TOGETHER IN THE LORD
Category: Main ArticleBy: Dennis Davies
As Chairman of the Christian Endeavour Union of Great Britain & Ireland (quite a mouthful!), I attend various meetings up & down the country, renewing friendships and re-affirming relationships with God’s people.
These visits sometimes provide an opportunity to go to Endeavour Societies and Churches I have not been to before and to meet new Christian friends. This happened at the recent meetings of GB&I in Ireland. You will read elsewhere in this edition of CE News of the barbecue and the CE meeting at Eskylane which I went to. I was also able to get to the churches at Clonaneese in Co.Tyrone for their Sunday services. At both Eskylane & Clonaneese, it was good to see the young people actively involved in the services and to meet them and talk to them.
I was reminded of how often, in his letters, St Paul gives thanks, not only for his co-workers in the faith but for all the members of the Christian communities to which he writes. It is particularly noticeable in his letter to the Philippians; read verses 1-6 of his opening chapter.
Paul gives 2 reasons for his thankfulness:
i) because of their partnership in the gospel (v.5) ‘the way in which you have helped me’ [GNB] Christians have a shared commitment in the work of the Gospel
ii) because of God’s work in them as well as in him (v.6) ‘God who began this good work in you, will carry it on until it is ’ [GNB]
Christians have a shared confidence in the promise of the Gospel.
Just to be together with other Christians has to be uplifting. To know we are together in the work is encouraging. To know of others who have the same witness is heartening, and just to share with others in worship is refreshing.
This CE News will tell you of lots of times when Endeavourers have got together and been uplifted. It will also tell of events to come – Conventions, camps and other meetings and activities – which, with the regular meetings of our Societies and services in our churches, provide those opportunities for the support and uplift which every Christian needs, & can give, and of which St.Paul was very much aware.
So let’s give thanks for all the Christians we know and meet, and for those we have yet to meet, and let’s take every opportunity, through Endeavour events and meetings and through holidays in other places, not only to renew friendships with fellow Christians but also to make new Christian friends. By being together in the Lord, we can give and receive encouragement for the doing of His will and work.
I thank God for you all and for the encouragement of knowing that we share in the work and witness for Christ and the Church.
