Interdependence.org.uk

We had a very encouraging session yesterday afternoon with Richard Underwood, general secretary of the FIEC.  Amongst other things he spoke of his vision for the FIEC, and we have his permission to summarise some of what he said below.

Firstly he took us to Acts 11:19-30 and pointed out that though the Jerusalem church and the church in Antioch were different in many ways yet they were alike in the only way that mattered - as brothers (and sisters) in Christ (11:29).  As a result of this they:

• Shared Information
• Shared people
• Shared money
• Shared vision

In God’s providence this sharing and working together was driven by persecution  (11:19) and famine (11:27).

We were reminded that the apostle Paul’s vision was broader than just the local church (2 Cor 11:28) and the way this concern shaped his ministry which was characterised by:

• Church planting mission
• Apostolic relief fund (a perhaps surprisingly significant emphasis in his letters)
• Apostolic letters
• Apostolic teams

And in the light of all of this, we were encouraged to consider the FIEC’s vision in the following way:

“The FIEC exists to equip gospel churches to make disciples together”

We love the use of the word ‘together’ and the emphasis that came across the whole session on the importance of interdependence and relationship.  A particular strength of this interdependece was the possibility of seeing the ‘big picture’, and letting the gospel drive our agenda (and our fellowship – so that we can be generous on secondary issues whilst holding fast to what is primary).

He identified ministry priorities for the FIEC in the following way:

Churches on a mission together to

• Reach the lost
• Grow leaders
• Care for churches

And of course these are all priorities we share.  Praise God that the leadership of the FIEC is thinking in these ways.  Pray that God would give individual churches the same vision inasmuch as it is a Biblical one.

 

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