Neil's Retirement
Neil gave the congregation lots of notice about his approaching retirement, and after more than 23 years of faithful ministry at Bundy it’s come to an end. I’m sure the reality of this hasn’t hit home for many of us, as it hasn’t for me. I realise this is a huge change for the whole church, even for those who are relatively new.
As we reflected on in our services last Sunday from Psalm 103, it should again move us to praise and thanksgiving for Neil and Jayne and their ministry to us and with us.
“My soul, bless the Lord,
and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2 My soul, bless the Lord,
and do not forget all his benefits.” (Psalm 103.1-2)
And chief among those benefits are what David recounts there – forgiveness, redemption, God revealing himself to us. His compassion, grace and abounding faithful love – which know has come most of all to us in Christ Jesus.
But I trust, like me, you can count Neil, and his service and leadership as senior minister, as one of the ‘benefits’ God blessed us with. And as was so wonderfully expressed at the Thanksgiving last Saturday, he preached and proclaimed often the forgiveness and love of God that came to us in Christ. We have so much to be thankful for.
Looking Forward
I also realise that we are now moving into a somewhat uncertain time. I, like you, don’t know how the process will take for the next senior minister to be appointed. Please pray for wisdom, unity and guidance for the Selection Committee. I also value your prayers as I take on extra responsibilities in an interim capacity – leading and pastoring Session, Board and staff teams. I do sense my own weakness and need to rely on God’s grace and provision in this period, seeking His patience, wisdom and strength.
As Neil repeatedly expressed, and we on Sunday said, Gospel ministry and our life as a church together goes on. With his long period of faithful stewardship coming toa close, and without a senior minister in place, we want to continue to preach the Gospel, especially as Easter approaches. We want to keep growing as disciples of Christ, and spurring each other on in love and good deeds and godliness (Hebrews 10:24; Philippians 1:9-11). God has provided us with many faithful people in positions of leadership and responsibility and we are to continue to do our individual part for the building up of the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:16). Please pray that we will be a great encouragement to one another in the weeks and months ahead, and that our sovereign and good God will provide.
Next Sermon Series
In our Sunday services we’ll finish off Mark’s Gospel on Easter Sunday, then be starting a series through 2 Corinthians at all three services. As we’ll be down a preacher, usually the one person will preach at all three services in the coming months. You’ll hear more from Andy and I along with other preachers as well. Please pray for God’s provision grace, guidance and strength for all who preach Sunday by Sunday. The pastoral staff pray that this series in 2 Corinthians, around the theme of ‘Serving in weakness’, will be a great help and encouragement to us all. I feel my only weakness and inadequacy for the task before me, and it prompts me to rest and lean on God’s grace and strength to meet me in my need, and for the work God calls me to. I know through and since covid many of us have sensed our weakness, and feel our lack of capacity, and limit how much we give out. Therefore please pray with me, that God’s Spirit will use this 5 month series through 2 Corinthians to encourage us to see and rely on Christ, who has said, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness’. Also, as Bundy’s leaders and most of us, sense Neil’s absence, please pray this sermon series will encourage those in suffering, and spur us all on in serving with the gifts, opportunities and strength the Lord gives for the building up of the body of Christ.
In Christ,
Clint
