We face some changes at Awali church. Our use of the building has been restricted, and the future use of Friday school rooms is uncertain.
Nothing happens apart from the set purpose and foreknowledge of God (Acts 2:23). We have confidence that since God did not spare His own Son, but gave him up for us all, He will also give us everything we need (Romans 8:32).
The most important thing at this time is to be following Gods' leading. We don't live on bread alone, nor do we depend on buildings alone, but rather on every word the comes from the mouth of God (Matt 4:4). When God's people go by what 'seems obvious' to them, and don't seek the Lord's wisdom, great mistakes can be made (Joshua 9).
So the question is not, "How will we manage?", but instead "What is God trying to tell us?" Once we know what God wants us to do, we can start managing that.
Monday is a day of fasting and prayer, asking for God's direction. If you can't come to a 'break-fast' on Monday night, you're welcome to post your comments below.
What do you think God is telling us?
Graeme
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Monday night was a great time of prayer and fellowship. The Lord continued to move in the hearts of those present and has begun to open our eyes to His vision for our church in Bahrain.
--Darren
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It's very difficult for me to admit that we are not in control of what happens to our meeting place. While I admire the attitude that God will show us the way, I'm inclined to pose alternative plans. . .Could we meet at the Bapco center? Someone's compound community room? God saved my family life in Bahrain. When I thought all community connection to Christ was in jeopardy, I happened on Awali Church.I didn't realize that practicing Christianity was legal in Bahrain,let alone safe. But when I saw that it was thriving in Awali Church, I understood that God is a personal God and He cares about His faithful, and He's so blessed our community through the faithful meetings at Awali Church. I don't know what will become of our community if the school building isn't accessible, but I know where two or three are gathered in His name, there is Love. I know that God will not forsake us.
Greetings in His precious name.
Our God is a good God whose plans and timing are always perfect. I believe our faith in Him who is in control is what we should focus on.
'Wait upon the Lord' I say continuing to petition in prayer that he will reveal His purpose and that we as His people would be obedient to this.
Dear Graeme and elders,
In the last few weeks I have been reading 2 Cor 8 and 9. Ch 8 v 13-15 has been especially on my mind. In the context of different congregations helping to supply one another's needs, Paul says: "Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need , so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, as it is written, "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little." I wonder whether God is challenging us to look at what is beneficial for the Body of Christ in Bahrain, as a whole, not just for us. As I look round the Body, I see that Awali Church has an abundance of people and finances, but a lack of physical space. The Rivers of Joy church has a dedicated passionate pastor, good backing from outside, a vision and faith to see things happen here in Bahrain, but is lacking in numbers, especially in mature members. I see that the Good News Church is planning to step out in faith and support their pastor full-time within the next few months, trusting that the money will come from within Bahrain, rather than appealing for funds from outside. So they have faith and vision, but are in need of finance. When we read Romans 15:27 and 16:1 in church recently, it made me think of Cedric and Karen. They have been a great help spiritually to many people, including me (through the Living Waters, Womens' Aglow, the intercession group and in other ways.) Might it be appropriate for us to help them by sharing our material blessings? So I wonder whether God is calling us as a church to give some of our people (along with their finances) to some of the other congregations in Bahrain to meet the needs of the Body as a whole. I believe this act of generosity, unity and mutual support would have a far reaching impact for good. I have also seen that sowing to support the ministry of others during one's own time of crisis is a means God uses to release His blessing. (2 Cor 9:6).
This is a solution which could be put into effect almost immediately, relieving congestion in the existing building and giving time for solutions to be worked out for those who remain as the Awali Church.
If this is deemed to be a good idea, I would be willing to help in "the administration of this gift" in whatever way you deem appropriate.
May God give you wisdom as you consider this.
With my prayers,
Ruth Young
Dear Church,
This is the third time I have started this blog, and so this time I am writing it in Notepad and cutting and pasting it in, just in case.
Since Graeme gave us this challenge a few weeks back to think about not just how to manage the problem of not having enough space, but rather to think through what God is saying to us through it all, I have been praying.
At the same time, David Laskey gave me a book by Tom Sine, entitled "Mustard Seed vs McWorld: Reinventing Life and Faith for the Future". I was still in the first chapter when this poignant quote caught my eye.
'Speaking to sixty Christian businessmen in Christchurch, New Zealand, I asked, "How many of you forecast before you plan in your business?" Every hand in the room went up.
"Now," I asked, "how many of you, as leaders in your churches, forecast before you plan?" Not a single hand went up. While leaders of corporations routinely make an effort to determine, before they plan, how the future is likely to change, leaders of churches and Christian organisations rarely do.
We plan as though we are frozen in a time warp. ... We do so-called long-range or strategic planning as though the future were simply going to be an extension of the past. Anyone who has lived through the past three decades knows this addumption is false.'
As I have been thinking about our church, this seems like a critical time for us to do two things a) take a look at where God has brought us.
I have been a member here for 8 years, and 8 years ago, we did not imagine we would look like we do now, but there were the signs that God was changing us even then.
We also need to b) look forward in regards to how will Bahrain change in the next 5 and 10 years and how does that affect Awali.
Because thinking these things through is not a short-term thing and we have an immediate problem of where are we going to fit everyone, I am wondering if God might have us take on a temporary solution while we seek His face for what the more permanent solution will look like?
For me this seems to fit with the Scripture God drew me to during the meeting on the prayer and fast day of Acts 16 - where Paul and his companions receive the Macedonian call.
I was struck during that reading on verses 7 and 8. Here they are trying to get into Bythnia but the Holy Spirit wouldn't allow them to so they end up going through Mysia and down to Troas. (By my maps that is at least a 300 km journey). Only then did God tell them that He wanted them to go to Macedonia.
I humbly submit that our Lord may be wanting to take us on a journey to a new way of doing things - and not only a new venue. I am wondering what it would look like for all of us to really seek His face in this regards.
The Lord says that He will confide in those who fear Him. He knows the beginning and the end. I believe we need to have Him speak to us corporately about how Awali will be different in the next 10 years.
Blessings as we listen,
Linda
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