THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

Dear Community of Oban, originally Ros and I came to Oban to lead the Baptist Church for two to three years to help build it up and see it flourish.

Ten years later! – in June 2021 – we finally laid down the responsibility and stood down from the leadership of the church.

In these later days I have been learning to live with the impact of a rare form of dementia called Lewy Body. However, as we break into a new year, I believe that there are other possibilities, that are a potential emphasis of my ministry, that are still to come.

For the last 50 years the primary focus of my ministry has been to point to Christ. From the early beginnings of a trepidatious taking on of a new charge in Edmonton, North London, to the present day in Oban. Working on the premise that we are all obligated to share the Gospel – the Good News of Jesus. This call into service must have continuity and credibility. It is not just the task of the minister to pull all the strings – however much they may want to!

My illness serves to mean that I now, more than ever, walk close to God as he sustains and strengthens me.

In a previous Thought for the Week I wrote about the impact on my mental health of Covid-19 and the restrictions. Despite all these challenges, I firmly believe we have a God who loves us and wants to partner with us to see His Kingdom come.

As we look to 2022 let us seek God’s direction for us individually and as a community.

‘Come, let us go to the mountain of God to the house of the God of Jacob; that God may teach us his ways, and we may walk in His paths.’ Isaiah 2: 3

Spirit of God, teach us your ways, that we may walk into the paths of peace.