North African Church Musings

The real church, as we see it, is one in which its members lives are being continually transformed by the gospel.  It sounds obvious, but as the following examples show, genuine Christian faith takes time to settle into people’s character. 

We lead a small group of seekers and new converts from Islam.  Our desire is to do everything in such a way that locals can see it and reproduce it as their own.  Simple chronological Bible stories and the book Master Plan (see book review inside) have proved invaluable.  However, fear and persecution cause many national believers to be more interested in hiding their faith rather than sharing it. 

Our other church involvement here is with a larger African migrant group.  Some arrive as nominal Christians, often holding exaggerated doctrines and practices.  Others, amidst significant transition and difficulty come to faith here.  We now find ourselves, together with several who have developed in leadership, helping to frame the emerging church.  Sadly most have never seen a stable Christian marriage or family in action.  We have by default become their spiritual parents, literally mothering and fathering them in the issues of life.  What privilege and what responsibility!

It seems to us that if church was based on how “I” feel, focused on my life and needs, then we’d have given up and left long ago.  The fruit of good discipleship is healthy Christians who display obedience to his word, a willingness to reach out, perseverance, and a growing relationship with God and his people.