CTNA Chairman's Report 2005

It is difficult to quantify the impact of my two years as Chair of CTNA. I have enjoyed it enormously, whilst coping with the frustrations of a limited brief and resources. CTNA is all about Christians working together in our town. It has operated over the last few years with a monthly Saturday morning prayer breakfast and discussion forum. These, plus a special celebration to coincide with the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Easter Meetings, Pentecost Praise, and the occasional 'Special' make up the yearly diary of events, plus the lunchtime meetings for Advent and Lent. A highlight for CTNA every year is the Rest Tent at Newbury Show which provides rest for weary feet, refreshments in a comfortable setting, and a thoughtful presentation of the Gospel pitched through the Puppet shows provided by Rock Solid for children and young people (Older people seem to love them too!).

I am deeply grateful to my committee who have worked with me so faithfully. Particular mention needs to be made of our Secretary Ron Burke, our Treasurer Chris Ward, and our Vice Chairman Brian Taylor.

Thank you all so much for all your hard work on our behalf. Thanks too to all the other members of the committee who have given me invaluable support.

During the last few years we have seen a Christian Coffee Shop and Bookshop established, a major outreach over the summer through the ministry of Tony Anthony and the exciting work of Newbury Alpha with many churches here working together for the glory of God. This is a major development and something for which we should really praise God. This, plus the ongoing work of COINS Trust, Loose Ends, the Bible Action Group, the YMCA, the Gideons, SUSTAIN with their quarterly celebrations, and a developing youth vision and programme, show a really positive church determined to reach out with the love of God to our needy town.

There is, then, much for which we should praise God. There is a wealth of activity in our town with Christians working together.

The more we love one another the greater will be the impact on our town. Jesus said 'By this will all men know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.' John 13 verse 34. This was His great New Commandment to the Church, and this is what makes the church special and different from everything else. The Church carries the Presence of God. The Church demonstrates the Goodness of God. And the love of God is poured through us to a needy world. There is no more powerful 'visual aid' promoting faith than the church working together in harmony with the love of God evident among us as we serve the Lord together.

So my prayer for the church in Newbury is that we will love one another deeply. We don't have to agree on everything and we probably never will, this side of heaven. What unites us - our common experience of the love of God and our faith in the Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ - is truly wonderful! God takes pleasure in us when we join together to serve the Lord. The world is impressed by the love of God demonstrated though a united church. May the Lord help us to love one another deeply as we have been encouraged and commanded so to do. May God bless you all. Amen.

lan Gardner November 2005