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Letter from the minister
Dear friends,
As you know I have
been called by the congregation of Main Street Presbyterian Church, of
My own weaknesses are well known and I will not labour them here except to beg your pardon for any lack in my service to you. But I do want to take this time to say first that it has been my greatest privilege and joy to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ week by week to you all.
Amidst the challenges, disappointments and stresses of daily life and Christian service I have consistently met God in the proclamation of the gospel, been humbled by his Word, and challenged to love him more and more. I feel as though, if no-one else in LCPC benefited at all from my preaching, at least the Lord has dealt with me in the preaching of the word and taught me much, and for that opportunity I am more grateful to you all than you can know.
The great burden of my preaching, and of my heart still, is that every Christian should understand the gospel clearly and know that not only was it God’s means for their conversion but it remains his power for their holiness too: that the gospel is the source of joy and peace; the fuel for service and witness; the motive for praise and prayer. My hope for LCPC is, therefore, that the Lord might provide a minister of the Word who will build on that emphasis and communicate its truth still more clearly than I have done.
Let me also beg your pardon for any of the deficiencies of my preaching. Doubtless in a congregation as diverse as ours there will be details of emphasis and style, subject matter and communication technique, language and length that will fail to minister equally effectively to all. But the limitations of a pastor, while grieving this pastors heart, are designed to teach us that no-one but our Saviour alone can supply the spiritual need in precisely the balance and dosage we need it. In light of that, I pray that you will use my weaknesses to move you towards the One who has none, but who can perfectly supply yours from his unending stores of grace.
I also want to say what a delight it has been to serve in a congregation with such an obvious appreciation for the international character of the kingdom of God. In one conversation I had with a pastor from a ‘church’ that cherished a racist agenda I thrilled to be able to tell him of our Communion times, when people from different cultures and language groups, with different skin colours and social backgrounds sit shoulder to shoulder and drink from the same cup. To him that was unthinkable. To me it was heaven glimpsed on earth. I will remain forever thankful to God for those precious memories, which will never be forgotten, and only eclipsed one day by the real thing of which those communion times are but foretastes.
In the years I have been with you we have seen the ministry among South Africans develop and that has been another of the great highlights of my time here. I want to take this chance to pay tribute to Kruger de Kock for his tireless labours for the Saviour, his dedicated service both to LCPC, and now also to Canada Water Church, and, speaking personally, for his steadfast friendship and support. Kruger has been a constant example and challenge to me of a man consumed with a desire to do all he can for the advancement of the Kingdom.
And I want to pay equal tribute to the members of LCPC who prayed, gave, and put up with the ministers and elders of LCPC as we worked out what, how, when and where to build that important ministry. Your quiet support and willingness to see this ministry grow has given scope
Prayer Points
* Many members involved in Free Church Camps and Eastern Europe for Christ Camps
* Alex MacDonald, new convener of Home Missions Board.
* Christianity Explored Restarting 25 September
* New Students coming to Edinburgh especially international students
* Planned Mission trip to South Africa June 2009
* Youth Fellowship for late high school and University young people (recently restarted)
Rev Bob Akroyd
responsible for the function of the Church. The congregation and the office-bearers must understand themselves as mutual servants, together serving Christ. A Church in which the Sessions and the congregation do not work organically together has a serious health problem to tackle.
We have a peculiar KS in LCPC: We have five elders (including two ministers), who are geographically spread around London and further afield. The average age of the Session is comparatively low and the KS has changed more than half of its members in less than 3 years. Also, our LCPC is different from other Free Churches up in Scotland: Our location in the City, the busy lifestyle, members that live in London for a short period and other points make it a different setting for our ministry here. We have renovated almost half of our members in five years as well. Together, we have our own difficulties to fight. They cannot be used as excuses, but they make it more difficult to develop a long term plan for our Congregation. It does not mean that the ministry of the Church and its KS is impossible, but it is complex in a different way.
As any other ministry in the Church, the KS needs our prayers to work as a loving and humble council. The elders also need to be cared for and as a Church we must pray and act for that as well. We are all part of the same unity, depending on one another to grow in faith. The old, harmful “top-down” model of administration does not fit with our reality. The organic model of co-workers of the Kingdom is the right one. The KS does not lead the Church imposing authority, but by wisdom and example. The church does not respond because of tradition, but motivated by true service. If love is removed from this equation, we fall short of God’s purpose.
We are passing through another distinctive moment in the life of our congregation. We must hold together and withstand the spiritual forces that will try to pull us apart. Resisting together the Body will grow stronger and will be more and more equipped to advance the Kingdom of God. Pray that God would bless our KS with the wisdom and maturity necessary to lead a healthy Church in the Sound Doctrine. Pray that our Church would respond with zeal and excitement for the work. And pray that we fit nicely together for the benefit of us all and for the glory of Lord Jesus.
Gustavo Assi
Presbytery Roundup - Introducing Buccleuch Free Church
Buccleuch is situated near the historic University of Edinburgh. Over the years Buccleuch has had a considerable ministry among students (freshers, undergraduates, post-graduates and internationals) and young people. We have regular International meals and Forum (a Sunday evening gathering for fellowship and discussion). Buccleuch is also a family-oriented church with Sunday school and youth fellowship. In partnership with Bethany Christian Trust, Buccleuch has a long-standing outreach ministry within our community and among homeless and other disadvantaged people. We regularly run Christianity Explored and Discipleship Explored courses to discuss the Christian faith in an informal setting. Each new course brings new people into contact with the church and the gospel. We have seen some conversions and a great amount of interest from Chinese post-graduate students. Our website has recently been revamped, you can check it out at www.buccleuchfreechurch.co.uk If you are ever visiting Edinburgh over a weekend please come and visit, you would be most welcome!
The congregation has about 110 members and the average attendance in the morning is 140, evening 80 and Wednesday night 30.
for a new congregation of Christ’s church to be born. It has taken almost the whole period of my ministry here to bring it to birth, but on the 13th of this month LCPC will become the proud parents of a daughter church. That ought to be a source of deepest satisfaction for all of us who love the cause of Christ. We now have two daughter congregations. Church planting is in our blood and it is something I hope will continue.
As I reflect on the ongoing ministry of our church family here I am reminded of a conversation I had with the late Helen Sinclair shortly after my arrival. Helen said that what is needed in Cole Abbey, as we were then called, was an evangelist. After five years of labour among you, I think she was right. In my view, the biggest single issue that needs to be worked through is that of evangelism. How do we do it? How far is evangelism a way of life for the church and its members? Who do we reach? How do we reach them? What are the barriers to evangelism we face and how do we overcome them? And perhaps most importantly, who is going to do it? Answering the ‘evangelism question’, it seems to me, with credible proposals for corporate action as a church, is critical to the future health of LCPC. My prayer will be that the Lord grants to you a pastor gifted and equipped to answer that particular challenge and equip you all for that vital task.
There are many areas of concern now facing LCPC going into a time on vacancy in the pulpit, not least among them, ‘who will be the next pastor?’ We might give attention to the prayerfulness of the congregation, the sense of real community- especially among those who are new or on the edges of the church, the quality of our singing, the effectiveness of our pastoral oversight, and much else besides. Undoubtedly these will be perpetual challenges for us, as they are for most congregations, and I am sure that, resting on the Lord, you will continue to wrestle with them.
However, I think it important in reviewing the last (almost) five years that we remind ourselves not just of the work that remains to be done, but of all that the Lord has been doing. There have been many lives touched by the gospel in our church, with many of them now serving Jesus around the world. If you were to ask them they would tell you that a significant time of growth took place while with us in London. Here they caught a vision of service and of the kingdom that has not left them. There are those who recall the quality of the welcome and the warmth of the hospitality received here as one of the greatest blessings of their time in London. I received a letter just the other day from someone recounting their appreciation for our hospitality. A few months before I had an e-mail from a young man who counts his conversion to time spent in one of our homes. There have been people changed by the power of God though his Word in our wee church and for those things let us give thanks, and press on in our service to the King knowing that our labour in the Lord is not in vain.
As I conclude let me ask you to pray for us as a family as we turn to the challenges of a new ministry in a new cultural context, far from home and all that we know. I find myself asking Paul’s question in 2 Corinthians 2:16 again with new urgency, as I did on coming to London and have done many times since, “Who is sufficient for such things?” I go from you in fear and trembling, but thankful for Paul’s words of comfort in answer to his own question “Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”
Your pastor
David Strain
Congregational News
Farewell for the Strains
All are welcome to attend the farewell do for David, Sheena and the boys, being held on Saturday 19 July at Rotherhithe Free Evangelical Church/Southwark Park. The plan is to meet around 1.30pm and to have tea later at 4pm.
Weddings in the congregation
Stephen Silva is getting married to Amy Stevens on 2 August, in Hull. They have a house to rent in Hull while Amy finishes her degree.
Iain MacDonald and Yolandie Jansen are getting married on Saturday 6 September in Calderwood Hall near the foothills of the Southern Drakensberg in South Africa. Iain and Yolandie met in LCPC in early 2006 while Yolandie was over working in London. .
Please remember them all in prayer.
Church cleaning
Don’t forget the church cleaning on Saturday 26th of July from 10.00 – 13.00. It is hoped that the building work will be completed by then. It would be appreciated if you let John MacDonald know if you intend coming.
Free Church Camp
Two of our members, Margaret and Marianne will be spending a week in late July, as leaders on the Free Church Camp (youth holiday) in Padua, Italy. Please pray for safe travel, lots of energy and that it would be a really enjoyable and beneficial week for all the campers and leaders. In previous years members of the congregation have provided significant amounts of baking for consumption at Free Church camps. Obviously it is not practical to transport this to Italy, but if you would like to make a contribution to the Free Church’s Youth Camps, or just want to find out more about them, visit www.freechurch.org/youth/camps.htm
The work of the Deacons Court
I was
asked to submit the report made on behalf of the Deacons Court at the AGM.
After some thought the Editor thought this might be more interesting if it was
expanded to review relevant recommendations from the Quinquennial Report. So
here goes...
There have been many changes to the Deacons Court in the past year. Most
noticeably we've increased our numbers, our most recent "converts"
being Iain MacKay and Iain MacDonald. This has allowed us to take more
responsibility for diaconal work - in the past the line between a deacon and
elder was blurred, Elders were often doing diaconal work and were too stretched
to do 'elderly' work. This change occurred due in part to the Quinquennial
Report and also the prompting of the minister.
Also in response to the Quinquennial Report, we've tried to communicate better,
using established methods and remembering to do them routinely. The Church
Administrator is key to this in tying loose ends together and having time set
aside to compile tasks/events and deal with them. Mathilda, the current
Administrator now plays a key role in the communications by producing the email
bulletin and notices in the Order of Service. We shall miss her when she
finishes due to her expected baby. While we're on the topic of communication,
Bob Keay ensures that each week the sermons are recorded for the benefit of web
users who can access them from our church website. If you weren't aware of this
facility, please make use of it.
I soon realised after joining the Deacons Court, there is more to being a
Deacon than opening the church on a Sunday with the occasional stewarding turn.
I have had to revise my expectation that deacons should always deal with any
and every practical issues that arise. There is too much to do for that to be
possible. Thankfully in LCPC there are many people who find opportunities to
serve with the Deacons. Perhaps as a congregation we could makes things better
by being better co-ordinated in our efforts so that tasks are shared/easier and
also ensuring certain jobs don't occasionally get missed if they have fallen to
just one person.
Stop press - our most recent change is our new Treasurer, Ilze Malan. We are
waiting for her return from South Africa, this hiccup shows that role is a very
active one and is key to the smooth running of the church. This is a good
opportunity to thank the outgoing Treasurer, Chris De Vries and his wife for
all their work. We wish the God's blessing on them as they return to South
Africa.
John MacDonald
Elders Update
The Kirk Session (KS) is far from being a bunch of horses dragging a Church that is stumbling behind. Also, it is not intended to be an idle committee acting as the anchor of a Church eager to sail. Both extremes are signs of an unhealthy Church. The role of the KS has to be seen under the principle of spiritual gifts and ministry.
Every Christian is commanded to put their gifts to work for the common good of the Body. The KS – simply a group of men gifted to develop a certain ministry – has to fit within this model and work under the same organic relationship with the rest of the members as any other ministry does.
It means that the work of the KS is not superior to any other ministry in the life of the Church. We are all equally necessary for the wellbeing of the Body and likewise
companies and trying to spot where other investors have misvalued their businesses. It's a mix of applied economics, psychology and (some) accounting that I find fascinating.
How long are you planning to stay in London?
At least several years.
What is your favourite place in London?
London is a great place and I try to make the most of what's available here. I'm a serious foodie, so top of the list is probably the cluster of good Far Eastern restaurants that London offers.
What don’t you like about London?
Getting around with undependable and antiquated public transport is a hassle. I try to avoid it in favour of my folding bicycle.
What couldn't you survive in London without?
My bike, a GPS map and several restaurant guides.
How long have you been a Christian?
Though I was brought up in a Lutheran environment, I think I only really came to know God in my time at university. Being born again is frequently described as a single emotionally charged event, but for me the process was gradual. Over time, God pushed me to reflect upon Him and myself and through His word and spirit led me towards a God-centred life.
How did you come to be worshiping at LCPC?
A minor focus on Reformation history in university drew me to a Reformed church and I was impressed by David's sermons.
Can you tell us one thing that you think LCPC does well ……
It has a
great website that I frequently use to listen to sermons that I have missed.
And one thing that you think we could improve……
It's probably worth thinking about how to efficiently maintain a sense of community in a time-scarce environment like London. The weekly emails and the revival of the newsletter are good ideas in this respect.
(If you would like to feature in a future edition please speak to Marina, Iain or Ruth).
Canada Water
What’s happening in Canada Water? Kruger explains the latest developments…
There was discussion of Canada Water at the recent Free Church General Assembly – what was that all about?
It’s about Canada Water Church (CWC) coming of age and moving onto the next phase in its growth. Having been planted by LCPC, CWC is now ready to become a fully fledged congregation and ordain its own local elders. However, there is a problem with the Free Church position on worship, which is not the same as the South African tradition. This has made it difficult for potential elders and deacons to take the Free Church ordination vows.
So is CWC leaving the Free Church?
No. I feel very at home in the Free Church. We have the same ethos and I personally enjoy good fellowship with the other ministers. But, the General Assembly recognised the worship issue and agreed that the right thing eventually was for CWC to find a compatible denomination in England. So we are exploring the options for co-operation and talking to the IPC and the EPCEW, but not rushing into anything. Hence we are now in an interim stage which is different to the position of any other congregation! But it is important not to let the politics get in the way of the work of the gospel, so with the support of the Free Church and the Gereformeered Kerk, we are moving on to ‘particularise’ the congregation and ordain elders on 13 July.
What about the plans for an English service, how do they fit in?
The plan is to start an English service which will be part of Canada Water Church, not a separate church. Chris and Zhenya Bear are coming to England to do church planting with the EPCEW, but they will be spending their first two years working with us in Canada Water doing local evangelism and helping start the English service. This is a good example of how we can work together with other Presbyterian churches in London.
When will the Bears arrive and how can we help them?
They have now raised 100% of their funding and are making the final arrangements for moving to London later in July. The plan is for them to stay in the LCPC Manse until they find a suitable home to rent in Canada Water. LCPC will have a crucial role in welcoming the Bears and supporting then as they assimilate into life in London.
n.b
To find out more about the Bears check out their website
EPCEW stands for the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in England and Wales
The IPC are the International Presbyterian Church, which includes the congregation in Ealing where Paul Levy is the Pastor. www.ipc-ealing.co.uk
Introducing…….
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Ruth Montgomery
Where are you from?
Northern Ireland, although I’ve spent half my life elsewhere - Scotland, Spain, France and the Netherlands. Most of my family are still there, so I do go back a few times a year.
What are you doing in London?
I work for a company called Swift, a payments
network used by a lot of banks. I’ve been in London for 18 months.
How long are you planning to stay in London?
For the foreseeable future, I’m pretty sure my travelling days are over!
What is your favourite place in London?
I love the peace and quiet of Kew Gardens, the history in the Tower of London and the British Museum, and the buzz around Trafalgar Square/West End on summer evenings. One thing I would change is the fact that it is too dangerous to cycle to most of the places I’d like to try.
What couldn’t you survive in London without (e.g. the A-Z)
The A-Z and walking shoes.
What do I never leave home without?
Oyster card, mobile, lip balm, something to read on the bus/tube and ipod.
How long have you been a Christian?
20 years - I knew from a young age I needed to make the decision, and that there could only be one answer. One Sunday night at a youth mission something that was said (and I can’t remember what it was) made me realise the moment had come and it was time to make that commitment.
How did you come to be worshiping at LCPC?
I moved about 6 months ago, and found LCPC through google.
Can you tell us one thing that you think LCPC does well ……
Very welcoming! Even if you’re shy, someone will come over to say hello.
Any Interests/hobbies:
I love reading books on history and politics, cinema, herbal tea, Eurovision (as entertainment, rather than art) and all kinds of music (from Amy Winehouse to the Dubliners to Handel).
Mike Pettit
Where are you from?
Leeds (Yorkshire)
What are you doing in London?
Working as a tax inspector, tackling corporate tax avoidance structures
How long are you planning to stay in London?
For the foreseeable future
What is your favourite place in London?
I love the historic medieval winding alleys in the City and the little bits of history that they contain.
What couldn’t you survive in London without?
My Wife and my books (in that order).
How long have you been a Christian?
I would say since I was 17
How did you come to be worshiping at LCPC?
I became convinced that the Reformed faith is the true expression of the truth revealed to and handed down to the Church by the Apostles. There are very few Reformed Churches in London and LCPC is the most accessible.
Can you tell us one thing that you think LCPC does well ……
It sings the Psalms and only the Psalms.
And one thing that you think we could improve……
I would like a more systematic exposition of theology, I have always liked what Dorothy Sayers said: “dull dogma as people call it. The fact is the precise opposite. It is the neglect of dogma that makes for dullness. The Christian faith is the most exciting drama that ever staggered the imagination of man—and the dogma is the drama.”
Arthur Kadish
Where are you from?
Finland, though I spent 3 years reading for a degree
in social and economic history at Oxford
prior to moving to London.
What are you doing in London?
I work as an investment analyst at Orbis, a small investment management group with an office in the West End. We manage a group of mutual funds for individual as well as institutional investors such as pension funds. We believe that, at times, the market price of a stock and the intrinsic value of its underlying business can diverge, making the stock an attractive investment for our clients. My job is basically to identify these rare opportunities. In practice, I spend most of my time researching individual
LONDON CITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
PRAYER DIARY
July – September 2008
JULY 2008
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Thursday 17 July |
Murdock Graham |
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Friday 18 July |
Barbara Homrighausen |
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Saturday 19 July |
Peter and Marina Huey |
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Sunday 20 July |
The Johnson Family |
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Monday 21 July |
David Strain on his last Sunday |
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Tuesday 22 July |
Margaret and Marianne serving as leaders on the FC camp in Padua, Italy, until 30 July. |
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Monday 07 July |
Ria Boot |
Wednesday 23 July |
Arthur Kadish |
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Tuesday 08 July |
Grace Choi |
Thursday 24 July |
Bob Keay |
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Wednesday 09 July |
Christopher and Mia Couvaras |
Friday 25 July |
Christopher and Cindy Kennedy |
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Thursday 10 July |
Joan Curtis |
Saturday 26 July |
Cornelia Kerkhoff |
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Friday 11 July |
Kruger, Stephania, Steffan and Timothy De Kock |
Sunday 27 July |
Chris and Zhenya Bear as they arrive in the UK |
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Saturday 12 July |
Chris and Ilse De Vries, recently returned to South Africa |
Monday 28 July |
Ibrar Ahmed Khan |
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Sunday 13 July |
The new congregation at Canada Water |
Tuesday 29 July |
The Edinburgh Presbytery, which usually meets on the last Tuesday of each month. |
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Monday 14 July |
Anja Drifhout |
Wednesday 30 July |
Shaun, Anel and Katherine Laurens |
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Tuesday 15 July |
Peter, Fenna, Shona and Allan Fraser |
Thursday 31 July |
Iain, Bethan and Maisie MacDonald |
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Wednesday 16 July |
Mari Geertsma |
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AUGUST 2008
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Friday 01 August |
Iain MacDonald |
Sunday 17 August |
The preacher at today’s services |
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Saturday 02 August |
Stephen and Amy getting married today |
Monday 18 August |
Ruth Montgomery |
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Sunday 03 August |
The Bears as the settle into |
Tuesday 19 August |
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Monday 04 August |
John, Ruth and Alec MacDonald |
Wednesday 20 August |
Mike Pettit |
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Tuesday 05 August |
Iain and Ana Maria Mackay |
Thursday 21 August |
Lize Pretorius |
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Wednesday 06 August |
Donald Mackenzie |
Friday 22 August |
Martin, Gerda and Martin Jnr Prinsloo |
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Thursday 07 August |
The Strains, flying out to the |
Saturday 23 August |
Margaret Renwick |
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Friday 08 August |
Henrietta MacLeod |
Sunday 24 August |
Ron Salo |
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Saturday 09 August |
Nancie MacLeod |
Monday 25 August |
James, Linda, David and Kate Savin |
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Sunday 10 August |
Mr and Mrs Angus MacMillian |
Tuesday 26 August |
Thea Scheepers |
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Monday 11 August |
Our sister congregation in Cobham |
Wednesday 27 August |
Gottlieb Schoeman |
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Tuesday 12 August |
Ilze Malan |
Thursday 28 August |
Juan and Gillian Silva |
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Wednesday 13 August |
Wesley and Celeste Manley |
Friday 29 August |
Marianne Silva |