Interdependence in Lower Kingswood
Posted on September 21st, 2009 by admin
It was a great joy at the weekend to be present at the Induction service of Jim (James) Murkett to the assistant pastorate at Lower Kingswood Evangelical Church. This was a joy not just because Jim is a good friend of mine, but because it was a great example of Interdepence in action.
Lower Kingswood is a fairly small FIEC church and could probably not support a full-time pastor on their own. However their brothers at Tollgate Evangelical Church have partnered with them in the Gospel, and Jim is to be employed between both churches, but with the congregation at Lower Kingswood as his primary focus.
We thank God for the vision and unity He has given to both churches and pray that we would see many similar schemes around the country.
Sounds a bit like much of the Church of England, strangely enough…
In what way?
Several congregations, one full-time minister. I’ve seen that fairly often in small village settings.
But the joy here is 2 congregations, 2 full-time ministers, with a larger church helping the smaller one carry the load.
So it is – maybe I should read more carefully…
A similar thing has been happening in Sussex in recent years, with Haywards Heath Evangelical Free Church and Cuckfield Baptist Church partnering together to support/rejuvenate Hurspierpoint Evangelical Church.