Do You Remember The A-Team?

Do you remember the A-Team? Every week there’d be that bit when the situation looked hopeless and the odds were stacked against them. They’d usually be stuck in a deserted workshop or aircraft hanger, surrounded by loads of Military Police, with no way out. But then, to the accompaniment of some stirring music, they’d start fiddling with some toilet roll tubes, wire coat hangers and a MIG welder…

I think that’s a good analogy for Exeter Vineyard at the moment. We had to move out of St. Peter’s High School with very little notice and although we’re indebted to Riverside’s generous hospitality over the summer, their hall isn’t large enough for us once everyone’s back from their holidays.

At the moment we don’t have too many options for our Sunday meeting place. I don’t think we can realistically expect to move back into St. Peter’s for at least the next few months, and at the moment we still don’t have enough information to know whether the hall will even be suitable for us anyway.

In fact, my experience these last few weeks as we’ve searched for a Sunday venue is of pushing a lot of doors only to find they’re closed at the moment. Like the A-Team, seemingly stuck in the workshop, we don’t really have a lot of attractive options. But maybe because I’ve seen the A-Team too many times (or maybe because I know what a wonderful God we serve!) I’m not feeling particularly worried.

Without fail every episode, to the amazement of viewers, and to the horror of the assembled police, the A-Team emerge from their hopeless situation with a fully-armed battle tank, built from the coat hangers and toilet rolls. Da da da daaaah! Da Da Dah!

I have a growing sense of faith that our situation with property isn’t a problem, but part of God’s opportunity. Who knows what will happen? Not me, but I feel confident that something good will, because I have a confidence that God has a plan for Exeter Vineyard.

In the Bible God says “I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out - plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.”

I want to encourage you to be full of faith during this time of uncertainty. We’re going to have to be flexible, creative, adaptable and open-minded, while all the time remaining a loving community and staying focused (much like the A-Team in fact!)

Please continue to pray for this situation. It’s been said that God does nothing except in answer to prayer. Let’s not be complacent but keep expectantly asking God for his provision. And let’s be patient. Things rarely seem to happen quite as quickly as we’d like, but God sees the bigger picture we can’t. This is a time for us to grow in trust with God.

I’m hoping we won’t end up as nomads for too long, but I can’t guarantee it. If you want to know up to date information you can check the website or phone the office. Even outside office hours the answer phone will have the current information.

I’m excited for the future, and I look forward to saying, like Hannibal always did, “I love it when a plan comes together!”