Father's Day at Balestier

It was a privilege to be invited to conduct Father's Day meeting at Balestier Corps, (my home Corps,) this morning. It was a great time of fellowship and we were truly blessed.

Balestier is a very friendly church and everyone is made to feel welcome.

The probability of new people becoming actively involved in a church is directly related to the number of friends they develop soon after joining it. Survey shows those who have found new friends and formed personal relationships within the congregation are more likely to remain in the church and become more actively involved. Those who stayed had developed an average of m
ore than seven new friends in the church.

On the other hand those who dropped out could identify an average of less than two friends. This may not be due to the church members being unfriendly. The new members may not be overtly rejected. Often, dare I say, there is a superficial level of friendliness. So let us not go just for superficial courtesy – this ‘nice to see you’ then leaving them. They are forgotten. “The opposite of love is not hate; it’s indifference” says Ken Abraham.

Let’s offer people genuine friendship, enquiring about their families and seeking to bless them with any practical help we can give. Try and sit with them on the same table. Let us love them with the love of the Lord. Every person is precious in the eyes of God.

            In Christ there is no east of west,

               In Him no south or north,

            But one great fellowship of love

               Throughout the whole wide earth.  John Oxenham (SASB 826)