Living the Faith

Last Sunday morning at Amersham Free Church it was such a delight to welcome BMS Trainees Sergio and Liz to the 10.30am service along with their thoroughly charming toddler Chloe! During our worship together they told us something of their ‘call’ to serve God overseas and their specific preparation at this time in getting ready for Mozambique – where they will work with the Baptist Convention  in the training of youth pastors/workers and the provision of pre-school education.


As I stood with them by the door greeting people at the end of the service it was obvious that their presence among us had caused a very vibrant and positive ‘buzz’.  As the congregation said their ‘goodbyes’ most pre-fixed it by wishing them well, assuring them of prayers and just generally expressing admiration and respect for what they are about to do – that is go to live and serve overseas with a toddler for five years!


Now don’t get me wrong – Erna and I generally find the congregation very encouraging at the door week by week – but Sunday was different.  It’s as if Sergio’s and Liz’s presence confirmed in us all that faith can indeed by ‘lived out’ – that it is never complete in a merely  theoretical sense and that it has to be expressed in the daily offering of our lives to God and neighbour.


I’ve often sensed something similar at Baptist Assemblies as pastors or missionaries have been ‘commissioned’ – after all the words spoken and sung it was actually seeing folk offering the service of their lives that spoke the loudest with the clearest message.


However, it would surely be the most obvious of mistakes to put service in Mozambique on a higher pedestal than that offered day in and day out in Amersham (or wherever).  All our lives matter – to God and each other – and the call to us to live out our faith, this week and this year, will give us joy, delight, struggle and challenge – but isn’t that what discipleship is all about – wherever we live it?

With best wishes,

Ian