Church Support Fellowship
By Roland Burrows and Malcolm H Watts
Helping Smaller Churches – A Modern-day Macedonian Call
We warmly commend the following to the interest and prayers of our readers – Ed.
In the book of Acts, we read of the Apostle Paul’s three missionary journeys:
In the first missionary journey (Acts 13:1–14:28), Paul travelled from Syrian Antioch to the seaport of Seleucia, there embarking for the island of Cyprus. Then, sailing to Pamphylia in Asia Minor, he preached in various places before sailing home to Syrian Antioch. This first missionary journey was evangelistic in nature, the apostle preaching the gospel to those who had never before heard it.
The second missionary journey (15:36-18:22), took place because Paul came to hear of false teaching affecting some of the newly-founded churches and, along with various resultant troubles, were undermining both faith and peace. Travelling to Galatia, the apostle, along with Silas, revisited some of the churches; and, directed by the Holy Spirit, they eventually arrived at Troas, one of the most important towns in Asia. While there, Paul had a vision in which a Macedonian man appeared, urging him to cross the Aegean Sea to render them much needed help. Thus, led into Europe, they preached in a number of cities and then returned to Antioch.
On the third missionary journey (18:23-21:16), Paul visited no new areas, but he engaged in a teaching, confirming and assisting mission. After preaching in Ephesus, he travelled to Macedonia and Achaia, then ministered again in Troas, before he journeyed back to Jerusalem.
The second and third missionary journeys had this in common: they were not really pioneering ventures, but they were mainly – although not exclusively – efforts to assist churches, organising, directing, and supporting them in their important work. This is movingly illustrated by the Macedonian whom Paul saw in the vision, saying, “Come over into Macedonia, and help us.” (16:9)
As then, so now: there are many churches in the United Kingdom that need help; some founded many years ago, others more recently, and some believers who long to see a church established in their area.
In response to this urgent, pressing need that the Church Support Fellowship was set up in 2019. Dewi Higham of Cardiff first conceived the idea, sharing it with various ministerial friends. A steering committee was formed which included Malcolm Watts (chairman), Roland Burrows, Richard Clarke, Dewi Higham, Jonathan Northern, Neil Pfeiffer and John Thackway.
Subsequently, Roland Burrows was asked, on behalf of the Church Support Fellowship to be the contact with the churches. This he kindly agreed to do.
The deep concern was for the spiritual state of churches. The desire was to provide help and encouragement for those churches which were in evident need, and to support believers seeking under God to establish new churches. The Committee was united in its resolve to support churches believing the Bible to be the inspired (God-breathed), infallible and inerrant Word of God, and the supreme authority as the rule of faith and practice; which also uphold the great biblical doctrines of the Evangelical and Reformed Faith (as set forth in the Westminster Confession of Faith [1647], the Savoy Declaration of Faith and Order [1658], and the Baptist Confession of Faith [1689]), and which seek to preserve the worship prescribed in Holy Scripture, characterized by reverence, the centrality of God’s Word, emphasis upon true, spiritual experience, leading to holiness of heart and life, devotion to Christ and His service, and the spreading of the gospel of full and free salvation, received by faith alone.
The need was then – and is still – perceived to be very great. All over the country, there are small but sound churches in real need of help. With some, the problem is reduced numbers in the congregation; some need orthodox, gifted preachers; and others lack dedicated people to help organize Sunday School, Youth Work or other outreach activities, or, perhaps, someone to manage the church’s finances, to set up a website, to give legal advice, or to recommend improvements to chapel buildings. The needs are many, various, and often very pressing.
Some of these churches are located in good positions, surrounded by houses and estates, presenting real opportunities for evangelism; others are found in country districts where there are few gospel-preaching churches, and so it is vital that they be preserved for future generations. In the majority of such churches, there are concerned, warm-hearted, and sound Christian believers; but the problem is, they are generally few in number, and, in many cases, they are elderly and infirm, and unable to offer practical help and fulfil their own hopes. They may have good chapel buildings, well-equipped and well-maintained, but, for various reasons, they are unable to use their facilities for the advance of the gospel and the spiritual benefit of their communities. In short, they need help, and surely the onus is upon those of us who may be able, with God’s help, to do something for them, thus ensuring a continuing witness at this present time and in the future years.
Recent years have witnessed the closing of many churches and chapels which have been sold for conversion into flats, warehouses, temples, mosques, sports-halls, nightclubs, and so on. Seeing this, we cannot but recall that these places had once been centres of gospel witness and activity, established with prayer and sacrifice, some being willing even to mortgage their own homes in order to see them built and preserved. Can we stand by, unmoved and undisturbed by such calamitous developments? Should we not rather consider in our hearts what may and what should be done to prevent further decline and terrible, irretrievable loss?
There is a Macedonian cry from many struggling causes today and we surely must listen to that cry “Come over and help us”, and respond to it in a way which is bold and courageous. In this critical and perhaps decisive time, let us devote thought and effort to the noble and worthy task of strengthening the things that remain until, by divine grace, we see the churches of Christ flourishing and prospering once again, to His greater glory.
Such a recovery is in the power and will of God. We believe that with all our hearts. Yet are we called to be “labourers together with God.” (1 Corinthians 3:9); and we must not, even in the worst of times, lose heart, because our Lord has said, “I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18) “When the Lord shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory.” (Psalm 102:16)
We believe there is much that can be done at this time – and it must be done. Could you:–
- make the cause of God and Truth the great burden of your prayers;
- enquire concerning the state of the churches;
- support, as you are able, struggling fellowships of the Lord’s people;
- encourage your church to look beyond itself to the needs of other, perhaps smaller churches;
- maybe encourage such churches by occasionally visiting them on special occasions;
- ask if there is any way that you might be able to help them;
- consider making a financial gift to support their good work;
- mention to others, gifted and called to preach, the need to minister in these smaller churches;
- if required and requested, be willing to allow your minister, in addition to his own pastoral work, to take some oversight and care of a weak and needy church;
- do whatever lies in your power to show them spiritual interest and concern.
- share our vision, please consider supporting Church Support Fellowship prayerfully and perhaps financially. To find out how to give, please contact Pastor Richard Clarke, treasurer, for details:
In Sunday School, we may have once sung the following words:
Are you sitting idly, still there’s work to do;
In the Master’s vineyard, there’s a place for you.
Today, these words, although perhaps familiar, need to be recalled and given more serious thought, because “there’s a work to do.”
The Church Support Fellowship is absolutely committed to this work. Through God’s enabling grace, we have already been able to show spiritual concern, help with gospel outreach, arrange for the setting-up of websites, advise on matters relating to property, help with financial gifts, and provide biblical and pastoral counsel. CSF is also establishing a specific Pastors’ Support Fund for assisting pastors in smaller churches, many of whom are “tent-makers” because their churches cannot support them fully. God with us, we hope to do more – and still more – for the good of our churches, and for the honour and glory of our God’s blessed and glorious name.
Our Lord was moved by the action of the woman in Bethany, who anointed Him with “spikenard very precious”, saying of her “she hath done what she could.” (Mark 14:8) We pray He will observe and approve our efforts today, and graciously say, “‘they have done what they could.”
Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. (Ephesians 3:21)