Do you know Christ? - reflections from our new Assistant Pastor

On 23rd September 1982, Charles Simeon (who was a faithful Anglican pastor and teacher) wrote a letter to a young man who was being ordained for ministry. The letter read as follows: 'My dearest friend, I most sincerely congratulate you, not on permission to receive £40 or £50 a year (a reference to his salary), nor on the title of Reverend (a reference to his ordination), but on your ascension to the most valuable, most honourable, most important, and most glorious office in the world - to that of an ambassador of the Lord Jesus Christ.'

These are the words I quoted during my recent ordination and induction at LCBC. It was an emotional day as I reflected on the strong burden God has placed on my heart to teach his word, pastor his people and help those who do not yet know Jesus Christ as Lord to come to a saving faith in him. It is a privilege to be a pastor, a privilege to have been called to serve at LCBC but most importantly of all, a privilege to be a Christian.

As followers of Christ, we are called to be ambassadors for him. It is an urgent task which carries great responsibility. Preaching the following Sunday morning, I wanted to take the opportunity to encourage the church with these truths. We looked together at Philippians 3:1-11 where Paul makes it clear that his number one goal is to KNOW Christ. So often as churches, we get swept up in the busyness and excitement of running various ministries and programmes, all of which may well be doing great work. And yet often our abilities, our busyness and our desire to serve Christ, subtly but dangerously begins to replace our relationship with him.
 

The passage taught us two things about what knowing Christ MEANS:

1. Personal relationship  - not just knowing about Christ but experiencing his love, keeping in step with his Spirit and growing in relationship with him each day. Can you call Jesus Christ YOUR Lord?

2. Total surrender - if Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:11), he must also be OUR Lord. There is always a danger of wanting Jesus as our Saviour but not as our Lord. Giving over all of our life to him helps us to truly know him. Is Jesus Christ your LORD?

The passage also taught us what knowing Christ would LOOK LIKE:

1. Total dependence - it is easy to trust Christ for our forgiveness but then live our lives trusting in our own strength. Paul reminds us that although he had many good reasons to place his confidence in himself, he laid these aside in total dependence on Christ.

2. Total commitment - the more deeply we know Christ, the more prepared we will be to give our all for him. I pray for our church and anyone else who reads this, that our goal will be to encourage one another to know Christ more deeply and that this will always be the foundation from which we seek to serve him. May we join with Paul and pray: "I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord."

Mark Herbert
Assistant Pastor LCBC

Ordination and Induction of Mark Herbert as Assistant Pastor at LCBC

Saturday 13th September  2014 was a day that has been long in coming for Mark.  Having completed a Geography degree and taught for two years while working with Christians in Sport he felt such a strong call from God that he then spent five years training for ministry in church placements and at Oak Hill Theological College.

Mark and his wife Steph have been living in the village for several weeks now, and he is already an important part of the pastoral team. Today he was ordained, and inducted as Assistant Pastor at LCBC. 

During the course of the service we heard from Paul Woodbridge, one of his tutors at Oak Hill, who noted both his outstanding grades and also his prowess at football(!), and also Pastor Neil Turton who shared the impression of the Elders at his interview of his sincerity, humility, spiritual maturity and pastoral sensitivity.

Mark spoke movingly of his call "God laid such a strong burden on my heart" and his time as a student at Oak Hill "I wasn't taught what to think, but how to think".

The official ordination and induction was carried out by Senior Pastor Jeff Steadman 

He and the elders then prayed for and laid hands on Mark, and also Steph.

Ray Evans from Grace Community Church in Bedford, where Mark had spent some time training, gave an inspiring talk. He reminded Mark that he should endeavour to live a Christ-like selfless life, and lead by the power of example.

Following the service a delicious lunch was waiting for members of the church family and the guests who had travelled from many different places to share in this very special day.