Today Baptist Times reports the agreement of Council to some significant restructuring of BUGB.  The decisions have been made carefully and prayerfully and the implications will be determined over many, many years into the future.  Reading the report is only one level of the story though.  Many people will lose their jobs.  One major challenge for all of us in Baptist churches affiliated to this union (or any other union or convention) is to play our part in making the process as God-honouring as possible.

Behind the story are real people, with real lives and real feelings.  Some will be sad.  Some will be angry.  Some will feel guilty.  Some will feel relieved.  Some will be various combinations of these and other emotions.  Baptist House won't be a comfortable place to be in the coming months; people will work hard to keep the show on the road knowing that their own futures are uncertain.  It behoves us to pray for everyone who works there and to generous and gracious in our dealings with those with whom we have contact.

Mysterious God,

We thank you for the people called Baptist

And specifically for those who covenasnt together within the BUGB

In this time of pruning

Comfort those who are sad

Shelter those who who are afraid

Be a safe space for those who need to vent rage

In the tasks of restructuring

Grant wisdom to decision makers

Compassion to line managers

And hope to those who see no way forward

Hear our prayers...

... and show us how we may live the answers

AMEN