I come in to the church in Knightrider St most days, and I am so encouraged to see the buildings used for many things - homeless night shelter, Brigades, Maidstone Bible Week, one to one prayer and pastoral conversations, from fellowship lunches, community café, toddler group, Let's Make Lunch, sport and music activities.... it's a long list, and it is exciting to see kingdom growth as we continue making our church (the people and the buildings) a real hub in this community.
Our church is growing, with new people arriving most weeks. This is a
true blessing, but it also reminds us all to extend a warm welcome to everyone - and what a joy it is on Sunday mornings to see so many children and young people leave for their activities.
We give thanks for this: God is moving powerfully and we must be alert to His leading and prompting to be sure that we stay true to His Word and
avoid any sense of complacency.
But as we grow, we also face the challenge of having enough help to respond to what God is doing amongst us. We are super-grateful for all who already do so much to minister to others, but with an expanding fellowship, new opportunities for service in His kingdom are constantly arising. Everyone has gifts, visible or otherwise, and scripture clearly
instructs us to use our gifts to serve others and to honour God:
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others,
as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. (1 Peter 4:10)
Whether your gift is pouring coffee, washing- up, music, singing, admin, kids' work, preaching, praying, cooking, serving on the AV desk, or something else entirely, your talents can make a BIG difference to God's kingdom. And whether you can offer one hour a month or three days a week, we can fit you in. Do please pray about what role God is calling you
to - and imagine what our amazing church could yet become.
Nigel