The reasons for FIEC’s existence are obvious.

After all, the apostle Paul constantly thanks the Lord for other churches, speaks of the examples of other churches and praises God for how churches help each other. Each church should have a keen interest in churches across the world and across the British Isles, so that the nation will be reached for Christ. When I joined the FIEC Trust Board it was fascinating to see how these biblical principles are put into action. How does FIEC keep to its stated aims? What is the vision from the inside?

First committee

My first meeting was a bit intimidating. There was a Scotsman, a Geordie, an accent impossible to nail down, which certainly started in Texas, but otherwise men with similar accents and backgrounds (I wondered whether I was there to make up the quota for the uneducated with thick regional accents!) Soon I realised that wasn’t the case at all. I never felt anything other than listened to. Now I think of these men as real friends. The meeting started with Mark Lawrence chairing. Mark is the most impressive chairman of a meeting I’ve come across. His ability to remain thorough and enthusiastic through some of the dullest subjects was breathtaking. He seems to have the skills I’ve always wanted. His church in Dunstable is quite something and well worth a visit if you ever get the chance, although it is unlikely Dunstable would be your first choice for a holiday! The first person to speak after Mark was National Director John Stevens. He shared an idea he’d had (John has a lot of ideas). It all sounded great and he had clearly put a lot of work into it, but I was not terribly convinced. I started to think: ‘Why does this happen in my first meeting? How am I going to put my objection into words as politely as I can?’ Then came a sentence you would never hear in Wales. A deep voice started: ‘John, we value your understanding of this and there is no-one I respect more for thinking through issues of this nature.’ At this point I thought: ‘What is going on?’ ‘Your ability to analyse the wider scene really is second to none,’ he continued with a few more flourishes. Then the punchline: ‘But on this occasion, I am sorry to say, I think you’re just wrong’. It was the politest way I had ever heard of disagreeing with someone. But it was firm.

I glanced at John. He shrugged. ‘Do others agree?’ Everyone nodded. ‘We won’t do it.’

A good agenda

That really set the agenda for me. Most of what was brought to the Trust Board was passed; but it’s the churches that run FIEC through the Board. Opinions for the good of the church were the driving agenda; not once did I feel anyone was on a power trip, everyone was interested in serving the churches of the Fellowship. That was the desire of the Board – including John.

We disagreed on church practice and even approaches to preaching, but everyone loved churches that preached Christ. Our styles of church were different, most would say they were Reformed, but the word is so devalued; maybe I should say it is a given that the Bible is taken as our authority. In the tradition of Lloyd-Jones, Spurgeon – anyway you get my point. The aim of all of us is serving churches – not just saying that and then telling the churches how to behave – actually serving churches to reach the nation is what it’s all about.

John saw his job and FIEC in that way – in fact almost too often John would say that the centre of FIEC was not in Market Harborough but in the churches.

Getting people together

John Stevens is quite different to my first impression of seeing and hearing him in a public meeting. He is an incredibly tall man. Somehow, he joyfully does a job that really, when done properly, is very difficult. It is not quite herding cats, but not far off. His strength is getting people together, organising, having real vision for the nation, seeing a problem and seeing a solution. It is always hard in such a public role to see the work he does but just looking at FIEC and the vibrancy of the churches that belong gives an insight into his work; it is impossible not to warm to him when you see him in the Trust Board meetings. It is obvious that he is the right man for this job.

As far as the Trust Board meetings went, I was amazed how much time was taken by members trying to see if there were ways of helping churches different from their own. The church revitalisation project seems a bit like trying to raise a nuclear submarine from the depth of the sea without it blowing up. But there was a huge desire to put smaller churches at the forefront of FIEC’s thoughts and efforts – and a stubborn determination not to give up.

There were legal and financial matters – these were far from my own strengths. Thankfully everyone else was active in asking questions and pushing FIEC forward. Some knew about legal matters, others business practice or finances, everyone about church life.

There were phrases that always made me smile. One of my favourites was: ‘Can I push back a little on that?’ which means: ‘We’re going to take apart what you’ve just said.’ Another was: ‘Maybe we need to be more intentional.’ I am still at a loss to find out who these people are doing church unintentionally!

During one of my last Trust Board meetings the subject of helping churches in poor areas came up. I could have spoken up, but I didn’t get a chance. The strength of feeling and the love for churches in areas nothing like their own was moving beyond belief. These men were chosen because they love church and love all churches that preach the gospel. They want the gospel to go out to the least-reached areas – including areas unlike the places they serve.

Areas of concern?

FIEC is growing and vibrant. I think the danger is that sometimes, and only sometimes, the structures of FIEC are over-emphasised. At times, when FIEC is spoken about the emphasis is on the new things, or structures to help churches.

But in Trust Board meetings the emphasis is the churches. Why? Because each church in the Fellowship is gathered by God around Christ and is given the Spirit of life. Its structures are there because each of these churches wants ‘to know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.’

Every church in FIEC (like all gospel churches) is a miracle of God’s grace and is worth thanking God for. In Trust Board meetings that is the heart of FIEC. That does come across, but I wonder whether it comes across enough.

Also, maybe FIEC punches beneath its weight. It represents churches where, week by week, the work of the kingdom goes on. Not everything in the British Christian world is like this. I have Christian mail to my church almost every day. Hardly any of it is how to encourage the church – it’s nearly all about how we as a church can help someone else’s agenda. I sometimes feel FIEC should have a louder voice to say: ‘This is what the Bible says’. What the Bible says is how we should be serving churches.

I loved my time on the FIEC Trust Board. I wish I could have carried on, but from what I can see the FIEC is in safe hands. I pray that more exciting things are coming and look forward to continuing to being part of the heart and centre of the FIEC as I serve in the church the Lord has called me to.

Steve Levy is pastor of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, Swansea