1990.
Wilf presented at the AGM 24th March 1990, his Report - "The Vision" which
centred on a renewed Church. It was reported at the meeting 18th June 1990,
that Eynsford Baptist Church had joined the Evangelical Alliance. It was
also announced that there would be an "Is there"? series of sermons
for Sunday Mornings - for example "Is there a God"? - "Is there Heaven"?
etc,. The Deacons' meeting of 11th April reveals that members of the Church
were involved in 'Task Force
Romania' - this was an Aid effort to seek to aid Children who had been
let down by the Communist system and lived in appalling conditions.
1991.
The AGM was held on the 23rd March. It was reported that the Youth Club had
a new identity - WACCY - "Wicked And Crazy Christian Youth" - this met Wednesday
Evenings in Church and discussed such topics as Creation versus Evolution,
the New Age Movement. The Summer Club for Children was badges as the "Young
Detectives Club". It was in this year that the Church celebrated their
Bicentenary.
1992.
In this year, the Pastor, had begun his second decade. The beginning
years were marked by solid mission, and various initiatives seeking to regain
ground lost at Eynsford Church in the years before he had accepted the call
to Eynsford. The year started well with a join Prayer and Praise Meeting
held with the local Anglican Group of Churches, on the 13th January. It was
at the AGM where questions were asked - Leadership - who was at the helm.
There was pressure from certain quarters - where was the church going? Clear
goals were requested. In November 1992, a questionnaire - The Way Forward
was circulated.
1993 A Green Church - looking after the environment.
The church magazine for January 1993 revealed a concern about the environment
a good decade before it became fashionable so to do. The church magazine
had this to suggest;
NEW YEAR GREEN RESOLUTIONS
From the Eynsford Baptist Church Magazine January 1993 |
This year, I/we will:
Reduce heat in homes and turn off unnecessary lights
Use biodegradable cleaning products
Re-use envelopes
Resist using the car for short walkable journeys
Ensure effective insulation of church and home
Eat a little less!
Compost organic household waste
Increase the use of recycled paper for church news-sheets
and mailings |
If there are not enough bottle banks or paper collection points
in the area, write to the local council OR
ask about more kerbside collection and recycling facilities and how the church
can help the council meet its recycling targets
Take a new initiative to combat poverty
Use fair trade products such as Cafe Direct or other products
from Traidcraft
Learn how to encourage wildlife in the garden or on church
land
Plant a tree in ' 93 |
In response to the 1992 Baptist Assembly Resolution, and the Rio
Conference on the Environment
(UNCED),
and...
". . . in the hope that the creation itself will be liberated from
its bondage to decay . . . "
ROMANS 8:21 |
|
Decline and the need for remedial action - Cell Church before Cell
Church!
The Church at Eynsford had declined slowly - and perhaps imperceptibly. 100
members going down to 95, may not be seen as a problem - and 95 to 90 - still
a viable Church. Another generation passes and the Church is down to 80 -
still a good number for a Village Church. However the 'imperceptible' becomes
very perceptible as the membership nosedives. In 1933 it stood at 104; 1947
at 98; 1969 at 79; 1973 at 69; but by 1984, it was recorded as 37. In the
research on the Deacons' minutes, no numbers were found for the years 1973
to 1984, where the biggest losses are to be located, and in evidence of this,
the meetings held in 1978 with the Vine, suggest the membership figure was
a worry. Wilf had been engaged in Evangelism from the beginning, and did
not wish to stand still. One of the results of the Church Survey was an action
plan, this was discussed on the 1st November 1993. Wilf had learnt that one
of the ways to grow was via small groups - which today would be labelled
as "Cell Church" - this was given more prominence with such books as "From
Cell to Celebration" by Larry R Evans, The Neighborhood Home Bible Study,
1990.
The Leadership structure had been made leaner, with a smaller Diaconate,
consisting of the Pastor and four Deacons, but with a large circle of Leaders
running activities. There were 19 programmes or ministries in operation needing
communication. This task had been divided between four Deacons to act as
link persons to the Pastor. This was a communication structure not an authority
structure. One of the questions was "why not Wilf"? - in terms of being the
link person. It was argued that the time needed for regular contact with
19 group leaders with his other duties (Teaching Ministry, Pastoral Visiting,
the task of being an Elder, and close work with the Deacons) would have meant
too large an increase in his work load. The Biblical example was such as
the advice of Jethro to Moses - [Exodus 18: 13-27 cf. 2 Timothy 2:2 - also
note the advice of Dwight Lyman Moody (1837-1899), a man greatly admired
by Charles Haddon Spurgeon "Prince of Preachers" (1834-1892) ; "It is
better to set a hundred men to work than to do the work of a hundred men"].
1994.
At the AGM of 2nd March, it was announced that EBC had linked with the
"Churches
Together in Swanley". The Pastor gave his report, which had noted that
between 1952 to 1982, there had been steady decline (from the evidence in
the mid 1970s the decline accelerated), and in recent years with renewed
outreach endeavours the Church seemed unable to break through the 50 barrier.
One of Wilf's ways to seek to grow the Church was in small groups (which
had proved true in other Church communities, and for which he had argued
previously). At the meeting of 23rd May, the following areas of Church life
came under the following leaders; Fellowship; Wilf Stanbury (The Pastor),
Worship; David Stanbury, Ministry; Alaine Somerville, Evangelism; Marie Wolfe.
Also because of the wide variety of activities (or ministries) a Leadership
Forum was created. In that period a mission statement was adopted;
"A fellowship to share and a faith to
proclaim"
Our fellowship is with the Lord Jesus Christ, a fellowship expressed with
one another; it is out of this fellowship with Jesus, and demonstrated in
our fellowship with one another, that we have a faith to proclaim to those
around us. |
1995 "And Darkness came over the whole
land" Mark 15:33
From 1995, to 1997 formed one of the saddest chapters in the history of Eynsford
Baptist Church since the divisions in the Church in 1841. Unnecessary energy
was spent on dividing a Church, with a vocal group criticising the Pastor,
and the direction of the Church.
At the AGM 27th April 1995, it was revealed that the Pastor was not always
paid in full if other costs had to be met. Concern still centred around the
low membership numbers. It was judged that if all the members attended, there
would be 40 - 46 at worship. The figures for those in worship in 1993 were
34-36, and sometimes as low as 28. Communion was a concern. It was commented
that the early Christians devoted themselves to the breaking of bread, but
at Eynsford Baptist Church - 6 people! On Good Friday only 7. It was also
noted that there was a perceived lack of trust in the Pastor. The minutes
note that for example an agreement was sought "for the Pastor to produce
a diary of his weekly commitments", and comments that this was "in
total opposition to biblical teaching".
The Deacons' minutes of 6th March and 5th June, seem to indicate much of
the issue was about worship, and perceptions of what it was to be 'spiritual'.
The Church was emerging from years of being a traditional Baptist Church,
to becoming a more charismatic fellowship. For some, the pace was not fast
enough.
The troubles continued at the Quarterly Church Meeting 3rd October 1995.
The minutes record that the "Pastor felt that he was being told that he
wasn't working hard enough". A survey was carried out, which whilst it
had not demonstrated this from the respondents, it did reveal a divided Church.
It was not just the Pastor who was "in the sights", a questions were raised
about the "low profile of the Diaconate". What a contrast to the comments
on the Pastor a decade earlier - when those that made up the Church then
recognised the hard work, which had encroached on Wilf's free time! One reply
given was that; "if members of the Church felt that they have outgrown
what we can offer in E.B.C. that they may need to look elsewhere for the
spiritual growth they require". |
Hebrews 13.
7. Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word
of God; consider the outcome of their life, and imitate their faith.
17. Obey your leaders and submit to them; for they are keeping watch over
your souls, as men who will have to give account. Let them do this joyfully,
and not sadly, for that would be of no advantage to
you.
1 Peter 5.
5. … you that are younger be subject to the elders.
Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for "God
opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
6. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that in due
time he may exalt you.
|
|
Analysing the Quarterly meeting on the 16th October, the Deacons' were concerned
that the Church had reached its low point, and that some folk had expressed
a spiritual hunger but felt that they were not being fed. In comment, it
could be that such feelings may be located in perceptions, rather than reality
- whatever the truth of the matter - there was a lack of full unity which
was not helping the Gospel.
At the Deacon's meeting 20th November, there was some discussion on the small
group concept - but three out of the four Deacons were not fully convinced
about this as a way ahead.
1996.
The minutes of the Quarterly Meeting of January 1996 reveal a continuing
problem - however these minutes reveal this, that; "some members were
unclear as to what the problems were" - they could see no problem! A
new Doctor had arrived in Eynsford, with his wife Sally. At the Deacons'
meeting of 6th March, it was noted that Wilf had chatted to Bennie and Sally
about membership and they they were very keen. The arrival of Bennie and
Sally was going to prove providential with Bennie, a local GP (eventually
becoming an Elder in the Church), and a stabilising influence. At the Deacon's
meeting just before the AGM, on the 1st April (April Fools
Day!) Wilf requested a Deacon with a church member to visit Bennie
and Sally Delport concerning church membership, with a positive outcome.
Alpha Course.
The troubles however continued and further discussions took place at the
AGM of 23rd April 1996. Wilf was keen to seek reconciliation with those who
were critical of the Church under Wilf's pastorate, and at the Deacon's meeting
of 27th June Wilf expressed the view that if reconciliation failed, that
there would still the maintenance of Christian love between the parties.
Wilf and the Deacons had resolved to seek mediation by a third party
to try to resolve the differences. The Swanley
Mediation Service was approached. The Service had two committed Christians
on the Staff who would by sympathetic to the issues. The mediation meetings
took place in August, through to November and some preliminary details were
discussed in the Deacon's meeting of 6th October. Whilst such issues dominated
the Deacons', and Quarterly Church Meetings, the essential life of the Church
continued, and in the Deacons' meeting of 5th August the current Alpha Course
was discussed. It was that first Alpha Course which began to turn things
around.
1 John 2
19. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been
of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out, that it might
be plain that they all are not of us. |
|
Wilf and the Deacons were committed to resolving the differences, so that
the Church could utilise the strengths and energies of all its members, for
the sake of the Gospel. Despite the attempt at mediation, and the time and
commitment given to the process by Wilf and the Deacons, after the mediation
meetings and consultations had run their course, a number of resignations
were received by the Deacons' meeting 11th November 1996. The long drawn
out episode of a division within the Church was sad and to be regretted,
and with the loss of good people it was evidence of failure. Some of those
who had left the Church, had been for a period in the late 1980s and early
1990s a part of the Diaconate, and with others had contributed to the
work and life of the Church. Such divisions and failures were not unknown
within the New Testament period, as the discussions between Paul and Peter
reveal (Galations 2 & Acts 15), and such comments as are contained in
1 John.
|
Perhaps, if all had read the good and timely advice by Charles Spurgeon in
"John Ploughman's Talk;
or, Plain Advice for Plain People" things may have turned out differently
- especially in the reading of Chapters 2 and 10. The Book is
definitely worth buying - however click the link on the title to read all
the text. |
"Sometimes it is the way the preacher speaks which is hauled
over the coals. Here again is a penny field for fault-finding, for every
bean has its black, and every man has his failing. I never knew a good horse
which had not some odd habit or other, and I never yet saw a minister worth
his salt who had not some quirk or oddity: now, these are the bits of cheese
which cavillers smell out and nibble at, this man is too slow, and another
too fast; the first is too flowery, and the second is too dull. Dear me,
if all God's creatures were judged in this way, we should wring the dove's
neck for being too tame, shoot the robins for eating spiders, kill the cows
for swinging their tails and the hens for not giving us milk ". John
Ploughman's Talk, Chapter 2.
"Faults or no faults, ploughing must be done; imperfect
people must do it, too, or there will be no harvest next year. Bad ploughman
as John may be, the angels won't do his work for him, and so he is off to
do it himself ". John Ploughman's Talk, Chapter 10. |
|
Regrettable as it was, the resignations at least allowed the Church to begin
to recover from the darkest period of its life since the problems of the
Church back in 1841. At the Deacons' meeting of 9th December, consideration
was given for practical steps to take the Church forward. The losses
of membership were financially affecting an already precarious existence.
1997.
At the AGM of 5th April 1997, local GP, Bennie Delport was elected as a Deacon
of the Church. Bennie was able to give real support to Wilf. Despite the
encouraging signs, the financial strains were such that at the Deacons' meeting
of 12th May, this note appears in the minutes about the fact that the Treasurer
had; "paid off all out-standing accounts which had left the current
account with an overdraft of £388.99. which meant that there was no
means of paying Wilf's salary this month."
The troubles of 1995-1997, did allow Wilf, as a Pastor, a period of reflection,
which perhaps would not have been, if life had "sailed on" without incident.
At the Church Quarterly Meeting of 27th October, the minutes note this;
"Wilf explained that when he felt God's call into the ministry he had
a vision of how that was to be achieved, he went to Bible College and then
was called to a church, but that somehow, how to proceed after that was never
considered, it was as if being a student and then being part of a church
was just something that 'happened' both for the pastor and the members, but
was about the next step? Wilf explained that once he was in a church how
to implement the vision for the church was not something that had been part
of the agenda at Training College and it had been easy once established in
a church setting to become sucked into the day to day activities without
stepping back and considering how to achieve the 'vision' but a vision is
vital. "
Wilf then went on to outline his vision for the Church; 1) A Church that
glorifies Jesus; 2) A Church open to the Holy Spirit; 3) A Church that fulfils
His desires & gives Him pleasure; 4) An outward looking Church; 5) A
growing Church; 6) A forward thinking Church; Summed up in Matthew.28:19.
1998.
Echoes of the difficulties were still to be heard at the AGM of the 7th April.
Finances were getting extremely low - and in the Deacons' minutes at the
end of the year 18th November, the emergency loan from the Home Missions
was discussed. This money was to give a breathing space of nine months. The
Home Missions fund was able then to give a grant to support the Ministry.
Energies in this year were spend on preparing for a renewed Church and looking
forward to happier days.
1999.
At the Deacons' meeting of 26th August, the Constitution was examined, as
part of the preparation for the renewed life of the Church. At the meeting
of 4th September the new Constitution was discussed, with a new condition
for membership being inserted - that was the "submission to the authority
of the Leaders". Like Moses, Wilf had led the Church up to the boundary
of the Promised Land, but did not enter it (Deuteronomy 34:1-4).
Although wishing to go earlier, Wilf agreed to stay to the end of the year,
having accepted a call to go to Bromley Common, from which after seven happy
years he retired from the full time Ministry in 2006.
To be continued............. D.V.
Compiler The Rev'd Dr Michael Foster
|
Eynsford Christian Fellowship
(Baptist)
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