Dear Friends,

‘He gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists and some pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for practical service and to build up the body of Christ until we are united in faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, attaining maturity corresponding to the full measure we see in Christ’. (Ephesians, Chapter 4, Verses 11 to 13.)

Just like Coventry, visit any large town or city and you are sure to find at least one DIY store. The shelves bulge with all sorts of materials for the budding builder-cum-decorator, offering us the resources, should we so wish, to rebuild our homes from top to bottom. But, how many of us actually possess the skills to do so? For reasons of basic safety, if not aesthetics, it is important that we all recognise what we can do and what we cannot!  I might be able to paint a wall but do not think I should try and re-wire the manse!

That simple truth explains why the Apostle Paul laid such emphasis, in his letters, upon recognising our God-given talents. We all have some gifts but no one has them all, so none of us can afford to go it alone. Whether we are talking about building up the Church or building up individual Christians we need others besides ourselves. Yes, we can individually do much but if we attempt to do everything, whatever we create will come tumbling down like the proverbial house of cards.

The Church needs preachers and teachers, evangelists and leaders but it also needs administrators, Elders, cooks and cleaners, in other words, some at the front of the activities and others behind the scenes, but the work of all is integral to the whole.

As well as strengths we have weaknesses, as well as skills we have deficiencies, meaning that whilst there are some things we can tackle, there are others that we should not.

Recognise your gifts and use them to the full, but have sufficient courage, honesty and humility to also admit your limitations and your need of others.

God bless you all.
Yvonne.