Message from Tim

Peering ahead… 

Soon after lockdown started, Sue and I were disconcerted to see groups of people on television who were not observing social distancing. Since whatever we were watching was filmed long before coronavirus hit, this should not have struck us as surprising, but it did. ‘Normal’ is what experience leads us to expect. As more restrictions are lifted this week we are being released from the routines to which many of us have grown accustomed over the past 15 weeks, and rather than ‘getting back to normal’, it may still feel as though we are just feeling our way further into the unknown. I am reminded of driving from Effingham over the North Downs past Leith Hill one night through thick fog, where all I could see was the side of the road just in front of the car: you can’t stop; you just have to keep going, slowly and carefully.

So – at the moment, I can’t see very far ahead at all. We have been told that churches can open again for prayer and worship, but as I write this post, specific government guidance has not been made available, and Michael and I have not yet had a chance to meet with the deacons so we can talk through our options. At this moment in time, it looks like we will only be allowed to gather in groups not exceeding 30 in number, with ‘one metre plus’ social distancing, but probably without singing and without refreshments. There’s nothing normal about any of that! It certainly means that a big morning service can no longer be the focal point of our fellowship. But actually lots of churches have been revitalised by putting small groups or cells at the core of their identity: these are groups where everyone is involved in discipling, creating community, developing evangelism and encountering God (celluk.org.uk). Is this the way ahead?

The plus side is that we are allowed to gather in groups of 30 to worship together – that means that small groups can meet up and see each other face to face rather than via Zoom. There is the chance for families to come and explore faith together. There may be opportunities for prayerful, reflective, creative worship. Some people have been missing in-depth bible exposition – maybe some of us could gather to explore what the gospel means, so we understand it better and have more confidence in what we believe? And maybe it should all start with meeting for prayer?

I have always believed that a ‘one size fits all’ kind of spirituality simply doesn’t work. Well, if we can’t all be in the same place at the same time, these coming weeks present an opportunity for us to tailor what we do around who we are, in different groups throughout the age range. Actually – that’s quite an exciting prospect!

And – to reassure those of you who don’t feel ready to venture out just yet, I do hope that our online services will continue to be a weekly feature of life at BRBC.

God bless!