Dear Friends,
During our morning worship we have been able to hear and study the lives of two prophets. Both Elijah and Elisha made a considerable impact upon the people of their time. During the fifty or so years when Elijah was a major player in events he was able to halt a steady decline into pagan worship – a series of cults that were obsessed with self – and turn people back to the one true God.
Succeeding Elijah was Elisha who opened the eyes and understanding of people who were struggling with their faith and, again in a period of around fifty years, led them closer to the Lord. Prophecy is a strange mixture and there is one misconception which has almost become folklore. Wrongly, prophecy is perceived as being able to forecast future events. Fortune-telling, horoscopes, tarot cards and a host of other agnostic activities claim to predict things to come but prophecy would never make such a bold claim. In order to understand prophecy we have to see that there are men and women who are inspired by God to speak up for the downtrodden, seek justice for everyone and pursue a path of peace. Quite often a prophet has to remind his listeners that we are not individual gods who command an important role but, instead, we serve an Almighty God whose rightful place comes before everything and everyone else.
There may seem a major leap between Old Testament prophets and our 21st Century world but there are events taking place where prophecy has its place. What I am about to suggest to you does not emerge from a political angle because we have professional politicians who will deal with such matters. My concerns arise from a faith perspective and are as well as giving up their time then, realistically, we may expect to seethe demise of many organisations which have, until now, enabled our town to function well. Naturally, I am against parking charges being levied on those who wish to attend a place of worship on Sundays because it is just one more level of discriminating against Christians.
Fracking is set to come to North Yorkshire soon. The proposed site for initial work is Kirby Misperton, a small village probably better known for having Flamingo Land Zoo and Theme Park close by. Initially fracking will turn a tourist place into an industrial region thus altering the nature of the village. The company which carries out fracking is just one among many and, as the gas being sought is found under much of the county, it will not be long before fracking sites appear from York to Scarborough and the landscape will change from rural to industrial. In balance, though, the Chancellor of Exchequer will receive substantial income from taxation raised through gas production. Just as parking charges will radically alter our town, so fracking will change the county. I don’t see my views in a grand sense as being prophetic yet I want to speak out for others who will be confronted by life-changing events.
Evangelising has its place in prophecy and, at last, I feel I am able to be positive about a change! Our town centre churches are going to work together in a new way with the ‘Harrogate Hub’. At a recent meeting of Churches Together in Harrogate this concept was explained as a base in which community could be fostered, in which local needs could be addressed using the long-term resources of the church, and in which networking could occur.”
Using a town centre property which has been purchased by a donor, the ‘Hub’ will help members of churches in working together so they may be more effective in serving our local community. At present I am just whetting your appetite but as further details become available I will make certain that everyone at West Park is kept informed. You see, prophecy is about building up God’s Kingdom and we all have a role to play!
Your Minister and friend,
John