The Macedonian Call

THE MACEDONIAN CALL

Just recently it was reported that the Assemblies in both Minehead and Taunton had closed. No details are available and we are not happy to speculate. But where and while these closures continue to occur the thought arises as to why? Did the Lord Jesus remove the lampstand or was the closure an Assembly decision?
Of late it has also become apparent that more Assemblies are struggling; this is often because of age, infirmity or lack of support. Many companies of the Lords' people only number a handful in fellowship. Increasingly it has been evidenced that larger Assemblies in near proximity to a smaller, struggling Assembly remain reticent to give any support. It grieves my heart! If I am saddened by this lack of affection for other believers, how much more does it bring sadness to the heart of our lovely Saviour?
My own exercise has been for the smaller companies of Gods' people within reasonable distance from my "home" Assembly, and where I reside. In my experience I have found reluctance of many larger Assemblies to address the needs of fellow belivers even in the same town or district.
The "burden" of quite a number of these numerically small Meetings has weighed heavily upon my soul. Prayer is wont to be made for them, and encouragement given to them. Taking responsibility for preaching the Gospel and ministering the Word of God on occasions, relieves the few who would otherwise have to shoulder all the duties and obligations incumbent upon them, never forgetting for one moment the faithfulness of the Lord Jesus in upholding and advancing their testimony for Him!
Little meetings in the area familiar to me continue the difficult, but rewarding task of maintaining a local witness. But it is evident that some are threatened with closure due to fewness of numbers, frailty and feebleness of body. Some appear to lack necessary gift, this is no censure of them on my part. Often gifted brethren have moved away, citing differing and apparently legitimate reasons! But some of these reasons seem lacking in spiritual support.
I know of brethren who are recognised as elders, yet spend considerable time away from their respective home Assemblies. The Word of God teaches clearly that overseers are a local charge, not a gift to the body of Christ universally. One "elder" is spending the first 27 days hundreds of miles from his (alledged) place of service! Is it any wonder that so many Assemblies continue to lose heart, and often lose their way too.
A whole host of "Meetings" claim to be, (at least ostensibly,) Assemblies as we know them, yet their teachings and practices owe little to the New Testament principles of gathering. These frequently practice clerisy "appointing" Pastors or Ministers. In additon they have Senior Leaders, Associate Pastors,  Assossiate Ministers, Administrators, Worship-Leaders, (many of whom are women!) These are all unbiblical and therefore unscriptural; just as much as Vicars, Curates, Arch-Bishops, Arch-Deacons, Sidesmen, Church Wardens, Prelates, Cardinals, Popes and numerous others! Many are associated with other "churches," and linked with committees and organisations.When brethren in local Assemblies choose to fraternise with these gatherings, then credence is given by them, to these unsound bodies of false-teaching.  By such compromise the distinctive testimony of the Assemblies is under-mined and marred.
This compromise of "peace at any price," and the consequent lack of true affection for the struggling Assemblies, will certainly hasten the final demise of the Assemblies in our much favoured Isle.
I would urge my fellow brethren in Christ to become burdened for the Assemblies in decline. Within the "bounds" of my itinerant ministry many Gatherings are in need of spiritual help and fervent prayer. Little Meetings such as Dursley in Gloucestershire, Burnham in Somerset, Canton in Cardiff and Pencoed in South Wales and quite a few more known to me continue the (humanly-speaking) unequal struggle. Brethren please do not expend your spiritual energies at increasing distances from home. It may well be that there is suited and suitable scope for service, such that the Lord Jesus would love you to engage in, right there on your doorstep.
I continue my itinerant ministry with as little absence from my home Assembly as possible. We are very few in number, with just four brethren, and so, as throughout most of my adult life, my fellowship experience has been in small Assemblies. I am therefore I believe, speaking from a sound position, i.e. first-hand.
Finally I am coming to the "title" I have given to this "Post," "The Macedonian Call."
I am hesitant as to what to say, there has been so much "I" in this Post already; but I want to speak of a Macedonian Call that I received. A dear older brother in Christ had published a history of the local Assembly where he gathered to "the Name" with others of a like mind. He closed his brief history by issuing the call, "Come over and help us." The Meeting in question is about 48 miles from Bristol where I reside, within the "boundaries of my "burden." I wrote to him and received a most gracious reply and an invitation to come and preach the Gospel of the grace and glory of God. Over the course of the next three and a half years I continued to preach the Gospel, and minister the Word of God on 24 occasions there, indeed right up to and just after the home-call of that dear saint. The numbers there have since grown, and the character of the Meeting has changed, thus my service is no longer sort for or needed. Perhaps it was the Lord that "shut the door" there after all, for I had the joy of being of help to a brother in the Lord for the remainder of his time here "in the body."
There is nothing for me to boast about in the for-going narrative, but I earnestly pray that others might see the simplicity, yet the urgency of a Macedoniam Call, and readilly respond for the glory of our soon-coming great God and Saviour Jesus Christ.