27 Jun 2025, 08:20Pastor Kirk Thomas, SEC PresidentWatford, Hertfordshire, England, United Kingdom
SEC President's Letter 26th June 2025
Greetings, Brothers and Sisters.
The thought of a lamp with no lightbulb in it is unfortunate enough. Imagine if this lamp were to be found within a lighthouse, specially built to guide people out at sea safely to shore. Or if this lamp was among millions that ought to be lighting a city, but in the absence of light, the town was in darkness and couldn’t be seen by those trying to find their way home. Just like a lamp without light in a darkened city, a church without the presence of Christ in the midst of it and all it does would hold no signs of spiritual life, His love, truth, or mission because it would be indistinguishable from the world around it. It, too, would lose its way, its purpose, and its identity and become powerless in standing against the spiritual darkness of our time. This terrible situation cannot be allowed to happen in either our local congregations or our Church here in the south of England.
Our vital need for “Christ in our churches” is captured as the third Spiritual Mission of the South England Conference’s Inspired for Mission strategy. The section about it there reads as follows: “‘Christ in our churches’ is about creating spaces that are nurturing and safe, centres of learning and evangelism, and hubs of active service and outreach. It’s about harnessing the diverse gifts of the congregation for a united purpose, fostering a sense of community and belonging, and extending the love and teachings of Christ beyond the church walls into the wider world.”
This special picture, in many ways, gives us a glimpse of the ideal signs of compassion, love, learning, growth, and fulfilment when Christ’s presence is burning brightly. Therefore, for us to seek an experience like this is a choice; I hope we will all make it.
In the most serious Biblical accounts, we see the problem of the absence of the presence of God even for one moment, including in the lives of those who held prominent leadership roles like I believe our Church does in these times, e.g., King Saul (1 Samuel Chapter 15) and Eli the Priest (1 Samuel Chapters 2-4). Some were not even aware that God’s presence wasn’t with them at a given moment. In any case, the absence of God foreshadows a loss of purpose and a downfall with tragic consequences for future generations. Even those who started well but then made decisions that went against God’s Spirit yet remained loyal to Him in the end show that we cannot take the presence of Christ for granted. For example, Samson the Judge (Judges 16:20) and King David (2 Samuel 11:1-13) prayed that God would not take His Spirit from them (Psalm 51:11-13), but rather that the joy of salvation would move them to share God with others.
You may have seen some short videos within Christendom depicting Jesus coming to Church for a visit, but The congregation does not recognise him. Sadly, in one of them, He has to remain outside the doors. What needs to change for us to have a fuller experience of Christ in our churches, so His presence and work go unhindered? Are there practices in worship, church meetings or other interactions that make it clear we need to remember our purpose? Does a loss of focus on following Jesus’ example, including how He treated people, mean that visitors to our churches meet with unnecessarily uncomfortable experiences rather than a warm welcome?
Has formalism, a focus on self, lone-ranger leadership, over-administration, and control been allowed to counteract the work of God in any local churches or departments? Or do we take too much licence with God’s grace, in this way, also promoting personal agendas, short-changing the power of our witness? Let’s pray that Jesus will help us keep our focus on Christ and all He stands for in every aspect of church life. May the transformative presence of Christ fill our churches and move us with the joy of salvation so that in life, word, and deed, we reflect the truth of His existence in an ever-darkening world.
In other news, let us continue to pray for our upcoming General Conference, Scheduled for 3rd – 13th July 2025. Please also pray and support our SEC Camp meeting on 23rd – 26th July 2025. This Sabbath, there will be baptismal services at the London Ghana, Wood Green, and South Croydon SDA Church. Wherever you go and whatever you do, BE INSPIRED FOR MISSION!
Greetings, Brothers and Sisters.
The thought of a lamp with no lightbulb in it is unfortunate enough. Imagine if this lamp were to be found within a lighthouse, specially built to guide people out at sea safely to shore. Or if this lamp was among millions that ought to be lighting a city, but in the absence of light, the town was in darkness and couldn’t be seen by those trying to find their way home. Just like a lamp without light in a darkened city, a church without the presence of Christ in the midst of it and all it does would hold no signs of spiritual life, His love, truth, or mission because it would be indistinguishable from the world around it. It, too, would lose its way, its purpose, and its identity and become powerless in standing against the spiritual darkness of our time. This terrible situation cannot be allowed to happen in either our local congregations or our Church here in the south of England.
Our vital need for “Christ in our churches” is captured as the third Spiritual Mission of the South England Conference’s Inspired for Mission strategy. The section about it there reads as follows: “‘Christ in our churches’ is about creating spaces that are nurturing and safe, centres of learning and evangelism, and hubs of active service and outreach. It’s about harnessing the diverse gifts of the congregation for a united purpose, fostering a sense of community and belonging, and extending the love and teachings of Christ beyond the church walls into the wider world.”
This special picture, in many ways, gives us a glimpse of the ideal signs of compassion, love, learning, growth, and fulfilment when Christ’s presence is burning brightly. Therefore, for us to seek an experience like this is a choice; I hope we will all make it.
In the most serious Biblical accounts, we see the problem of the absence of the presence of God even for one moment, including in the lives of those who held prominent leadership roles like I believe our Church does in these times, e.g., King Saul (1 Samuel Chapter 15) and Eli the Priest (1 Samuel Chapters 2-4). Some were not even aware that God’s presence wasn’t with them at a given moment. In any case, the absence of God foreshadows a loss of purpose and a downfall with tragic consequences for future generations. Even those who started well but then made decisions that went against God’s Spirit yet remained loyal to Him in the end show that we cannot take the presence of Christ for granted. For example, Samson the Judge (Judges 16:20) and King David (2 Samuel 11:1-13) prayed that God would not take His Spirit from them (Psalm 51:11-13), but rather that the joy of salvation would move them to share God with others.
You may have seen some short videos within Christendom depicting Jesus coming to Church for a visit, but The congregation does not recognise him. Sadly, in one of them, He has to remain outside the doors. What needs to change for us to have a fuller experience of Christ in our churches, so His presence and work go unhindered? Are there practices in worship, church meetings or other interactions that make it clear we need to remember our purpose? Does a loss of focus on following Jesus’ example, including how He treated people, mean that visitors to our churches meet with unnecessarily uncomfortable experiences rather than a warm welcome?
Has formalism, a focus on self, lone-ranger leadership, over-administration, and control been allowed to counteract the work of God in any local churches or departments? Or do we take too much licence with God’s grace, in this way, also promoting personal agendas, short-changing the power of our witness? Let’s pray that Jesus will help us keep our focus on Christ and all He stands for in every aspect of church life. May the transformative presence of Christ fill our churches and move us with the joy of salvation so that in life, word, and deed, we reflect the truth of His existence in an ever-darkening world.
In other news, let us continue to pray for our upcoming General Conference, Scheduled for 3rd – 13th July 2025. Please also pray and support our SEC Camp meeting on 23rd – 26th July 2025. This Sabbath, there will be baptismal services at the London Ghana, Wood Green, and South Croydon SDA Church. Wherever you go and whatever you do, BE INSPIRED FOR MISSION!
