Saint Nicholas

He was a 4th century Greek Christian bishop of Myra (now Demre) in Lycia, a province of the Byzantine Anatolia, now in Turkey. Nicholas was famous for his generous gifts to the poor, in particular presenting the three impoverished daughters of a pious Christian with dowries so that they would not have to become prostitutes. He was very religious from an early age and devoted his life entirely to Christianity. In continental Europe (more precisely the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria and Germany) he is still portrayed as a bearded bishop in canonical robes. In 1087, the Italian city of Bari, wanting to enter the profitable pilgrimage industry of the times, mounted an expedition to locate the tomb of the Christian Saint and procure his remains. The reliquary of St. Nicholas was desecrated by Italian sailors and the spoils, including his relics, taken to Bari where they are kept to this day. A basilica was constructed the same year to store the loot and the area became a pilgrimage site for the devout, thus justifying the economic cost of the expedition. Saint Nicholas was later claimed as a patron saint of many diverse groups, from archers, sailors, and children to pawnbrokers. He is also the patron saint of both Amsterdam and Moscow.

Thanks to Wikipedia

Some of the challenges we have faced since we started the church have been valuable lessons for us and hopefully others that plant large growing congregations in the future. The reality of most church plants is that they normally last 2 years before they decline and close. Here in South Wales the average size church is between 25-30 people and most are maintaining some historical event or building rather than growing and reaching new people. Our church was birthed and within months we had seen significant growth and witnessed many coming to faith in Christ. It became quickly apparent that we were now a large congregation. Im not aware of there being any ‘mega-churches’ here in South Wales, yet! A mega-church means that a church has an average weekly attendance of 2,000. So what is a large church? In our context our average weekly attendance is over 500 which has challenges that smaller churches may not face. Here are some of those challenges and lessons.

Suspicion

The amount of suspicion surrounding our church has been quite a shock, when we were smaller in number most churches celebrated us being in the area, then when we witnessed exponential growth it seemed we were not to be trusted and became subject of a lot of suspicion.

Envy

I was aware having pastored a ‘mega-church’ before returning to Wales to start Victory that we would be the subject of envy. Churches would run us down and accuse of us of all kinds of nonsense as what we were seeing was exposing their lack. The Bible exhorts us to rejoice with those that rejoice, and as God was moving mightily we became the subject of complaints from leadership’s within other churches!

Their loveless

Some of those accusations that relate to a large church is that ‘people are not loved’, this is completely untrue, there are more people to love and to be loved! In any smaller congregation everybody knows everybody’s business including the pastors private life. A large church operates not in a better way but a different way as the people understand the demands upon their pastor and care for one another under his leadership. If a church wants to remain small all it has to do is make sure that pastor concentrates on taking care of the 30  people and rather than raise leaders and empower them for the work of the ministry he does it all himself- the one man band ‘pastor’.

Prosperity church

This one is hilarious, but we have been called a ‘rich’ church and a ‘prosperity church’. As soon as a church gets large it will face these perceptions. One person thought I had 4 top of the range cars and I was a millionaire!! I have to be honest here and tell you I take no salary from our church and serve with no financial burden to our congregation. Our church is run on a shoe string budget and most of our congregation are on welfare! We have an awesome volunteer army and people who do everything with excellence which maybe the reason why we are called a prosperity church.

Separatists

The word ‘separatists’ suggests we have nothing to do with other churches yet our experience has been that smaller churches are more protective over their dogma than larger ones. Large churches are secure about their doctrinal stance and can happily and openly dialogue and share with others. We are part of ‘churches together’ in our town of Cwmbran and we are glad to serve and be part of a unified body representing Christ to our town. When we joined we were told that other evangelical churches refused to join as they saw it as compromise. These are the churches that see us as ‘separatists!

Sheep stealers

All large churches will see transfer growth as well as new conversions, in 12 months we have had 248 first time decisions and others have joined us by moving to the area or by leaving their existing churches. We don’t steal sheep, because firstly they belong to God and secondly we concentrate on feeding the sheep! The key factor with many that have come to us has been the preaching/teaching and our children’s program.

What have you got to say?

It does seem that if any controversial ministry roles into town we have to comment on it and tell people what we think. Im probably one of the most vocal when it comes to speaking out but I have learnt hat sometimes to say nothing means it gives them no platform. Once a large church has established a healthy congregation it has more pressing matters than to argue over doctrine with the next spiritual fad.

Pastoring Victory Church and overseeing it’s growth has been challenging yet very rewarding. I have a great team of men around me that carry the weight and volunteers that are dedicated to our mission. These are just some of the lessons I’ve learnt along the way.

Pastor Richard

Dont complicate the Bible, Dont complicate God, Dont complicate what Jesus done for you.

The Bible, is the Word of God, everything in this book is what a Christian needs to live their life as best as they can as God intended.

God is your Father. You are His child. He knows everything about us, He knows everything we need, everything we want. He knows how many hairs we have on our head! He sent His begotten Son to die on a cross so that we may have eternal life with Him. God loves you more than you know.

Jesus came to this earth, to die on a cross, to take on all of our sins, so that we can be forgivven and if we choose to believe in Him, we can live the life that God wants for us, and when we die, we will go to heaven and spend eternity with Him.

Take a second, think about… seriously what is complicated about that? Jesus loves you, He died for you, then 3 days later he rose again.

Eternity is a long time. Its up to us how we spend that time. Dont ponder over the decision. 2 Corinthians 6:2 says “In an acceptable time I have heard you. And in the day of salvation I have helped you” Behold now is the accepted time, behold now is the day of salvation.

I pray for all those who will read this

Victory Intern: Cerian Gough

The room we stood in tonight was only 6 months ago full of the remnants of its history, discarded and redundant, tonight it was relevant, vibrant and expectant.

‘Engage: The Event’ happened here tonight, the objective… Worship, Word and coffee. This simple program, no frills, no fuss, was a simple stripped back time dedicated to our God.

This was the first meeting for the Engage band – like-minded friends all coming together, passionate to serve God in leading us in Worship. Opening the meeting with Chris Tomlin’s anthemic “Our God”, followed by Planetshakers’ “Big” and some classic but totally relevant Delirious songs “Rain Down” and “Solid Rock”, all these songs setting the tone for the meeting and declaring the greatness and our dependability on the One we had come to Worship.

Our very own Pastor Richard Taylor preached the Gospel, with his renowned passionate preaching he shared a Word that was topical and encouraging, sharing through humorous excerpts from his life how we should surround ourselves with people who will build us up and not discourage us, resonating the main objective of ‘Engage’.

The band superbly led the closing time of worship.  The song “Lord I need You, I need You, every hour I need You, my one defence, my Righteousness, oh God, how I need You” highlighting our dependence ultimately and eternally on God, without Him, none of us would have been there tonight.

Tonight has been a culmination of many peoples hard work, passion and devotion to this cause, and there was an overriding response that we are just scratching the surface of what is to come and excitement for what God has in store for us.  This is just the beginning.

Adele Jones

‘Engage’ meets every Tuesday at 7:30

Next ‘Engage: The Event’ takes place on February 3^rd 2012