Nick & Marjorie's message for Autumn 2021
What a crazy season we have all just been through! This September, as covid health restrictions are voluntary and vaccination rates are high, it feels a lot like pressing ‘restart’ on church, almost like we are beginning it all over again. There are some practical reasons for this, but most importantly, let us see it as the opportunity to remember why we do what we do. The church is Christ’s body on earth, and The Well is a little sub-section of it. Quite simply, we believe that we are better together.
We are a family of God with a purpose: showing God to Sheffield, serving our neighbourhoods, drawing individuals to know a God who so loves them and helping each other to journey consistently towards Jesus in everyday life.
2020 and early 2021 were tough. We lost many of our normal rhythms and props to the usual Christian life, we all missed seeing other people in person. Those of you who are members of our weekly communities have probably faired better through regular interactions and knowing that friends have prayed and stood with you. In many ways we have seen the best of church life in this last season. But we have spoken to many Well folk who found it harder to stay full of passion.
Instead, it’s been more like keeping one foot in front of another, plodding towards Jesus! For some, our faith lives right now are ‘ticking over’ rather than thriving.
Autumn 2021 is reset time.
We commend you for holding firm in your faith thus far. Let’s go further together. The first call and commandment of Jesus is ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ (Matt 22:37).
This term we focus first on worship and prayer. On gathering as church family into the presence of God. Everything else will fall into place, as we first prioritise the presence of God. Something intangible and divine happens when we gather in corporate worship that cannot happen elsewhere.
Our Sunday preaching series unpacks the ‘why’ of church, it is all about putting our values into action. We really are about the kingdom of God. Organised church helps this, but it isn’t our first priority. As others have said, “it’s not that church has a mission, it’s that our mission on earth has a church.”
At The Well we are all about Every Person, Everywhere, Every Day.
Yes, this is a rebuilding season for church community, and we are greatly encouraged that for many it feels like a new season and a dreaming season. We’ve met lots of you who are sensing a new call and have fresh ideas and vigour. As a church we want to empower each other in this season, as people reassess our lives and purposes, and begin to step into the new thing. This is who we are as a church, so don’t be shy and share your story.
“Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. (Hebrews 10:23-35)
We are expecting God to meet us, refine us, refresh us, and reset us in this next season. We really look forward to seeing you again in person soon.
Nick & Marjorie Allan, joint senior leaders.