On 12th October 2024, Personal Ministry and Community Service visited the Isle of Wight to share the vision of the SEC. The focus was to inspire the church for mission. The Sabbath began with prayer and a lively song service led by Michael and Subrena; the singing was inspirational and rich. Thus, from the outset, there was a sense of awe. Pastor Royston Smith, PM Director of the SEC, led out in prayer and presented a dynamic and interactive Sabbath on the mission of the SEC. The central idea was that the church is the bride of Christ, and everyone is invited to the wedding.
The Sabbath School was divided into small groups of three and four to answer the following questions:
1. What is the mission of the church?
2. How can we ensure that the mission/vision is in line with God’s guidance?
After reading several Bible texts, including Hosea 2:19-23, 1 Peter 2:5, and 1 Thessalonians 1:3, the group concluded that:
a. We must have a Christ-led mission
b. Model Christ in all that we do.
c. Be intentional in all our interactions so that we touch, tell, teach, and lead others to know Christ.
During this session, the SEC mission statement was introduced, pointing to the fact that Christ must be the centre of our lives, our homes, our church, and that we should take Him onto the streets. Furthermore, the Isle of Wight Church was reminded that Sabbath School must be used to build strong relationships within the church and in the community where we live.
In the Sabbath School, Pastor Smith reminded the group that our understanding of church enables us to accomplish its mission. If we do not understand the purpose of a church, then it loses its focus and becomes more like any other institution. Sabbath School should be used to focus us on growing in Christ and creating stronger Christians to be outward-looking rather than just inward-focusing. Although a church organises activities, it is not defined by activities. Churches must be driven by mission. Some churches present many programmes but lack the presence of the Holy Spirit. A church can be busy and may not be driven by mission. Regardless of the strength of a church, it must have a focus on mission. We must remember that the church is the bride of Christ and that we are invited to share in His glory. Christ has the wedding dress and a banquet prepared for each of us. We must be motivated to go into the highways and byways, inviting others to come to this grand feast.
As the interaction among the group continued, it was concluded that a church driven by mission displays love within and without to evidence that the church is in love with God. Or as the Bible declares, “By this shall all people know that you are my disciples when you have love one for the other.” Therefore, a church driven by love is going in the right direction. Having love also shows that God builds us and dwells within us, as we become reflectors of Christ. Being disciples means we are reaching out and mingling with the communities to bring them into the deep intimacy that the bride of Christ fosters.
Church represents a wedding and bridal theme – when we give our best, our thoughts towards others change. Love, hope, and faith grow – genuine love becomes infectious. A mission-driven church is not obsessed with status, gender, and race. As the bride of Christ, it nurtures differences and sees them as strengths rather than weaknesses that hamper growth. By the end of the Sabbath, each group established that we must be intentional in developing relationships – getting to know each other and the people – families, children, non-Christians. Moreover, our church must be welcoming, show acceptance, be helpful, diverse, Christ-centred, and mission-focused. After all, the church is not a social club; it is the bride of Christ.
Continuing this theme in divine worship, Pastor Nerine Barrett, the SEC Community Ministries Leader, shared her perspective on mission, entitled “What’s in Your Hand.” She spent quality time reflecting on the life of Moses growing up in Egypt and being impacted by both his Jewish and Egyptian heritage. She noted that he was not merely born to lead but was groomed for this important role. There were three realities about his early life:
1. He was groomed in the art of war and military competence.
2. He was brought up by high-level military leaders.
3. He was groomed to be king one day.
Regardless of his upbringing, Moses was still hesitant to go before Pharaoh when God conversed with him at the burning bush. Focusing on Exodus 4:1-7, she pointed out that his strength as a shepherd was what he had in his hand – a simple rod. This was essential for walking and guiding the sheep. So, God decided to use it to display His presence, protection, and power. Moses’ rod became a symbol of victory.
God was using what Moses used to lead sheep to lead His charge against the Egyptians to release the Israelites from bondage. The Lord empowered the rod that Moses held in hand and showed him how mightily He could use seemingly useless objects to do mighty and powerful things, even when wielded by mere, powerless mortals. Moses went forth with the rod as his sole belonging, which not only represented that Moses was travelling with only his faith and his hands wide open to utilise the power that God placed in his hand. Moses’ rod was also used to guide, protect, and provide stability for himself and the children of Israel. It was the focal point of every miracle he performed in the name of the Lord.
Often, God places strong and effective gifts and talents in our hands, yet we often fail to realise how powerful they are, and in many more cases fail to realise we have them in our hands to begin with. It is a sin to hold these gifts and not use them to bring glory to God and the enhancement of His work. Pastor Nerine pointed out that we could make so much money if we could sell that rod today but first, we need to find it. She humorously remarked that the money earned from this auction could be used to build churches and spread the gospel. What is stopping us from using “what’s in your own hands” – pride, fear, stubbornness, spiritual blindness, or a lack of understanding of mission?
Finally, we were reminded that God has not called us to be like others or to carry out massive acts and miracles. He is calling us to utilise our small gifts, and He will amplify them in massive ways to His will. If we are willing to use what He has given us, we can be part of the mission. We can use our gifts to change and transform lives. So, use your God-given rod.
After a sumptuous lunch and a "getting to know you" session, the PM Leader, Pastor Royston Smith, and Pastor Nerine Barrett, Community Service team, led out in another powerful interaction session. The focus was on Mindset, Mission, and Message. Pastors Smith and Barrett pointed out that having a closed mindset will impede and stifle mission, but having a growth mindset empowers and liberates the church to try new and innovative ideas. The church members present agreed that they need to be more intentional in looking at what is possible rather than focusing on their limitations.
A day well spent was concluded with the text, Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” The members decided that they will start using their gifts for outreach. Also, they will develop what they have been given to strengthen their lives, homes, church, and communities.