Ministry Monday: “Reach, Build, Send” and Suffer (Lee Gatiss)
Revd Dr Lee Gatiss gave us the final talk of the 2016 JAEC conference: "Reach, Build, Send: A Pattern for Anglican Ministry". In his talk Lee spoke from 2 Tim 2: 1-13, explaining how suffering is a major theme throughout 2 Timothy, for instance Paul tells Timothy to share in suffering in vs 3. Likewise we too should be prepared to suffer for the gospel and not to become entangled in the affairs of this world, but instead, living for God requires hard work (as the illustrations of the soldier, athlete, and farmer show)! It will be worth it though, as godliness is of value now and also in the life to come. Lee then encouraged us to persevere in the Church of England, to remain steady and firm amidst the difficulties we face, and not to be tempted away into an easier, faithless ministry.
The talk was a useful and helpful summary to the conference, and reminded us of the future glory we will experience if we remain faithful to the end.