Nick Lear inducted as Regional Minister 

The latest induction at the Eastern Baptist Association completes the team, writes Hayley Beckett

This last year has been a white knuckle ride for the Eastern Baptist Association with many ups and downs, left and rights, but last Saturday (15 November) signalled the end to the ride and the beginning of a new adventure.

It was with great delight the EBA once again came together to welcome and induct the Revd Nick Lear as our new Regional Minister.

The service took place at Central Baptist Church, Chelmsford one of the churches within the area that Nick will be based. Friends, family and members from some of the EBA’s churches gathered together with one Regional Minister from our partner Association and other local ecumenical representitives. The Revd David Mayne, our EBA moderator led the service with worship provided by the church in Chelmsford.
 
Linda Campbell, of Spurgeon's College and a member of the appointing panel shared a story of how it was very clear that Nick was the right person for this role “at such a time as this”. It had taken three attempts at finding the right person and many hours of seeking God, as a group, on who he was calling into this role. She talked about the interview day and how God was very clearly leading the panel and to make this decision.

Nick then shared openly about when the adverts had come round the first two times he was very content to pray for the right person and move the emails into his deleted items folder.

The third time, following a consultation with the churches and a slight re write of the job description, many people he counted as friends and trusted collegues kept saying to him that maybe he should apply for the role. Reluctanly but obediently he submitted his application making it very clear that this was the case. He was very surprised to be called for interview but during the process felt God changing his heart and speaking to him that this was where God wanted him. When receiving the call that evening he was completely at peace with accepting the role and knew wholeheartedly this was the right thing.
 
David Mayne, the Association moderator led the Induction vows, and it was a real blessing to have Nick standing surrounded by his wife, Sally, the current EBA team, partnership representative and members representing different ecumenical bodies committing to a renewed working relationship to further the Kingdom of God within our area
 
During the service there was also opportunity to induct Richard Lewis (pictured centre alongside Nick, left, and Simon Goddard, right) into the role of Regional Minister Team Leader. Richard takes on this role from Paul Hills who is retiring early in 2015.
 
Nick then preached, entitled “A preach to myself (you may listen in if you wish)” in which he shared that a Regional Minister's role is to come alongside each church, stand with them for better or worse, richer for poorer in sickness and in health, and be involved in partnering with them to enable them to share the Gospel.

He finished by saying he always ends his blog with the same phrase, to remind himself and any readers that God has richly blessed us in order that we can go and bless others.
“Be Blessed and be a blessing.”