Dear friends

I shall soon be asking everyone in the churches whether they would like to join a Fellowship Group.  These groups will have something of a re-launch in September, and it would be a really good time to join a group, if you are not currently part of one.

 But I know there are lots of reasons why people don’t join a group.  For example, some people say …

 1)     ‘I can’t see the point.’  Well, the groups meet for three purposes: to study the Bible together, to pray for one another’s needs, and to make good Christian friends.  None of those can really be done in the short time we have together on Sunday mornings.

 2)     ‘I don’t know the Bible well enough.’  But these groups are not for experts; they are for learners.  Most Christians, including those in Fellowship Groups, feel that they don’t know the Bible well enough, and you don’t need to know it well in order to come.

 3)     ‘I’ve never been able to pray aloud.’  That’s O.K.  You don’t have to. Most groups have a time when people can pray aloud, but not everyone does, and God hears our silent prayers just as well.  Of course, as you get to know people better, you may find yourself getting braver … but don’t be put off by those who seem more confident than you.

 4)     ‘I can’t make the commitment’.  Now it is true that joining a Fellowship Group is a commitment.  There’s not much point joining a group and turning up twice a year (and it makes life quite tricky for the leaders).  But the groups only meet for two evenings a month, and if you can’t make a meeting you only have to say so in advance.  We all know that many people live with pressures of work and family and other involvements.

 5)     ‘I don’t want to get stuck in a group for ever.’  That is understandable! Group leaders know that some people will join for a while, and then take time out, or move to a different group.  In fact, you can give it a go, and leave any time you like.

 6)     ‘I can’t get to a group.’  We’ll help you!  There may be a group near your home, or there may be someone else from the group that could give you a lift. Most groups meet in the evening, but some meet during the daytime.  And there are groups meeting on most days of the week.  In due course we’ll be asking about days and times that would work best for you.

 7)     ‘I just don’t want to.’  Nobody is going to force you!  But we do want you to know that we think you are missing out.  God uses these groups as a great blessing to many people.  They are a wonderful means of growth in Christian life and faith; they enrich your experience of God and of your church.  They are places of pastoral support, so that when something happens in your life there is a ready-made group that will pray and help if you want them to. God knows and loves us as individuals, but he calls us to follow him along with others.  Do all you can to walk the Christian journey in close fellowship with other Christians.  After all, Jesus himself worked closely with a small group of twelve.

 Watch out for more on this subject before long.

 And please pray for the Holiday Club which takes place at St. John’s during the last week of July.

With all best wishes – James.