This was my letter for the annual Church AGM. It’s prompted me to dig out the old ones and see where God has brough us in nearly five short years. You’ll find them here

http://richardperkins.blogsome.com/2007/07/05/2006-a-year-at-ccb/

http://richardperkins.blogsome.com/2007/07/05/2005-a-year-at-ccb/

http://richardperkins.blogsome.com/2007/07/05/2004-a-year-at-ccb/

http://richardperkins.blogsome.com/2007/07/05/2003-a-year-at-ccb/

Dear Friends

2007 will be remembered as the one in which we lost a friend and a brother. This year has been overshadowed by the death of James Meagher. Because of the side effects of his drugs and the debilitating influence of his tumours James was not able, in the last year of his life, to participate in church life as fully as he would have wished. Therefore some of us may not have known James very well. You missed out. James was one of the original group that prayed for and planted CCB in October 2002. From the outset he was an integral part of everything that we did. I especially appreciated his servant hearted willingness to get involved in activities for which he possessed no real appetite! James unfailingly turned out for footy on our tiny church weekends away so that we could make it five a side. He did this even though his preferred mode of sporting participation was to be sat in front of Sky Sports! The most praiseworthy thing that I can find to say about James is that, like his Lord, he was a servant. Though none of us miss him like Sarah does, we all mourn his absence.

I suspect that for many of us James’ death has put many things into perspective. The following four lessons are those things that I think the Lord has taught us through this sad event.

1. Life is rarely without trouble

Very often life does not turn out exactly as we’d hoped. Many of us learn through painful experience that the unexpected is often just round the corner. Some of us have had to cope with big burdens this year. Not all of us, but some have. The anxiety, despair and emotional energy expended in trying to ‘soldier on’ are exhausting. Some of us have had to deal with the death of loved ones, painful personal relationships with family members or colleagues, sickness and health issues with our children, the ongoing consequences of incidents in our past and the crushing disappointment of unfulfilled hopes and expectations, to name but a few. Christians are often accused of being so weak that they need God as a psychological crutch to cope. You’re telling me we do! But how much better to lean on the Lord and avail ourselves of His help than to deceive ourselves into thinking that everything is OK and we can manage on our own. James’ death is one incident amongst many that reminds us that life is rarely without trouble.

2. Church is not a hobby

Being part of a church because we’re into Christian things is not like joining, for example, a knitting group because we’re into knitting. Church is not a gathering of people with a similar interest in Christianity. It’s a family. And God is our Father. Some of us have perhaps begun to realise that this year. We’re a part of a group of interdependent people who give and receive support and encouragement. We’re not supposed to be a collection self-sufficient individuals who just happen to meet together on Sunday and in a small group. The Bible’s image of the body is such a helpful one because it makes plain that the different members of the body are supposed to rely on one another. The mutual support Church provides isn’t just practical expressions of love. It must never be less than that. But it’s more than that. For example, in the light of James’ death many of us have needed to be reminded of the big truths of God’s word. We’ve needed to know about God, Jesus and the Bible, about life, death and resurrection and about sin, suffering and persecution. In the everyday ongoing battle to be Christ’s disciples Church is supposed to provide us with everything that we need to keep going. No knitting club could ever provide that sort of help!

3. Evangelism is urgent business

It’s a continual battle to maintain gospel priorities as individuals and as a church. There are so many things that distract us from Christ’s Great Commission to make disciples of all nations. Many of those things that distract us are good and worthwhile. But we need to go on remembering that there’s nothing as worthwhile as offering hell bound sinners, as we once were, the hope of eternal life held out in the gospel. Sometimes to convince us of something we need the Lord to make things unmistakably clear. James’ death had the effect of doing just that. God reminded us of eternal realities. If James had not been a Christian he would not now be with His Lord. It is that clear. We do not become followers of Christ by accident. The Lord chooses those who are His. But the means by which he saves those whom He has chosen is through the faithful prayerful evangelistic efforts of weak people like us. As we stumble our way through our gospel outlines and half baked apologetic responses to people’s questions God is saving people from hell for heaven. Evangelism is urgent business and must remain our ongoing priority.

4. Christ is a wonderful saviour

As distressing as we may have found the events of James’ death, our grief was eased by our gospel hope. The gospel promise of life, both in this world and the next, is founded on the glorious work of our Lord Jesus Christ. Our eternal rescue is assured because Jesus’ ability to save is unsurpassed. He is the consummate rescuer. In His life, death, resurrection and return Jesus has accomplished everything that had to be done to save us from the pervading influence of the world, the internal inclination of our sinful flesh and the external provocation of the devil. Christ has overcome all our spiritual enemies. The gospel is the declaration of his triumph and the invitation to share with him in it. James’ death is a reminder that left to ourselves, in the words of Gadsby’s great hymn we face ‘death, destruction and despair’. But it’s a reminder supremely that Jesus is a wonderful Saviour. Knowing James I’m confident that this is what he’d like us to remember, not only in 2007 but for the rest of our lives.