Never Walk Alone - 15 June 2025

Dear friends of BCUCI wonder—do you have someone in your life that you would say has been a partner in the gospel? I mean, if you consider something you do now or have done, that you would see as your 'ministry', whether in the church or outside it, a calling from the Holy Spirit that you have acted upon, is there someone who has joined you on that journey? That person may have changed along the way. It could be a partner or a family member, a friend or a colleague.The latter half of the book of Acts largely follows three missionary journeys of Paul and his companions. On the first journey, we read that the Holy Spirit sent Barnabas and Paul. Jesus had a habit of sending disciples out in pairs into villages to minister and to spread the Good news about Jesus and the Kingdom of God. The whole story of the formation of the early church rarely involves a person acting alone. Christianity was never meant to be done solo. The work of the Holy Spirit is communal, shared, and not intended for lone rangers in ministry.Yet, for many years in Australian society, there has been a sense that religion is a 'private thing'. This was partly an attitude to avoid unnecessary sectarian conflict and an attempt to 'respect religious freedom'. Yet to hide and keep private that which is foundational is both suppressive and out of step with the work of the Holy Spirit.Like it or not, God calls Christians, new and old, to work out their God-given calling and to do their 'good works' in partnership with others, as part of the family of God. Like the song they sing at Manchester United football matches: “You’ll Never Walk Alone.” The people may change depending on the destination. Paul journeyed with many different people. Who might you have with you now? Who might God be calling you to join tomorrow? As they did at the beginning of Acts chapter 13, why not pray and fast about it?I look forward to unpacking some of Acts chapter 13 with you this Sunday.Your brother in ChristBenji