A Message from our Chairman

Writing this message post Christmas 2004, the issues I am trying to deal with may seem pretty insignificant in the face of the tragedy that has just unfolded in the countries surrounding the Indian Ocean.  Just the scale of the loss of human life and the suffering of those who have survived is overwhelming and may challenge the faith of many.  Questions such as, “Why did God allow this to happen?” may be in the minds of many people.  It is hard to reconcile this situation with the picture in the Creation Narrative where we are told, “And God saw that it was good.”  We should remember also that creation has fallen from that “Good” condition through the rebellion of that which was made.  In choosing other than God, we are making a choice for other than the perfection of God.

Such overwhelming power as demonstrated in the Tsunami following the earthquake is not down to human design, nor is it within our power to prevent, but such effects of a fallen creation are within God’s ability to change.  In Christ, God stoops down to a powerless world to restore and renew that which is lost in the “Fall”.  In John’s vision in the Book of Revelation we find the fulfilment of that work of God in and through Our Lord Jesus Christ, “Then I saw a New Heaven and a New Earth,” (Rev 21 v 1).

Such a vision of the fulfilment of God’s purpose for His creation should strengthen our resolve and faith in His love expressed in the birth of the Christ that we celebrate each Christmas season.  The suffering of so many as the result of the natural disaster, should not weaken us but strengthen our desire to be co-workers with God to restore creation to His sovereign will and purpose.  So let us pray, let us do what we practically can to alleviate the suffering of so many.  But let us also strive the more for the Renewal of God’s Church in this nation so that we may see the Gospel of hope proclaimed to all nations of the world.

Our understanding of what it means to be “co-workers” is not always as clear as we would like.  For instance, the issue of the relationship of the Flames of Fire Conference to New Wine Cymru was not resolved at the AGM in November 2004.  The situation is summed up in the motion passed at the meeting, “That the proposal not be put to the meeting, but that the executive committee (of ARM Wales) be instructed to work alongside New Wine Cymru, to see how things progress.”  This may not be what people on each side of the emotional debate might have considered God’s Will to be.  Yet I trust that God does know what is best, more than any of us.  The situation does show us that, no matter how strongly we feel something to be right, we still might not be hearing God clearly, and might not be collaborating, as we would intend.

So where does that leave ARM (Wales) now?  Well, we continue to seek God’s way forward, through prayer and faithful loving action.  The Executive meeting in December 2004 has begun a prayerful focus on the needs of the Church in Wales, seeking what ARM (Wales) can contribute to the Renewal of the Church at Parish, Deanery & Diocesan level.  The Flames of Fire Conference preparations are being managed by some of the key section leaders involved at the conference each summer.  So things are moving ahead for the work of ARM (Wales).

The work of ARM (Wales) and Flames of Fire is not for the few, but each of us has some part to play in it, and I would invite members of ARM (Wales) to consider how better to be involved.  Please seek God in prayer for how we together may work alongside Him in Renewing the Church in Wales.  Please pray for the preparations being made for Flames of Fire 2005, for the speakers that have been confirmed, Stuart Bell, Christina Baxter, Kenny Borthwick (New Wine, Scotland), Bruce Collins, and for the seminar speakers as they prepare.  Consider whether you may have skills that can be offered in some practical ministry during the conference.

I hope that you will have had a joy filled celebration of Christmas and that you will have a Happy and Healthy New Year.

Yours in Christ

Nicholas

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