St John’s Church, Osmotherley

St John’s at Osmotherley in Cumbria is a merry little church dating back to the 1870s, designed by that ubiquitous Lancastrian firm, Austen and Paley. Assisted by the sunny day, it all seemed very pleasant and cheerful; a friendly church member tending the grounds was only too willing to stop and talk. Despite its relative youth, its outer walls are separating from the inner, and metal bolts have been employed to try and hold the place together. Shifting sands, earthquakes, poor design or plain gravity are conspiring to pull this church down, and its worshippers or their representatives are doing their best to hold it all together. For whatever reason, Salem Chapel does not suffer from this problem, even though she is older. Yet holding her together is something we leaders regularly try to do.

Big personalities, wayward morals, religious experiences and divergent theology will all try and disunite us, to divide us, to dissolve us. What is the solution? Not metal bolts, nor iron leadership, but a focus upon Jesus Christ and Him crucified. While He is consistently preached and remains our primary focus, all else remains in the shadow, and our fellowship stays intact.  

With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; Ephesians 4:2-4

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