tie rom 'gngi

^ . . . Report from a feam ministry challenging M^T"

f a post-Chrlstlan nation with the claims ot Christ
Janet Baines
Debbie Davis
Bev Mulllns
202 Kingfield Rd.
Coventry CV6 5PL
Vol. 3 No, 6
Steve & Lee Tate
1 Marlborough Rd,
Coventry CV2 4EM
Roger Edrlngton
59 Cambridge St.
Coventry CVl SHU
March 1976
Jan (Killebrew) Bowen
Top Flat
8 Norfolk St,
Spon End
Coventry CVl 3BX
American Correspondents:
Mr. & Mrs. C. L. Davis
1010 N. Monroe St.
Lincoln, II. 62656 U.S.A.
TIME TO 60
Edrington to Ejlington
Move for Mullins
1+1=1
With Coventry and Erdington only about a
30 minute drive apart, we intend to be two
parts of one ministry. Of course, we will
operate separately in our churches and most
decisions must be made from local knowledge.
Yet we intend to operate closely enough to
gether that we will be encouragement to one
another and perhaps work together in special
projects. The Epistle from England will re
main basically the same and will perhaps be
divided into two reports to save confusion.
how we know
One of the aspects of the philosophy of
our ministry that we've never tired of tell
ing is, "We're trying to work ourselves out
of a job," It is understandable, then, that
when the small Church of Christ in the Erd-
ington (get those letters straightl) district
of Birmingham asked us to come to help them,
we considered it seriously.
We knew that the Church in Coventry wasn't
perfect and hadn't reached American Church
Growth ideals of IjQ in attendance, but we
recognized that it mTght-be time to cut the
number of our team in Coventry and expand
to another area, A gradual move to a self-
I sufficient Church seems the best way to get
I local Christians taking on more responsibil-
I ity v/hich is already happening in Coventry.
The decision has not been a quick one.
The Erdington Church, averaging about 15 in
-Sunday-atteud-ance", "tooke-d" atr-frany "atrerna-^
tives before they approached us. Their three
deacons(no elders) see our future ministry
as the only alternative besides closing the
church. We prayed and discussed for months
before we finally came to a decision and
even then waited a few more months to be
sure. We have been firmly committed that
the move is at the impulse of God.
A week of visitation last summer proved
that there was a great deal of potential in
the area. Even this week, a couple from the
area will be talking with us about Christ.
But we have not moved yet, Bev and Roger
(with the others) are striving diligently to
do as much work as they can while they are
in Coventry.
SO...
If you need us come October (Lord willing),
v/e'll be in Coventry and Erdington until it's
time to go again.
~ <^-f',-,In_Octobe^j'i it will be time to go. Leav-
/"Trig a't'^iirof four to continue the Coventry
''v.jitt>J?k-,''''Bev and Roger will be joined by two
Qz others to begin a "new" work. Starting
fresh in this work will be Penny Creasey(28)
\'7 of Lincoln, 111. and Michelle Wegwart (22)
of Hull, Yorkshire, EngTan^"' Penny is a
/ graduate of Lincoln Christian College and
m Eastern Illinois University. She has just
completed five years as LCC's Dean of Women
^ and brings a variety of Christian experience
Vl. to the work. Jiichelle, the daughter of A-
merican "missionaries" to England, spent a
year at LCC and intends to receive her degree
in English Literature/Linguistics from Hull
University this year. Having lived in Eng^
land for the past^l4 years, she helps to
bridge the Anglo-Ameflean barriers.
new
ROGER, DEBBIE, JANET (J.B.), STEVE, LEE, JAN, (SEATED) BEV EPISTLE FROM ENGLAND
Lincoln Christian Church
204 N. McLean Street
Lincoln, IL 62656
Mission Services
rompton, ind. 46049
Roger
Non Profit
Bulk Rate
U.S. Postage Paid
Lincoln, IL 62656
Permit if76
Tour Investnent In Us: prayer
Many times in the work here I find myself
going around by my own steam. Needless to
say I usually end up empty, frustrated and
fruitless in my work.
There is a constant need for each of us
and you to re-evaluate what we are doing,
where we are going, and ask if we have push
ed the Lord out. Instead of counting on the
Lord to guide me and use me where He wills,
often I find that I have set my priorities
on having the most way out things for my
Theophilus group, or the most visits to the
most difficult and undesirable people, etc.
I have discovered a real joy in my prayer
life lately and I wish to share this with
you. I have found the more I lay my inner
struggles, my worries and concern for the
ministry, my fears, insecurities, and in
adequacies at the feet of my Lord, the more
I am free to get to work. X have found it
a real thrill seeing prayer answered about
people for whom I have felt particulary bur
dened. There is a real comfort and a special
feeling that comes when these things happen.
The future no longer worries me as I have
a Lord who is Lord of today and tomorrow. I
must constantly keep today in His hands.
Needless to say, my old self comes and
really messes things up. I find myself draw
ing to the old familiar ways and becoming
really uptight and sensitive and withdrawn.
I am certain that it is because of the pray
ers of you back home that the Lord daily
convicts, and not only me but each of us to
return to Him.
I believe that things here would not have
been what they are if you at home did not
love Him, us, the people here, and did not
ask the Lord to guide, direct and work out
His will so that His kingdom may grow.
Keep loving and asking. You are a vital
part of the Kingdom.
J. B.
Briefly Noted:
Blooming
Jesus said, "I tell you there is joy a-
mong the angels in heaven over one sinner
who repents." I'm sure that there must have
been double joy when Noel and Carole Hastings
gave their lives to Christ and were baptized
into Him.
Noel came on really strong against the
Christian faith in an Investigation Group a-
bout a year ago. But Noel found some ans
wers that he had never known before. Carole
wasn't really concerned; she thought "every
one went to heaven." But she started believ
ing even more quickly than Noel. After six
weeks of special investigation, they (with
others) were involved in a weekly Bible
Study on the Book of John. Always with
plenty of questions and discussion, theymove-
ed on to study the Book of Acts. And mean
while, they were becoming regular in Church
attendance.
Months of struggle were involved and they
were sometimes up and down. But constant
witness and prayer from family and friends
have once again shown us that God continues
to supply and use each of us to advance His
Kingdom. Robin is Noel's brother. Robin
and Noel have two more brothers, a sister,
a mother, and lots of other people whom they
would like to see do the same, Noel and Car
ole have two children our first family
(with children) to accept Christ. Their
lives have really blossomed since accepting
Jesus.
Jan and Roger
*In five post-Sunday evening service meet
ings, 16-20 Christians have been preparing
for OUTREACH TO ASIANS. We're not going to
Asia, sillyJ England (and especially Coven
try) has vast numbers of Asian Immigrants
(largely Indian and Pakistani). The program,
"Who is My Neighbor?" prepared by an evangel
ical English mission, formed an excellent
basis for our preparation. We studied Islam,
Hinduism, and Sikhism, the major religions,
as well as dealing with practical issues of
recognizing their differences and how to re
late to Christ to their cultures and idea-
ologies.
*We have just begun new Tuesday night BIBLE
STUDIES: Isaiah, Romans, and the General E-
pistles (John, Peter, Jude).
*JAN AND PETE BOWEN intend to be in the USA
March 29 to April 22. Friends may contact
them at 1533 Houston, Muskogee, Oklahoma
74401, Telephone (918)682-3812.
*A new Investigation Group has begun with
work friends of Robin's. Work has more than
its obvious purpose. Christians are sure of
that.
*There are 1,500 Mormon Missionaries in the
British Isles right now. Eight in Coventry.
What a challenge to the Truthi
Building Bigger Barns
Plans for the extension of the tiny build
ing in which our church meets are now well
under way. They said it couldn't be done,
but we did receive permission to purchase
three feet* of extra land to the side of the
building. This extra little bit will change
an Sh foot extension to an 11% foot one - a
much more worthwhile and workable proposi
tion. We expected the kind of opposition a-
gainst us having more land which we've re
ceived for years, but this time with much
prayer,**it passed through the Town Planners
with no opposition.
We have been committed to this project for
quite a while now and have raised jr7,000
(about $14,500) of the estimated jf12,000
(about $25,000) needed to complete the exten
sion and the remodeling required. This money
received includes some generous gifts from
individuals in our congregation as well as
from other churches. We are trying to learn
real stewardship to make this project possi
ble without either going in debt or hampering
the existing program.
Soon many of us (Americans included) will
be giving up our days off and vacations to
grab the picks, shovels, and trowels to build
together something we hope to use to extend
His kingdom in the hearts of men.
Steve
*We realize Americans think in acres instead
of feet, but land is more occupied in a coun
try of 900 people per square mile (England)
than in a country with just over 60 per square
mile (USA). We also still think being surround
ed by 13 high rise apartment buildings is a
strategic position of influence.
**Ours, not the Town Planners.
.. . Report from a team ministry challenging
f a post-Chrlstlan nation with the claims of Christ
Janet Balnea
Debbie Davis
Bev Mulllns
202 Klngfleld Rd.
Coventry CV6 5PL
Vol. 3 No. 10
Steve & Lee Tate
1 Marlborough Rd,
Coventry CV2 4EN
Roger Edrington
59 Cambridge St.
Coventry CVl 5HLI
July 1976
Jan (Killebrew) Bowen
Top Flat
8 Norfolk St,
Spon End
Coventry CVl 3BX
American Correspondents:
Mr, & Mrs, C, L. Davis
1010 N, Monroe St,
Lincoln, II. 62656 U.S,A,
Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor.,,"
The other side of the Bi-Centennial.
"England!, England!, England!
"Yanks go home. Yanks get out! Wogs go
home! We are the English boys!"
It began innocently enough - twenty or
so out to the park for games after the
evening service. Seven Anglo-Americans,
one Indian and the usual mixture of Brit
ish. All Christians or "nearly so." The
players were enjoying a good session - with
even some neighborhood boys joining in.
Then I noticed them. Six or eight teens
and pre-teens carrying a big British flag
marching around the field chanting. At
first I thought it nothing unusual - just
some football fans warming up their cheers
for the next match. But then I noticed
what they were saying, "Yanks go home!
Wogs get out! We are the Eng--lish!"
I am well aware that the phrase "Yanks
go home!" has not been uncommon in many
places throughout the world. And many tim^s
it has been hurled with some good reasons.
But surely never justly over a game! Yet
there it was again - these young boys were
definitely shouting at me and my "Yank"
friends.
It all ended innocently enough with ev
eryone going home to fish 6c chips - the one
sided shouting match only a memory. But the
memory brought some solemn reflections tome.
Those boys don't understand the broader
issues of our day. They certainly don't
understand why I and my "Yank" friends have
come from America to help a struggling church
in Coventry. They probably only understand
that they live in a bad part of town, the
economy's bad, dad's out of work, too many
immigrants, too few jobs, and outsiders
ROGER, DEBBIE, JANET (J.B.), STEVE, LEE, JAN, (SEATED) BEV
take what they can't have. So to strike out
against those who are different, the "Yanks"
and the W.O.G.S. (Western Oriental Gentle
men, I.e., Asians) is the one thing that
makes sense.
And isn't that a natural thing for people
to do? To find an underdog to kick a
minority to oppress, to make yourself feel
M.gger and better and self-righteous, to
have a scape-goat to blame your problems on.
And here as the economy worsens so do relat
ions between immigrants and 'native' Britons.
But here is one place where Jesus says,
"Follow me." Follow Him.where He went in
search of the underdogs - the poor, the blind,
the prostitutes and beggars, even the lepers
oh, those smelly, ugly lepers! Jesus
stood beside them to heal and to save, look-
ing out for their interest before own.
This simple leading of the Lord does not
give details to the complex political ans
wers needed. But it does tell me where I
need to be in specific situations. I re
member the ghetto where I tried to stand be
side my black brothers and was cursed for
my skin color. Now I am jeered for my nat
ionality for other reasons. And in the fu
ture I may be called to stand beside a Church
with many underdogs - the Asians, the immi
grants, the poor, old, and sick, the alco
holics, the lonely.
This is not to my credit for outstanding,
selfless service. This is simply where His
steps have gone before and where He bids /
believers to follow. He too was jeered and
mocked for things he did not do.
Steve
EPISTLE FROM ENGLAND
Lincoln Christian Church
204 N. McLean Street
Lincoln, IL 62656
Missions Services
Box 177
Kempton, IW 46049
6
Non Profit
Bulk Rate
U.S. Postage Paid
Lincoln, IL 62656
Permit #76
MS in SS
(Holy Spirit in Sunday School)
We have recently given much thought to
our Sunday School program - hoping to im
prove the overall structure. We want the
children to have balanced growth in know-
lege, feeling, and worship (mind, heart,
and soul). As a result, we hope to begin
a two year teaching scheme which will in
volve a variety of teaching methods and
learning experiences. We plan to follow
the Christian calendar, celebrating events
and worship along with the records of the
early Church.
Pentecost Sunday was a good opportunity
to attempt teaching by experience. Joel
and Jesus (two of our boys) told of the
coming of the Holy Spirit. Teachers spoke
various foreign languages; the children
made rushing wind sounds and each wore a
"tongue as of fire" badge. We read that
the disciples were praising God in the var
ious languages so we closed our time sing
ing a praise chorus. Of course we couldn't
go into great depths, but I'm sure they
have a basic understanding of who the Holy
Spirit is and what He does for Christians.
Planning graded lessons for a two year
period is a big task, but I'm sure of the
Spirit's help and the need to help our
young people to grow. We do have willing
teachers who will begin to pool their know
ledge and resources to help each other in
lesson preparation. The potential is limit
less ... as long as we are in God's hands.
Debbie
From a Questionaire
"I see most Churches as empty buildings
... I don't really understand the word
'God* ... I used to pray - but that was
only when I needed help. Now I don't; I
think it is unfair to myself and the ideas
of Jesus ... I believe that parts of the
Bible hold some truth . . . Christianity
in its true sense is always relevant. It
is only the way that it is taught that has
to be changed in any period of time."
These answers were the response of one
of the teens who is involved in a new Teen
Investigation Group. Obviously, she's not
consistent in her thinking, but her impres
sions convey an awareness of some real depth
in Christianity. In an attempt to meet the
needs of people Tike'^Bev Burke and two other
teens, Helen (a Coventry Christian) and I
have modified the Investigation Group to
fit teenage needs.
The two main factors which have made the
sessions effective and relevant are the con
tent and the general attitude (openness).
To produce openness we've said, "Feel free
to disagree and discuss; we're not trying
to bulldoze our way in." So, we've become
friends, able to discuss and enjoy Christ
ian ideas. For content, we concentrated on
the basics. Who is God? Who is Jesus?
Is the Bible relevant? Who is the Holy
Spirit?, etc. Various articles provided
background for the sessions.
There are visible results. Bev certain
ly has come a long way from when she first
wrote the above answers. Dave, though quiet,
has expressed a real seriousness about Christ
ianity. Janet wants to be immersed although
she wishes to wait until the final session
iq finished; that session is regarding the
meaning and method of being a Christian.
Bev
Pleased as Punch
Our Christian display in Coventry's busy
shopping Precinct (See February Epistle)
had one change of clothes and then finish
ed in mid March. But the display was not
without its influence - locally and nation
ally.
PUNCH, a glossy, national weekly maga
zine made mention of us in their February 18
issue. Their reporters were in Coventry
and other parts of the middle of England
"to answer the question: dead centre, or
living middle?" In Punch's usual v/itty but
satirical style, our display gets just a
paragraph and a sentence in "The Long and
Short of the Midlands:"
So the shops in the Precinct keep busy
enough and presumably will do so until
the money runs out. Any doubts they may
have must surely be dispelled by the slogan
above the Corporation Street exit: reas-
suringly^ it says, "God still loves the
world".
Whether He still loves Wolverhampton
is a moot point. At the north-west end of
a lir runr ig fr-n Co->ntry hrougl-
ri V
Well, at least somebody saw our display.
And don't "they" always say, "For every
person who writes, so many others were in
fluenced."
Our last attempt at display was more
simple than the first. In Reader's Digest
contest style, we proclaimed, "YOU COULD
BE A WINNER!I SEE NAMES BELOW." We print
ed a long list of names including "Everyone"
and "You", to show that every man is what
the sign said (Romans 3:10), "But God Still
Loves You" was the reassuring remedy. An
other window showed that "Jesus Gives JOY
For All People." Cardboard figures and
mannequins depicted the different types of
people. On the final side, we said in bold
print:
COME & JOIN
YOUNG & OLD WHO HAVE PROVED
THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS
TRUE
By the Evidence & In Their Own Lives
CHURCH OF CHRIST HILLFIELDS
Perhaps no one came and joined then, but
they might ... And we'll be pleased as....
Roger
Vl'
^ . . . Report from a team ministry challenging -%, # 9%
* a post-Chrlstlan nation with the claims of Christ '%J
Janet Balnea
Debbie Davis
Bev Mullina
202 Klngfield Rd.
Coventry CV6 5P1,
Bids
Vol. 4 No. 1
Steve & Lee Tate
49 Huntingdon Bd.
Coventry CV5 6PT
Roger Edrington
59 Cambridge St.
Coventry CVl SHU
He was sitting on the ground, in the
middle of a cow field-cum-campground. His
dinner plate was on his head like a hat,
his Japanese chopsticks (a surprise gift to
all the kids during one of the mission
talks) in his hands and he was beating away
merrily on his 'drum' -- an old dried cow
pilel
Little 7 year old Paul was one of 23
children from our Sunday School sharing
with us three nights and four days of
camping.
Kids never cease to amaze me. We had
many 'types' of kids and some of the be
havior problems we faced I remember from
my own former camp days. However, that
didn't seem to help me handle theral
We ran into some of the oldest pranks
in camp history. (One amazing thing about
kids is that their camp pranks never seem
to change.) One night we had an outdoor
toilet tent dismantled while occupied and
a f(aw g)ttFTTipt-pH raiHg on thp girls and
boys tents by the opposite sex. Our kids
have even reached camp romance stage. But
since the kids aren't from Christian homes
and none are yet Christians themselves,
they have no real reason to live by Christ
ian moral standards.
The theme for our camp was 'The King Is
Coming' on which our teachings and songs
were, for the most part, based.
Our third year of camp had our first
missionary talks this year and the kids
loved it. Some even expressed a real in
terest in missions and yet have never made
a personal committment to Christi
One little girl, whose parents have re
cently become Crhistians, has developed a
unique and beautiful friendship with God.
She showed me how to thank Him for all
things from Tuck shops (the canteen) to
cow piles - "without them there wouldn't
be any cov7" and she. I.oves co^p. -
ROGER, DEBBIE, JANET (J.B.). STEVE. LEE, JAN, (SEATED) BEV
September 1976
Jan (Klllebrew) Bowen
Top Flat
8 Norfolk St.
Spon End
Coventry CVl 3BX
Ainerlcan Correspondents:
Mr. & Mrs. C. L. Davis
1010 N, Monroe St,
Lincoln, 11. 62656 U.S.A.
At the end of the four days we had seen
many joys and yet tears, fights, and hurts
as well. The thing which impressed me
most was the importance and difficulty in
reaching these young people. The challenge
is overwhelming but we have a Savior who
can accomplish the impossible and work
where we are weakesti Praise Him.
An evaluation on this camp is difficult,
but I pray that our King is working in the
lives of those 23 children.
Janet
From Rejection to Repentance
I have knbwn Marion Welton for near
ly three years and during that time we
have had Bible studies and many discus
sions on being a Christian. About two years
ago, Marion became very interested in ac
cepting Jesus. When learning of the Truth
and the-eoa^-of-dlaci-pleship, Marion chose
not to accept Jesus as her Lord and Savior.
Our friendship continued but our studies
and discussions stopped. She avoided the
subject of Christianity.
While visiting Marion one day, she told
me of an experience she had had. This ex
perience convicted her to make a decision
about her life. On^August 1st when Marion p
was baptized, her comments describe her
feelings, "It's great, I feel so relieved,
I'm glad it's over." It's really just be
ginning for Marion. The pressure is gone
and she can begin to start her new life
with Christ.
Jan
Editor's note:
Her 8 year old says, "She's better than
before. She used to lose her temper but
now she doHari"'~LT"^ "Jesus cTianges
EPISTLE FROM ENGLAND
Lincoln Christian Church
204 N. McLean Street
Lincoln, IL 62656
Mlsalons tiiervicaa
/Box 177
/ Kempton, IK 46049
Not) Profit
Bulk Rate
li.S. Postage Paid
Lincoln, IL 62656
Permit ms
tP
j
Not Alone in Europe
Many thanks to God for His leading me to
Lugano (Switzerland) Christian Service Camp!
The camp has been designed to bring English
speaking people in Europe together for ten
days of fellowship and learning.
I came away with much respect for those
people who for the first few years see no
visible results because they must learn
the language and customs of a foreign coun
try. What great patience and diligence
these people develop! Please keep them in
your prayers; Europe is a very difficult
field in which to work.~^
-- - V
Added Extras
Two new types of meetings were success
ful recently. "Full Fellowship Sunday" is
a goal for every Sunday, but on this day
we made a special effort to get all our
members and friends together for the whole
day. A good crowd turned up to enjoy the
services, pot-luck lunch, sharing and re
creation. Another Sunday evening was
TESTIMONY EVENING. Songs by request were
mixed with testimony by eight different
Christians. Even a non-Christian who is
currently looking for truth rose and test
ified that Jesus was speaking to her
through the life and witness of the people
in our body.
We have begun new Tuesday home Bible
Studies. There are four groups with pos
sibilities of 30-35 in attendance. Isaiah,
Corinthians, the Prison Epistles, and Mat
thew are the topics. We change groups and
books about three times a year.
USA Tour
Roger will be speaking concerning our work
in England in these places. If you would
like to come, please contact local people
for arrangements.
AUGUST
22 Darlington, Indiana
29 a.m. Clarence, Missouri
p.m. Colchester, Illinois
SEPTEMBER
5 a.m. Highview Christian Church
Washington, Illinois
6-7 Missions Emphasis Week
Central Christian College of Bible
Moberly, Missouri
9 Milligan College Convocation
Johnson City, Tennesee
9 Emanuel School of Religion Chapel
Johnson City, Tennesee
18 Body of Christ
Indianapolis, Indiana
12 Colfax, Indiana
16 Great Commission Festival
Lincoln Christian College
Lincoln, Illinois
19 a.m. Bluff Creek Christian Church
Greenwood, Ind1ana
15 or 21 Lincoln Christian Seminary
Lincoln, Illinois
26 Adrian, Missouri
OCTOBER
3 a.m. Central Christian Church
Charleston, Illinois
p.m. South Shores Christian Church
Decatur, Illinois
10 a.m. Nesconset Church of Christ
Nesconset, New York
When Roger &Bev Leave
As I gaze towards my Father's home.
With only a few shining stars in the sky,
I think of a time
When like the stars,
Only a few shining hearts,
Raised themselves towards heaven
In hopeful prayer.
These prayers were not forgotten
And to the Father's glory
Were answered.
And from what was a few, became many,
And like a flower,
Opening its petals to the morning sun,
We raised our heads to the light.
And now the time has come,
For a part of that answered prayer,
To take their spark
Of love and life
And set alight, a dying people,
In Christ's chosen place.
And as I sit,
I begin to wonder;
"What is it, to part with a few
When we gain so many?"
So little a price to pay,
For so great a debt.
Kim Spencer
Kim is 17 years old by birth, 1% years
old by New Birth.
Facing the Issues
Six Christians and one non-Christian
have just finished a six week study, "INTRO
DUCTION TO FRANCIS SCHAEFFER." Using the
three major books of the above author, the
group grappled with major issues confront
ing the disciplines of theology, art, music,
philosophy, and general culture. They es
pecially emphasized the apologetic in an
evangelistic setting.
Many confronted these issues for the
first time and they felt that they were be
ginning to get down to the real meat and
depth of the gospel's implications of meet
ing the attack that the world and the devil
are putting on us. Roger, who led the group,
also gave them essay topics with apologet-
ical relevance on which they may write.
Among other things, the experience of this
study convinces us that many "ordinary
Christians" really want to go deeper in
growing as a Christian. Ministers and el
ders should take this lesson to heart.
Roger
J.A.M.
A sincere "thank-you" goes to the four
students from Lincoln Christian College/
Seminary and Minnesota Bible College who
led J.A.M. (jJesus And Me) Week for twenty
of our 5-8 year olds. From 11:00 a.m. -
3:00 p.m. the children were occupied with
Bible classes, singing, eating, playing,
and going to the park, zoo, and swimming.
The "Mum" of one of the boys said she'd
"never seen that kid as happy and content"
as he was that week. I always appreciate
what we are able to learn about the kids by
being with them for concentrated periods of
time. Another positive result is having
children attend who have never been involved
in any of our other activities - new contacts
both in children and their parents!
Debbie
p
"aV ^ ckadtn^in^ a poil-Ckriilian nalion wtlk ike ciaims of CkrUi "W
Vol. 4 No. 4 December 1976
Many things can change in a month. The long drought which we suffered
this summer has been relieved and with the rain many new blessing have
come. The team of six has changed to two teams of four working inErding-
ton as well as Coventry. With the transfer of Roger and Bev to the new
work in Erdington, we at Coventry lose two very capable ministers. But
what we are gaining is a new sense of responsibility to total ministry a-
mong the whole body here. Our prayers for a smooth transition have been
answered as many are seeing more fully the vision of the whole church
ministering to itself as well as witnessing to the world.
This has meant that the "More mature" Christians in our church have
been asking what they can do to spread the word and nurture the new "babes
in Christ." This new sense of responsibility is just what we need and
v;hat we have asked from the Lord ever since we saw the possibility of divid
ing the team. Essential to working oneself out of a job is training for
and then giving up - responsibility.
We see many indications that the Lord has led the timing of these
changes. The growth we are experiencing - in quantity and quality - is
more consitent than ever before. The number now stands at 15 baptisms in
1976 with some others under conviction even now. Many of those who have
recently made commitments to the Lord have come simply through the wit
ness of their Christian friends and the preaching of the Gospel at our
services. This is in contrast to those in the past who have needed lots
of calling and study through long term methods such as our Investigation
Groups before being able to even consider making a decision.
So we have needed to "shift gears" a bit to be able to give these new
Christians the spiritual nourishment they will need. We are asking some
of the older Christians to take a special "shepherding" responsibility
over the new Christians. This will involve first just being a friend to
these new ones, getting to know them and helping them find their place in
our fellowship. Also we hope these "shepherds" can encourage the new
Christians in their growth and watch for difficult times when they will
need guidance from older Christians. Basically we hope this will mean no
one is overlooked. We realize the problems involved when so many new
Christians come all at once into a small fellowship, and we take very ser
iously our task to bring each one to "The fullness of the stature of Christ"
Steve
N R
After 3h very short
weeks in the states, I
find myself back in Cov
entry trying to convince
myself I was really home.
I appreciate greatly the
love and encouragement I
was given by all of you.
Coming home for a break and to
report on the ministry requires a
bit of adjusting. Not only did I
leave one culture and step into an
other, but I found myself stepping
from the shadows of being a team
minister in a busy little church in
to the spotlight of my family and
home church. That was greati But
the whole process has been reversed
now that I'm back in Coventry. Af
ter a few days of the "blues", I'm
making the necessary readjustments.
Thank you all for making my visit
home and my ministry here so very
meaningful. ~
Bits Sl Pieces
**Please be in prayer for us as the
Christmas season approaches. We
have many ideas and plans to make
special use of this season and we
need to be sure of doing the Lord's
will.
**The extension of the Coventry
Church building is coming slowly
but surely. In a few weeks, we
are hoping to put on the roof.
*^Please be in prayer for Leon and
Janis. The couple are very inter
ested in becoming Christians, but
wish to have a period of study in
order to understand.
**Recently, we had a social even
ing for those who have been Christ
ians for a year or less. The team
member's purpose was to spend some
time just with themi
Janet
I
Debbie
NowAChristtan
When asked our door-to-door survey/witness questions nearly 2 years ago,
PAM THORNTON commented that she thought herself to be a Christian and
saw no need to come to church. But she did say she would ask her husband
about a possible Bible study.
Two years passed and Pam came to her first service on Easter. Since
that time she has come to the services regularly, started coming to a week
ly Bible Study, and talked to her friends about what she was finding out
about Jesus.
Like so many, she wanted to try to get things sorted out before accept
ing Jesus. Finally realizing that this is impossible, she decided to ac
cept Jesus and let Him sort out her life.
She was baptized into Christ and now rejoices that her life is being
changed by Jesus. Her friends have remarked about her changes. Already
Pam has witnessed and invited them to find the same personal relationship
that she is finding with Jesus.
As a mother of four young boys, Pam is anxious that her family know the
love of Jesus too. But being divorced now and without a job, she has many
pressures which compete for her attention. She is not unlike many single
parents in our community who must face these responsibilities alone. We
hope as Jesus becomes real in her life, many others might see how the Lord
can help us face any situation. Jan
Getting A-HEAD
The Church is the body of Christ - so says the Bible.
Work, work, work we must, there's no one else to
do it. Plan, plan, plan it's got to be done or e:
it'll all fall apart. We are the body.
Year after year, we work, work, work, plan, plan, plan we are the body.
Die, die, die --we're dying. What is wrong? What else can we possibly
do?
Help, we need help to work, work, work, plan, plan, plan it's all
got to be done or else it'll fall apart. We are the body.
"S T 0 P i I am the head: Come unto me all you who are heavy lad
en and I will give you rest. For yoke is easy and burden is
light:"
It seems that the Church members of Erdington need a new headship,^and
it has become our task to bring this body to the Head.
As well as evangelize.
/4ccc*tt OH
I thought I had begun to gain an
ear for the British accent while in
Coventry. Then I moved to Birming
ham - only 25 miles away. I have
learned that there is no such thing
as a universal British accent.
It is really impossible to share
the "broad Brummie" (Birmingham) ac
cent on paper, but I shall try with
these few words:
..1
K.S. Neale
Bib (baby type)
Eight
Tea
A.
B.
I'm told, regarding all the other
accents in Great Britain, "You ain't
heard nothin' yet."
Penny
Kye S. Nyle
beeb
ahit
tu^y
aye
bye
Bev
'InTheBeginning...'
Thursday, October 28....
Today 43 children showed up on
a cold, rainy afternoon and were
introduced to Jesus-some of them
for the first time. During two
packed hours, we tried to share our
concern for them as individuals and
our knowledge of Jesus as a living
person. Nearly all of them came
from non-Christian homes and we
sent them away with an invitation
to a new Sunday School, a "Jesus
and Me" time.
Sunday, November 7,.,
This morning 17 interested child
ren between 5 and 12 years of age
came and heard about a real God who
in real space and time created a
real world which was originally per
fect. It was not about some myth-
(continued back page)
(from previous page)
leal power who resides somewhere in
' the universe oblivious of man, his
environment, his needs....
It is a small beginning, but it
is a beginning, and we want to ut
ilize this precious one hour a week
to break down, with the truth of
the Word, the inherited scepticism
of these kids.
Michelle
NO EPISTLE NEXT MONTH
The Epistle is published eleven
times yearly. We take a break at
Christmas time. Well, not exact
ly a break - we're so busy with
outreach at Christmas time that we
just don't think we should take
the time.
So, we wish you a
HAPPY JESUSCHRISTMAS!
** Janet Baines and Beverly
Mullins are going TO BE IN THE USA
for four weeks imiTiediately after
Christmas.
and that Jesus will be the center
of your celebration.
aini
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