What A Privilege

To stand before the throne of grace - what a privilege.

To stand before a King so rich in power and beauty, in love and grace is something reserved only for the elite. Only those beyond reproach in every way may come to enjoy the startlingly set-apart presence of the King of Ages.

In His presence there cannot be, must not be, any sort of blemish or fault - for He is perfect and His glory will not be diminished. In fact, we know His rule and power is constantly increasing. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. What a ruler - you can see He is good even from this distance. His beauty and glory speak of His authority and goodness.

But as I look down I see that my garments are filthy - not with just a blotch of dirt, but completely marred with the fatigue and rawness of what it is to be essentially... human. Dare we enter into the presence of someone so mighty - dare we (even if we could) diminish His glory by bringing my dirty self into His beautiful presence?

I realise I am disqualified. But then I hear an invitation coming from the throne - the invitation to approach. To no longer observe from a distance, but to come up close. But still the problem remains. How can I enter into the presence of someone so immense, in my condition? Then I hear the assurance "I will wash you."

I want to die right there. What could be more mortifying than having a King this majestic washing someone like me? The struggle continues but then I decide that the promise of closeness to the King is too compelling to refuse, whether that means making a public display or not.

But as I step over the treshold of His presence... everything changes. I feel like I've had blinkers removed. I see the full consequences of my dirtiness. But again I look down and see beautiful white. I don't really know how it happened. I've changed. Probably at cost to the King - new garments cost something. But all I know is that He beckoned me, I stepped into it and he made up the difference between my being able to enter in and not. He did it. Yes, I guess I took a step. But even then, though I knew I wanted to approach, I also knew I was disqualified. I didn't know how I could enter, I just knew I wanted to. It was He who made the difference.

Now, when people remind me of how dirty I used to be, I don't get defensive. I know that it gives glory to this King to see the change in me. After all, He did it, not me. And the way I was doesn't disqualify me. I can come just as I am, and each time I add another stain to my whiteness, He removes it so I can come close. Closeness to the King is the best thing there is. Nothing tops it. To be close to someone so magnificent - what a privilege. And to know that He made it possible - what a debt.

Winchester Family Church: History In The Making (3)

Winchester Family Church has never been in debt to a bank or other lending organisation. By God's awesome grace (as we have already seen here and here) He has consistently provided for us. Tomorrow will be another "that day" in the life of our church. But let's continue the story from where we left off:

In the ten years since WFC first gained access to the Middle Brook Centre (as we renamed it) both the church and the building went through several changes. We sent one of our elders, Guy Miller, to lead the Newfrontiers church in Bournemouth. And a number of years later Greg Haslam was also called away, to lead Westminster Chapel in central London. Though it was sad to say goodbye in each case, we received the moves with faith. God spoke to John Groves (then leading King's Church Hastings) about receiving the baton from Greg and he came and established a new leadership team.

And while the church changed, so did the building. It got a new roof, and the layout was changed to provide classrooms. Just as it once had to make the change from cinema to bingo hall, so it transitioned from bingo hall to the home of a church. But although many changes had been made, the same (uniquely-styled) carpet was there and there was much that needed doing.

In 2006 the leaders felt faith to have a season out of the Middle Brook Centre (MBC) so that the job could be finished. It would cost well in excess of £1,000,000. So we relocated to the city Guildhall and over the last few months the church has been "camping". And, needless to say, God has provided for us miraculously. When Winchester Family Church move back into the finally-finished Middle Brook Centre after ten years of waiting, it will once again be debt-free. What an amazing testimony to the provision of our awesome God.

Winchester Family Church: History In The Making (2)

In the last History In The Making post I wrote about Winchester Family Church, I took an extract from "Things Are Different Now: A Short History Of Winchester Family Church". This post follows the story: God had led the church to consider the Bingo Hall in Winchester city centre and to help us on the journey here again is Reg Hall:

"
THAT DAY!

Another special day in the history of the church was 8th December 1996. It was the gift day - and clearly the response would be indicative of how real our commitment was to the vision set out before us and so enthusiastically received. Negotiations has significantly reduced the price from the seven-figure sum originally sought by the owners. In the evening we waited patiently while the evening offering was counted and the totals checked. A great quiet came upon the gathering as the report was handed to the elders. Greg announced the figures and then... gasps of wonder and of astonishment and then spontaneous praise.

AMAZING - £780,793.63 -

(seven hundred and eighty thousand pounds)!

Tremendous - previous gift days had realised about one tenth of this unparalleld offering - which ultimatley would allow us to purchase the building outright - debt free again!

God is so good! HALLELUJAH!

"

The number of church members was around 200. Where the money came from was baffling: even by UK standards we are not a rich church! That day was highly significant for the Wood family too - we weren't a part of Winchester Family Church, but when, six months later, the church held its first Sunday morning gathering in the venue, my parents were invited to go along. We stayed. I was twelve years old.

Winchester Family Church: History In The Making (1)

I have been a part of Winchester Family Church for almost ten years (since the summer of 1997). Very shortly none of the churches I currently call home will remain being so, as I move to be a part of Life Church Southampton. As my time as a member of WFC enters its final few weeks I'd like to share some "history in the making". This first post is an extract from "Things Are Different Now: A Short History Of Winchester Family Church" by Reg Hall who served as an elder of the church for 19 years up until 2003.

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Double & Double Again

The church was ready in 1996 to embrace the Lord's will - whatever that was - as we confidently expected more significant growth. Greg [Haslam] had told how he had received from the Lord in September 1994 that we would double and double again. Wendy Virgo had said in November 1994 that she saw a large sailing ship with a happy crew and that as the time passed people disembarked to plant the flag of the kingdom.

In February 1995 Lee LaCrosse prophesying in the church said that we would double and double again and that we should go into the heart of the city and re-open a buried ancient well of spiritual influence in this city repenting of the sins of the forefathers and of the unbelief of the forefathers. We were going to re-open an ancient well of blessing in the heart of this city, that would flood the city and beyond.

Guy Miller also said in February 1995 that he saw a picture like the M25 orbital road running around London but this was around Winchester. The road was log-jammed in both directions and the traffic was not moving. He heard a voice saying "Come off the motorway and head to the centre." He knew the objections would be that all the traffic lights would be red causing delays but as he looked he saw that all the traffic lights were green and God was encouraging us to move into the city centre where he had a building for us.

Sam Poe from St Louis, Missouri had also spoken about being enlarged and the importance of building a strong base from which people would move out and come back having spoken into difficult situations.

In May 1995 David Stroud [then at Birmingham] had said now was the time for Greg to share the vision. "I will sprinkle seeds of faith in their hearts and they will carry them into the future."

In June 1995 Ben Davies [Bracknell] said "don't cut your coat according to your cloth" meaning don't limit yourself according to what you have at the time [Ben had pronounced the Stanmore Lane building as too small when he first saw it - and he was right!].

In February 1996 Guy [Miller, then an elder at WFC] Guy got really excited [and so did we when we heard about it afterwards]. Alan Found, a Newfrontiers leader from Devon, whom we did not know personally, prophesied over Guy "you will build a tower at the centre of the city and I will give you prominence for I have many people in this city [remember Guy's word in February 1995 and the church motto text of 1982 (Acts 18:10) which was a verse held in our hearts - very precious - very precious]. You will be a big landmark as big a landmark as the Cathedral in this city and all the people who drive through the centre of your city will go past and know that God is in this city. And you together with the other churches you work with will be a blessing to many. Don't think this is just to double and double again for you must remain flexible to all I will do because it will be way beyond what you can see or imagine!"

In May 1996 Alun Davies said "I see enlargement coming - enlargement - it's enormous." In November1996 when Greg was in America Ron Johnson and his elders praying for him used this much worked phrase - double and double again.

These prophetic words - and others similar in nature - supported by additional data concerning planning approval and positive progress in our financial negotiations made a deep impression upon everyone. The elders encouraged the church to set their sights on the Bingo Hall believing this was God's provision for us and this was enthusiastically received. However, there were still some major difficulties particularly in the financial area. Consider the facts - our general fund was overdrawn on the year and we had already agreed a programme of alterations to the former Manse consting in excess of £20,000. Anything but promising humanly speaking but God...

"

Attribute 40: He Heals

From a simple reading of the gospels, perhaps this is one of Jesus' most obvious attributes. Over and over again He healed those who came to Him and made well those who were hurting.

And He is still doing the same thing today. Just take a look at the Bible: can you find any reference in there to Jesus' healing power suddenly coming to an end? In fact, He promised the exact opposite - that we would do greater things!

Every time we approach the throne of grace in worship, or in putting ourselves under good teaching, we can be expectant that Jesus will still be at work healing the sick and transforming hearts, as much as He ever was.

And that's what we'll be building on at Meet Jesus on Sunday 18th March. Newfrontiers in the North are adopting the successful model of Front Edge, pioneered by Lex Loizides in South Africa. Steve Hurd from York City Church will be with us at City Church on that Sunday morning and Chris Kilby (who will lead the new Newfrontiers church in central Southampton) will be in Bolton. We're confident that Jesus' saving and healing power will be exercised just as it ever was when He was on earth.

Sheffield Union Elections

On Thursday evening, my three friends Mark, Pete and Matt were elected to Sheffield Union officer positions for 07/08. From June they will be Union President, Finance Officer and Activities Officer respectively.

It has been amazing to watch each of them work really hard and put on a great campaign - I am so pleased it has all paid off.

I've decided not to write here about the most amazing thing about their being elected. If you would like to know more, I'd encourage you to leave a comment with your email address and I'll forward you a post I put together but didn't publish.

I've known each of these guys for two and a half years and they're going to do a great job. Their being elected is highly significant!