SENIOR PASTORS' UPDATE

Hi there, Church!

Can you believe it’s only been just over a week since our Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, announced the nation’s lockdown? Is it me, or does it seem much longer?

Derek and myself are adjusting, like many of you, to our ‘new normal’. Let’s be honest, most of us are feeling quite uncomfortable with it all! Whether that involves getting a handle on all things technological, living with family members 24/7, working from home, or just the lack of freedom of not being able to go where you want, when you want. It seems our day-to-day realities have changed very quickly. There are a lot of uncertain and unfamiliar things that we don’t know the answers to, leaving us feeling quite out of control.

It’s at times like these that I try to remind myself of what things I do know and what things I can control.

I do know that “in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

I do know that nothing shall separate us from the love of Christ. Not “trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword.” (Romans 8:35)

I do know that “neither death nor life…. neither the present nor the future… nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8: 38-39)

I do know that the plans God has for me are to “prosper [me] and not to harm [me]… … to give [me] a hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

In a world which is constantly changing around us, we can know and stand on the unchanging promises of God in His Word.

I love this translation of Hebrews 10:25, that reminds as about the power of gathering together as believers: “This is not the time to pull away and neglect meeting together, as some have formed the habit of doing, because we need each other!” (TPT)

It’s important to remember that church is not closed for business. We can choose to keep the habit of meeting together in brand new ways – whether that’s by phone, video call, written messages – but let’s do whatever we can to stay connected. Remember to tune into our online services on Sunday mornings and also “Table Talk” on Thursday nights, both streaming from our Kings Church Central Facebook page. There are also different local things happening across our Kings campuses, including Connect Groups, launching soon.

We always remind you to invite your world to church – and now is a time when it really has never been easier! There are so many opportunities to do that online.

We have also always said that ‘church is not the building’ – so this is a great chance to keep ‘being the church’ at this time. Why don’t you take a few minutes to reach out to someone else today? Hebrews 10:24 reminds us: “Let us consider how we can spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”

In this challenging season, let’s pray for an eternal impact to be made.

Love you all,

Ps Derek & Georgina