Unashamed

It's hard to believe that it is nearly three years since Alison, Matthew, Katie and I were getting ready to head out to Chicago for a six week church planting residency with Harvest Bible Fellowship (the church family we are now part of). I was doing some start of year tidying up and came across something that I found on a piece of paper lying on a lectern in one of the Fellowship conference rooms. At that time it served my heart as I contemplated returning to Scotland to plant Harvest Bible Chapel Glasgow. Three years on, heart full with all that God has done here, and about to start a series on Acts by looking at what made the very first church so high impact I was blessed again and reminded of why we wanted to plant a church here in Glasgow.

Today we're still looking for people bold enough to step out for Jesus and help to build a church that longs to be sold out in every way possible for His glory. The Starbucks conversations with people three years ago were that you could go somewhere and be taught the Bible but maybe not feel the freedom to express real excitement about following Jesus, or go somewhere with good music but not feel benefit from the teaching- we don't believe that being faithful in content and being frequently compelling are exclusive of one another. The real issue that we have discerned among people that have come to the Harvest has been the lack of true Christian relationship where the truth is spoken in love and where words of both love and truth are evident features of conversation. As these relationships have been promoted and nurtured the fruit we see in people's lives has been mind-blowing.

So maybe 2012 is calling you to start afresh and look for the kind of place that is living out God's Word for God's glory along the lines of what I read on a piece of paper in Chicago three years ago. If so we would love to see you, talk to you and have you come help us as we seek to reach a city and plant churches across the nation.

The Fellowship of the Unashamed

I am part of the "Fellowship of the Unashamed."
The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line.
The decision has been made. I am a disciple of
Jesus Christ.

I won't look back, let up, slow down,
back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present
makes sense, and my future is secure.
I am finished and done with low living, sight walking,
small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams,
chintzy giving, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position,
promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I now live by
presence, lean by faith, love by patience,
lift by prayer, and labor by power. My pace
is set, my gait is fast, my goal is Heaven, my
road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few,
my Guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought,
compromised, deterred, lured away, turned back,
diluted, or delayed.

I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the
presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy,
ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander
in the maze of mediocrity.

I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I must go until
Heaven returns, give until I drop, preach until all know,
and work until He comes. And when He comes to get
His own, He will have no problem recognizing me.
My banner will be clear.

From Words Aptly spoken, by Dr Bob Moorehead