Easter message from Lynn Green 

Jesus came and stood among them and said,?“Peace ?be with you!”
After he said this, he showed them his hands and side.
The disciples were overjoyed? when they saw the Lord. John 20:19-20


‘Following, seeking and sharing Jesus’

This message is being sent to all our churches and regional teams on Thursday 28 March

Today I want to encourage and bless you as you remember our crucified Lord and celebrate our Risen Saviour this Easter.

Preparing this message, I am conscious of all your hard work in Holy Week and indeed throughout the whole year and I have been thinking of some of the Baptist churches where I have worshipped recently.

Churches like North Winchester Community Church, Old Colwyn Baptist Church in North Wales, Halwill and Okehampton Baptist Churches, Longfleet Baptist Church, Heaton Baptist Church, Burnham on Sea Baptist Church, Evesham Baptist Church, Woodgrange Baptist Church London, and Barrow Baptist Church.

An awesome snapshot of our beautiful, precious and diverse Baptist family – I only wish I could bottle this somehow so that you could all be inspired by the depth and breadth of the movement that you are part of!

So, whether you worship with hundreds of people, or in someone’s lounge, or surrounded by children and families, or in a new building, or sitting in a building that frankly needs loads of work but is bursting with love, or joining online; together we declare once again this Easter that Jesus Christ is Lord!

At Baptist Union Council last week, we reached a decision regarding marriage and ministry, following a lengthy period of consultation and listening. I know, because many of you have contacted me, that there is a mixture of emotions among us at the conclusion of this matter. Whilst I and others who offer national leadership will continue to listen across our movement, what I am hearing is a broad acceptance of Council’s discernment, together with a deep appreciation of our Baptist identity and a desire to continue together in unity as we follow and share Jesus in our communities.
 
As I have been reading Scripture in these recent weeks, I have been particularly struck by Jesus’ steadfastness. Through everything, Jesus knew who he was and what he was called to do. This was tested in the wilderness, and then proclaimed in Luke 4.

Jesus declared that he was anointed by God to preach good news to the poor, to proclaim freedom for prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour! Later in his ministry we read in Matthew that Jesus summarises all the Law and the Prophets by teaching us to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul and mind and to love our neighbour as ourselves.

Jesus was steadfast in knowing who he was and what God had called him to do and, even through suffering, he was obedient and entrusted himself to his Heavenly Father. And as we know and celebrate now, on the third day God raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in glory.

I see that same steadfastness across Baptists Together.

As a beautiful movement of churches, associations and colleges, we are steadfastly following, seeking and sharing Jesus in all the places that God has placed us, leaning into the richness of our differences to maximise our points of connection and amplify the good news that is Jesus Christ in the world. This is wonderfully illustrated by our new Baptist Together evangelism initiative, Everyone Everywhere which will be launched at our Assembly in May.

After all that has happened, and as we embrace this next season, I am reminded of the disciples’ incredible encounter with Jesus that we read in John 20. Let’s not forget that at that time, the disciples had experienced a huge roller coaster of emotions…

They were grieving, disappointed, afraid, and confused. And I love the way that Jesus doesn’t dismiss these feelings but meets the disciples exactly where they are and speaks peace over them.
   
   “Peace be with you.”

But what I also notice is that he didn’t leave it at that. He also called them afresh with these powerful words,

   “As the Father sent me, I am sending you.”
    And He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”
 
As a new season unfolds I want you to remember our shared commitment as Baptists Together to following, seeking and sharing Jesus.

I am praying that you will be filled with his peace.
As Jesus’ sent ones, I am asking everyone to recommit ourselves to be obedient to this call from God.
Trusting in the gift of the Holy Spirit.
This Easter and beyond.
Christ is risen!  Hallelujah! Amen.

Lynn Green
General Secretary


PS Our Mission Forum recently commissioned several short films which illustrate some of the many wonderful ways we are steadfastly following, seeking and sharing Jesus. Please view them here and share these with your church.