In true Petworth Community Church style, the younger generation were well represented at the weekend away.   From our own little granddaughter Esme-Rose, to the fast growing Oli, children were a large part of the weekend.   And the highlight of this was helping Callum celebrate his 10th birthday with that wonderful cake !

The theme of the weekend was about equipping the saints; we looked at ‘church’ - it’s organic nature, how to ensure that it is sustainable and future proof.   We explored the ministries that Paul discusses in Ephesians 4 and began to indentify and confirm our own, and each others, ministries and gifts  - recognising that these aren’t fixed and boundaried, but changing depending on our particular situations and activities -  based around our changing life callings.    They are meant to be operating both within the church when it is gathered and in ‘church in the community’.  

As we prayed for Nigel and Emma in their particular calling in parenting Esme-Rose, my mind went back 30 years to when the then PCF met in the Red Cross Centre, and I used to look after Nigel each Sunday morning in the kitchen.  It struck me that what we were praying about was ‘reproduction’  -  ensuring that the past and present is re-birthed into the future.   But Esme-Rose is not a clone of Nigel  -  she is the result of the coming together of Emma and Nigel  -  producing something new and unique. 

And that is why the ministries and gifts are given - to ensure that church is continually re-birthed into the future through the equipping of the saints.   Not a replica of now, but an organism ‘fit for purpose’ for the demands of tomorrow.

Over the last year Ruth and I have become proud grandparents of Molly and Esme-Rose, but we have also enjoyed welcoming Hannah’s son Theo (Nick’s girlfriend), and Carla’s Elijah.   During the weekend, I found myself instinctively ‘looking after’ the various children who were there - regardless of whether they ‘belonged’ to me.   Looking after other peoples’ babies is part of the privilege of belonging to the church family.   It is not only baby-sitting when requested - it is about praying for, and nurturing, the families and the children. (No I am not offering a babysitting service !)

There are of course other babies that we are called to look after  -  the particular ‘babies’ we each carry in the form of ministries and gifting.   We need to be nurturing each others’ calling -  giving them space to be and exercise their gifts,  supporting and encouraging them as they go out into the community as church -  representing the risen Lord Jesus, and taking Kingdom values into the various situations we face.     

So what’s your ‘baby’ ?    And whose ‘baby’ can you nurture ?   

Tony April 2010