches or

to wait for them to seek me. Something else was staring me in the face. When I began with the team ministry in Erdington seven years ago, I also began a reserach on

"Verities of Popular Unbelief in Erdington." I wanted to be sure that we were understanding the audience to whom our message was being proclaimed and I felt that organized research into the
minds and hearts of unbelievers could help.

It was part-time study, and as often happens, it became a smaller and smaller part. The ministry
and the rest of my life always seemed to dominate and there was little time ( and sometimes inclina

tion) to do the study. As the team ministry came up, I considered dropping the study. The thesis seemed like a lot of hard work! But I could never quite give It up-there was always a nagging cer tainty that God had got me in this research and so he would get me through It. It seemed that the time span ahead could be the opportunity I needed to spend a year or so full time on my research. I mentioned this at an open meeting of our congregation here. They surprised me with their overwhelming support that 1should do research. "After ten years in mission here, you
need the input for yourself and future ministry," was one of the comments. When we were in the USA this summer, I opened the idea to our supporting congregations. I could not nor would not do it without their approval. Their ideas have always been important in my consideration of God's will for my life and mission. Although there were no official church responses, the people who did respond gave me encouragement to go ahead. They were behind the research and confirmed what I suspected was the will of God.

So 1984 Is an ominous year for me as I move into full-time research on a thesis, analyzing the beliefs and lack thereof In ordinary British people and hoping that it will lead to the Ph.D. degree in
theology at the University of Birmingham. There is a certain amount of fear in me. Will I be able to

deliver the goods? What will it be like to study full time after so long a break? How will my life change? Will I survive without a ministry rooted in a local congregation? But faith is the overcomer of fear and my foundation is that God will provide the ways and
means-as he has always done for me in the past, as well as for countless others.

What happens after this is open. God rarely gives me more than one step at a time and I am determined to walk in His path as He reveals the way. Our church here also has its path to walk. It will not be easy. We have lost a few families who we were counting on to be vitally involved in the core of the church. The timing seems to human eyes
very poor, but faith continues to look at God rather than the situation.
ROGER

SOME OF THE HILLS ARE ALIVE! WEST BROMWICH REPORT

During our recent trip to the States Jan and I

were excited to receive news of response to the gospel back here in West Bromwich. On our
return it was confirmed that both VALERIE

(West Midlands)
Pete & Jan Bowen and Gareth

HILL and her daughter JOY (14) had been bap

tised into Christ.

Joy and her sister Kim had attended meet ings since the Fall of 1980 shortly after the work here began. Their mother, Val, began attending after being invited to the children's
Christmas party that year.

Kim gave her life to the Lord in the Spring of

1981 but both Joy and Val have hesitated for a

long time. Recently they came under convic

AN OLDER NEW CREATION JOINS US!

tion to not keep putting off a response to

Christ.

lain is married with four children. He has been a Christian for a long time and has had a rich and varied experience in Christ. Part of

this experience has been being the minister of

a church for seven years.

Having read some of the writings of the Campbells, lain wondered if there where any churches stiil in existence who held to their ideals. After making some enquiries, he met
some leaders in our churches and over a year

Having talked with Valerie this week it was very evident that here indeed was a "new crea tion". Her questioning and eagerness to talk about the Lord were evidence of her hunger for God and desire to go on with Him. From what I heard the meeting at which they were baptized was quite an occasion. Having no building of our own it was arranged to use the baptistry of one of our Birmingham
churches. At the same time another of our sis

ago began to attend the West Bromwich

church as this was the nearest to where he
lived.

ter congregations at Redditch (south of Bir mingham) had three people ready for baptism but they, like us, have no building. So it was on a joyous Sunday afternoon that
the Great Francis Street Church building was

lain had recently placed his membership with us and we expect his wife, Janet, will be doing so soon. Though lain has other ministry
commitments that take him preaching to many churches in the West Midlands area, we will

packed to see five people responding to

Christ's call on their lives and being baptized. Alt of the Hill family were present and our

prayer is that Reg (Val's husband) and the

rest of the family will be drawn to our Lord Jesus as they see Him more and more revealed in the lives of Val, Joy and Kim.
PETE

certainly appreciate the contribution he and his family will make when they are able to be
with us.

PETE

EPISTLE FROM ENGLAND

Northwest Christian Church

1700 Anthony Drive Champaign, IL 61820

U.S.A.

TUNBRIDGE WELLS MINISTRY

13 St. JatDes Park

Non Profit Orj. U.S. Postage

PAID

Tunbridge Wells, Kent

TNI2LG

Pemlt No. 286

England HINCKLEY MINISTRY 49 Clarendon Road

ChiMpiIgn, 111.

r
Tim & Nancv Barber
603 Castleton

Hlncklev, Leics.
LE10 0PJ

Md

England EROINGTON MINISTRY

144 Gravelly Lane

Erclin9(on. Birmingham
B236LT

England
WEST BROMWICH 25 Oxford Road West Bromwich, West Midlands B70 8PE

AMERICAN CORRESPONDENTS Champaign. IL 61820

U.S.A.

Sharlotte Ray MisslDn Services

Bo* 2427

England

Knoxville, TN
RETURN REQUESTED

37901