Grace Baptist takeover

[Covenanter]

Please pray for our multiracial Gospel Fellowship as we lose our building & are being scattered. Especially pray that there will be gracious interaction between the churches & that we will not have a spirit of resentment.

From an email sent out to their supporters:

"Sxxx"
I look forward to visiting "Sxxx" on 9 June 2010 where we plan to plant a new church later this summer. We praise the Lord for the provision of a building!

My concern is that the "Building!" houses a Bible-believing Gospel church, & the baptists coming in should be welcomed by the existing church, & seek to incorporate us.

The trustees have given us 3 months notice, so the baptists can move in. They haven't visited us, they haven't introduced themselves, apart from a phone call last January when the leader indicated his interest in using the building for a church plant.

"Sxxx" is heavily populated by immigrants & Christians of any persuasion are a minority. All the other churches are involved in "Churches Together" &/or the charismatic movement.

On June 9 they would have seen photos of our recent baptisms (6) & the congregation, & a poster we use for our children's club.

I'm waiting for some Christian contact from them, as they introduce themselves & share their vision ... but I'm not holding my breath. Edited June 10, 2010 by Covenanter

[John81]

May the Lord's will be done

[HappyChristian]

I'm sorry you are losing your building, Covenanter. And that it seems you are being snubbed by those moving in...especially since they (I would presume) name the name of Christ.

[OLD fashioned preacher]

"Losing" your bldg? Are you selling? Were you renting? Can't you rent or purchase another? You you a member of a group who decided to discontinue its presence in that community?

Just trying to get the "big picture" here.

Edited June 10, 2010 by OLD fashioned

[Covenanter]

"Losing" your bldg? Are you selling? Were you renting? Can't you rent or purchase another? You you a member of a group who decided to discontinue its presence in that community?

Just trying to get the "big picture" here.

In 1993, the Brethren assembly holding the building closed down because of numbers. We were meeting in homes, & were offered free use of the building, paying all expenses. Over a year ago we were asked if we wished to buy the building. We were not in a position to do so.

We have no prOBlem with the trustees, who want to pass on responsibility to Christians for the building without putting it on the market, when it would prOBably be bought by other religions.

We can join with a likeminded church & continue in existence, but that will be in another town about 3-4 miles away. Leaving the building is not a big prOBlem.

The prOBlem I have is with in new people, who have made no attempt to introduce themselves. In the one telecon I had in January, the leader explained that in their experience a church plant works best when they have a fresh start without an existing church. We will not be allowed to use the building, though I suppose we might be able to attend the new church.

I would have no prOBlem with the attitude: "We understand you are unable to buy the building. We are looking for a building in the area as a centre for a church plant, & have arranged with the trustees to take it on. During the intervening 3 months we would love to join with you & get to know you, so that when we take over, you will want to continue with us."

Church is people - living stones - not a building. We have our 148th anniversary later this year & have no desire to abandon a largely pagan community. We started with a harvest festival in a farmer's barn in 1862.

We are members of the "Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches" which is in fellowship with the Grace Baptists. Edited June 10, 2010 by Covenanter

[Invicta]

Hello Ian,

I have just come across this thread,

AS an FIEC church, we work closely with many local Grace Baptist Churches, and I cannot believe that any we work with would act in this way. Our Current moderator is FIEC, but the previous two were Grace B. In fact our last Pastor was Grace, Have you spoken to the local Grace Baptist Association?

Regards

David

Edited June 11, 2010 by Invicta

[Covenanter]

Thank you for your concern & prayer . In view of our complete failure to make meaningful contact with the incomers, our members are discouraged & many are not worshipping with us. We are maintaining fellowship with them by prayer & Bible study & women's meetings, & the children's club.

We attempted to make contact those taking over the building. Here is a summary:

Me
When I read your first mention of Sxxx in your email news of June 6th, I was very upset. I still am. I am very concerned that your interest in Southall excludes the existing Gospel church.
....
Who will be leading the "plant"? We might be able to work with them,

Him
I am sorry to hear that our desire to plant a new church in the premises being vacated by your church has upset you.

Me
You have completely misunderstood me. I was delighted when I heard that you were interested in taking over the building for a GB plant in Sxxx. I did not want it to be sold for pagan worship, nor for housing, & we had used all our finances supporting an evangelist/church worker.

My concerns are that you have no place for the existing church in your plans, & that those who will lead the work have made no attempt to introduce themselves to us.

Him
Thanks for the clarification. I trust the Lord will continue to guide and provide for his people. We look to him.

That last was the entire message. We have seen the trustees of the building. They have been told the GBs want an empty building - no furniture, no amplification/hearing loop - no games equipment, & of course, no continuing members.

Worst of all they have no desire to learn of our contacts, including our children's club.

Please pray that there will be no'casualties' from the takeover, & that Gospel contacts will yet be saved

Edited July 4, 2010 by Covenanter

[OFIB Preacher]

May the Lord's will be done

AMEN!

[OFIB Preacher]

"Losing" your bldg? Are you selling? Were you renting? Can't you rent or purchase another? You you a member of a group who decided to discontinue its presence in that community?

Just trying to get the "big picture" here.

Great questions, Brother! Oh and BTW, glad to see ya out from under that rock! LOL

[OFIB Preacher]

Hello Ian,

I have just come across this thread,

AS an FIEC church, we work closely with many local Grace Baptist Churches, and I cannot believe that any we work with would act in this way. Our Current moderator is FIEC, but the previous two were Grace B. In fact our last Pastor was Grace, Have you spoken to the local Grace Baptist Association?

Regards

David

Maybe it's 'cause I'm from "across the pond," but I've never heard of "Grace Baptists!" What are they and if they're true Baptists, why aren't they IFB (Independent Fundamental Baptists)?

[Covenanter]

Maybe it's 'cause I'm from "across the pond," but I've never heard of "Grace Baptists!" What are they and if they're true Baptists, why aren't they IFB (Independent Fundamental Baptists)?

Grace Baptists hold the 1689 confession of faith. The leader of the GB Partnership is an American.

[OFIB Preacher]

Grace Baptists hold the 1689 confession of faith. The leader of the GB Partnership is an American.

Yes Sir, and?

[Invicta]

IFB is distincty American.


I did ask a question somewhere but I cannot remember which thread I asked it on, so I don't know if anyone answered. It was "What is the difference between IFB and FBFI?"

Perhaps someone can answer and sorry if you answered by prvious question but My memory is going.

[anime4christ]

praying

[Wilchbla]

Maybe if they were Irresistable Grace Baptist Church you could stay.