In 2012 Birkenhead Community Church celebrated our centenary with a special service, followed by lunch. It was a memorable occasion, with many past members travelling from out-of-town (and even other countries) to attend. We enjoyed catching up with old friends, sharing memories, and learning a bit more about our history. It was both encouraging and challenging to recognise what a great faith legacy we have inherited.
That inheritance belongs to every one of us who currently calls BCC home, even if we weren't attending this church in 1912 or 2012. This current pandemic is a significant event for our church and our nation which will bring new challenges and new ways of doing things. The next few months may seem hard and uncertain, but we are not starting in a void, either as individuals or as a church. We can meet whatever task lies before us with confidence due to the legacy, example, and situation established by those who have gone before us – at BCC, in the wider church throughout history, and (most importantly) the victory of Christ himself, in whom we have our strength.
As the old saying goes, however small we may feel at times, we are "standing on the shoulders of giants": we are the beneficiaries of those who have gone before. Or, as the writer of the letter to the Hebrews puts it: we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, the great heroes of the past who inspire us on to achieve greater things.
Over the next few weeks we plan to create a series of posts exploring some of our history here in Birkenhead, and celebrating those faithful "giants" whose Christian service, and love for God and his people, has built up our faith community and shared the good news of Christ with the people of Birkenhead.
If you have any pictures or stories you want to share – or if you want to write an article – then get in touch with us at ourbccblog@gmail.com
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,2 fixing our eyes on Jesus,the pioneer and perfecter of faith. Hebrews 12:1-2a (NIV)
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