1 Corinthians 12:12 “For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.”
How do you make connections? There are several ways we can connect with others, but, are these connections meaningful and are they spiritually edifying?
On Sabbath 27th April 2024, three churches within Area 4 were able to gain a deeper understanding of the “Power of Connection”. Individuals had the opportunity to attend two of the four seminars centred around the theme, which was led by Pastor Royston Smith, SEC Personal Ministry Director.
How many of us have ever considered the different avenues through which we can establish meaningful connections with others? We have access to Cornerstone Counselling, but how aware are we of the benefits of counselling? Week in, week out, some of us attend Sabbath School, while others skip this part of the service, to get to church, just in time for song service. How many of us have ever stopped to think of the purpose of getting to church for Sabbath School on time? With the time we spend on our phones, when on Facebook, or Instagram, are we simply scrolling through, or are we being intentional with our use? Lastly, as members of the body of Christ, do we have the desire to be filled and used by the Holy Spirit? These questions were all answered in one of the four available seminars to attend.
Cornerstone Counsellor, Kossi Singo led a seminar titled ‘Designed for Connection’. He went through the four types of connection, physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. One of the sisters explained that she found it challenging during Covid as it took away her chance to physically connect with others. Sister Vicky from Chatham shared that she found that this session was enlightening, inclusive and was delivered well. She was left to ponder, how we are to be God’s people, making connections with each other and God. Sister Fay from Maidstone reported that what she took from this session was, we need to not allow the traumas we have encountered in life to stay with us to the end of our time on Earth. Instead, we are to make that connection and find someone we can trust and speak with them, be it with a pastor, or someone we can trust.
Pastor Kwadwo Kwarteng-Ampofo, SEC Sabbath School Director, ran a seminar titled, ‘Connecting Through Sabbath School’. He explored the importance of Sabbath School members being the ones who recognise when someone is missing. From feedback, attendees resonated with the notion that Sabbath School is not simply about what you get from the lesson, it is where we form a true connection with others. Brother Daniel from Maidstone shared his takeaway with saying, Sabbath school should be an inviting and welcoming place as the growth of the church can be directly linked to this. To have this level of connection through Sabbath School, checking in on those who do not attend, it allows them to feel confident in knowing that their church family are conscious of them not being present. There is such a beauty and joy in knowing that you are cared for even in your absence.
Our SEC Communication Director, Pastor Petrof Sorin, directed a session on Communicating by Stories. Pastor Sorin shared with participants the most used social media platform and allowed them to think and share methods they feel would be best, not only to reach the SDA audience, but most importantly, those who do not know Christ. It was wonderful to see the young people in the session, actively voicing their views. The session was beneficial in allowing for individuals to identify how the church can utilise the communication department to spread the Gospel in addition to solely doing presentations and sounds. Brother Andy from Chatham church explained that, what he got from the session was how crucial the communications team is in a church, and how challenging it is. He finds the challenge lies in trying to find the most successful way to reach members and external departments.
The fourth seminar was delivered by Pastor Royston, The Holy Spirit, Intercessory Prayer and Witnessing. A key point which ran through this seminar is that we ought to “be a person of prayer” which allows us to be connected to God. Pastor also shared two essential ingredients in soul winning is prayer and faith. These two ingredients help us with our ability to witness to others, for they pull us closer to God. Individuals were left to consider notions such as when we study, it is not for ourselves, but it is for our neighbours. Brother Daniel from Chatham shared that the session made him think about being intentional and making conscious decisions about the desire to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Lastly, the sermon was given by Evangelist Robert Ray Gamboa, Director of Evangelism from the Outpost Centers International. The word given from Evangelist Robert allowed us to have a think about our ‘why’, for, by starting with our why, we will be successful. As well as starting with our why, he urged that we must be converted daily, for “repentance is synonymous to conversion”. Additionally, what stood out was how we can reach people. The word says by their fruits you shall know them, and as Evangelist shared, he and his wife would bring food to a neighbour, no mention of church, just continued to bring food to her, and she knew, through this act, that he was a child of God. Additionally, through the sermon shared, Elder Mashiri from Maidstone grasped that though sidewalk evangelism is challenging, it is possible, even here in England.
Each seminar delivered, along with the sermon, I believe urged us to think, not only about how we move forward as a church, but as individuals. How we move forward should not only be for the physical growth of the church, but should be centred around how spiritually beneficial we are being for others. The seminars not only had an impact on the adults in attendance, but the youth were also left with food for thought.
