Hello folks.

I'm newly reformed, and currently attend an Evangelical Free church in Kent England, which leans more toward the Arminian persuasion. The only other churches in the local area are Arminian too (at least they don't all believe TULIP) or seeker friendly churches.

I've been finding it increasingly frustrating attending a church where there is no zeal for evangelism, and the teaching (while not in error 99% of the time) misses out important things, like how to actually apply God's Word in practical ways in our life.I also feel that all my friends there are starting to think I've gone a bit weird and too critical etc. The trouble I'm having is that I just don't know what to do... whether to stick it out in this church and bring what I feel I can when I'm preaching, or to go elsewhere. But at the moment elsewhere is not an option as I can't find anywhere that I feel happy attending.

I know there have been other threads on this topic, but I wonder if anyone has any advice?

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Bern
Evangelical
Kent UK

I would be inclined to stay where you are just now. Perhaps the Lord has placed you there for such a time as this. I don't know how regularly you preach but at least you hold some position and authority within the church. if the church misses out important doctrine in its teaching then when you preach be sure and include such important doctrine (without it being perceived as a hobby horse). Never underestimate the far reaching effects of a sermon blessed by the Holy Spirit.

The first thing to do is of course pray the Lord would give the church a zeal for Him. I always feel that struggles and indifference to evangelism and prayer are directly related to the church's view of God. If the church has a correct view of God's character then prayer and evangelism flow from that. Start with the basics and a basic course or small evangelsitic events can get members thinking and even a bit of confidence that can just be the starting board for bigger things to follow in future. In evangelism, the perception by many church members is that evangelism is just for the fanatics. Teach that evangelism is very simple and the responsibility of each memberand lead by example. One new convert can bless the whole church.

I recall when I was a student, a group from the college were invited by two Anglican churches to conduct a mission within their churches. The team were there to help kick start the local believers into being involved in outreach and the team were only there to help get them started. Even a team of students can help out for a short time-that is if you are near a bible college.

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Stuart
Elder, Lambeg Baptist, Northern Ireland, UK

In Him the fulness of the Godhead dwells in bodily form and in Him you are complete (Col 2.9-10)

The Christian is a person who makes it easy for others to believe in God. (RM M'Cheyne)

Thanks for your advice jambo,

I'm not in authority in any way in my church, I'm just a member of the church who is allowed to preach. I only preach once every couple of months... in the evening (when half the church doesn't attend the servicde!)I'm also the worship leader there (the other worship leader is the pastor). There are no elders in the church, only the pastor in leadership. So I don't have any authority to bring about change in any way, and myself don't feel qualified to teach others about evangelism. I've been listening online to sermons from some of the American reformed churches and long to hear that kind of message here. Don't get me wrong, the bible studies in the services are perfectly biblical to my knowledge, they just don't challenge me.

You may not have official authority within the church, but as a preacher you carry authority whilst declaring the word. I looked at your profile and noted you were from near London. I would have thought there would have been a number of reformed churches nearby either within FIEC or the likes of Grace Baptist or Baptist Union churches (some of those would be reformed) or other independent churches. We should not think of church and what we can get out of it but what we can contribute to it. To use President Kennedy's much quoted phrase: "Think not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country." It is helpful to apply that to the local church.

Sometimes even Reformed churches can fail in applying Gods word in practical ways to a persons life, but that is something you have to work out yourself.