CTFC CHAIR STEPS DOWN AFTER 10 YEARS

At the last AGM of CTfC I stepped down from the role of Chairman.  I was thanked for holding that position for 10 years and surprised with a lovely cake featuring me in a rocker!  I was thrilled and encouraged by the kind thoughts and appreciation.  Actually we have a great team of people who drive all our initiatives forward.  I have felt very privileged over all this time whether that has been accompanied by excitement and faith or the occasional frustration.

10 years ago, like many other leaders, I had little desire for joint church fellowship and ventures.  It wasn't any bad feeling or intent, it's just that you get so busy advancing the church you lead and sometimes you have all on keeping your head above the water!  Sometimes there's neither the time nor the inclination to consider anything else.

However in 2006/7 church leaders did come together to talk and plan outreach events for 2008. Faith arose and a new desire to work together found expression under the banner of Hope 08.  We evangelised out on the street with Cliff College and put on meetings such as 'Indescribable' and 'The Evidence'.

How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! ..... 

For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life for evermore. Psalm 133

 It confirmed to me the truth of  Psalms that God blesses unity and that where one can defeat a 1,000, two can put 10,000 to flight!  We proved that we can do so much more together than we can do separately.  We are brothers and sisters advancing the kingdom together.

We saw the principles of  HOPE worked out in front of our eyes.

• demonstrating God’s love as local churches work together, meeting needs in our communities
• continuing to love and serve people whatever they choose to believe
• inviting people to go further in their spiritual journey by sharing the gospel with words in culturally relevant ways
• giving people opportunities to respond to the gospel, then connecting people who do respond into church life

Soon great ventures began which by the grace of God and the tireless work of his people have been a great success.  These include Street Pastors, School Pastors, ROC Cafe, 3 Foodbank distribution centres and warehouse, provision for the homeless and a soup kitchen every night of the week. 

Our God is a God of restoration, he wants to revive and refresh his church so we can revive and refresh our neighbourhood, town and indeed our world.  He transforms lives and communities.

You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
12 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,  Restorer of Streets with Dwellings. Isaiah 58 11:12

I pray that God's blessing, favour  and an anointing of the Holy Spirit will be on the church in Chesterfield and all that we do in the future together.  Remembering that we have one enemy, that we are one people with one kingdom to build and one Lord and one day the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Praise God!

Keep up the good work & God bless you all.

Dave Bunting