Taking a tough job - An interview with Jonathan Stephen

Jonathan Stephen, who for many years has pastored Carey Baptist Church in Reading, takes up the position of Director of British Evangelical Council from September. Known as a man who likes to get things done, EN asked Jonathan about what the future might hold . . .

EN: Can you remind us of the function of BEC and how it came into being?

JS: The British Evangelical Council was founded in 1952 in response to the false ecumenical movement-which was on a roll following the establishment of the World Council of Churches four years previously. Among other things, BEC was intended to provide mutual support and a representational voice for churches that wanted to affirm their fellowship in the truth of the gospel. Currently, there are 13 evangelical church groupings affiliated to BEC plus other independent congregations, making about 1,200 churches in all.

EN: You have been quite a sharp critic of BEC in recent years - why was that?

JS: Mainly, out of frustration. For far too long, BEC has occupied the best ground on the battlefield but hardly left its tent. In my experience, many Bible-centred, gospel-driven churches, whatever their traditional, denominational label would love to declare and demonstrate their oneness with each other. They understand it as a New Testament imperative, and they see the huge benefits to the gospel of a united witness and of the sharing of information and resources.

But where do they turn? I have godly friends who think their only viable option is to work under the banner of the Evangelical Alliance. They might agree (privately, at least) that EA is doctrinally weak, ecumenically compromised and charismatically dominated but 'at least it's doing something'.

And what has been the alternative? I have accused BEC in the past of being too narrowly Reformed, culturally disengaged and defensively negative. I stand by those criticisms. It's little wonder so many healthy evangelical congregations have never even heard of it! And all the time, the gulf between EA and BEC has been widening so that, increasingly, good churches have felt they couldn't find a home in either camp.

EN: Having been a critic, you have now taken this job. How did that come about?

JS: Well, no one's more astonished than I am! In 2001, we were polling the churches in FIEC, which incidentally comprise over a third of the BEC's membership, as to whether there was any point in retaining the relationship. That low point was the culmination of repeated FIEC appeals over the years for BEC to reform its structures, ethos and approach in order to meet the needs of the present day. At the same time, for the impending 50th anniversary of the founding of BEC, I wrote some Jubilee Proposals, outlining some of the principal changes that many of us felt were essential. But our expectations at that point were virtually zero.

Then an amazing thing happened. The BEC Executive called a residential conference in March last year to which quite a wide array of interested and concerned parties were invited. It was evident from the start that there was an unprecedented openness to change. Within 24 hours, there were new vision and mission statements prepared, new structures proposed, and a total re-launch, with a new name and refreshed priorities, firmly on the agenda. The responses from the constituent bodies were warm and encouraging. The next I heard was that they were looking for a Director, to replace the role of General Secretary, and people were urging me to apply.

I didn't take the suggestion very seriously at first. Who in their right mind would want to take that on? But then I began to see the possibilities. Maybe the Lord was in it, after all. I made it as plain as I could that I had not changed my position. I told them I had absolutely no leading to leave my wonderful family of believers at Carey and that I would only therefore consider a part-time situation. In fact, I made it as easy as I could for the BEC Executive to take a safer and more comfortable option. But in the end they pledged me their unanimous support if I would take the job. That is a real tribute to their grace and courage - and with God's help I'm determined not to betray their trust. So here I am, as many have said, 'poacher turned gamekeeper'.

EN: What do you hope BEC can achieve in the future?

JS: I believe passionately that Christian unity is a vital tool for promoting the gospel, and, because Christ intends to build his Church through his churches, their united witness is essential. The new BEC will tread lightly. There is no intention of constructing ponderous, bureaucratic structures, let alone some imperial Super-Church. All that is required is a loose but visible network that creates a mutually-supportive sense of community, and a platform for purposeful partnership whenever required. There needs to be a trusted forum where churches may learn together and promote one another's initiatives for God's kingdom. The ideal is that churches see the new BEC not as something to which they belong, but as something which belongs to them.

My longing is that a revitalised BEC can be a significant catalyst in the formation and reformation of vibrant, evangelical churches throughout the UK and Ireland. So we hope to be into church-planting in a big way - and also promoting the restoration to spiritual health of drifting and failing congregations. If I were to choose a new strap-line, it would be something like 'Church-centred Partnership for Bible-centred Christianity'. I would like the new BEC to be seen as an increasingly valuable facilitating and co-ordinating resource with which all classic evangelical churches would want to identify.

Incidentally, it often surprises people to learn that Anglican or Baptist Union churches, for example, could have joined even the old BEC without leaving their denominations-provided they were clearly not involved in fellowship with those who were unfaithful to the gospel. This position will remain unchanged. The main difference will be that we shall now be actively inviting such churches to express their true affinity by partnering with us. I believe there is a tremendous opportunity here for dismantling ancient, but nonetheless wrong and artificial barriers between genuinely Bible-centred churches, whatever their churchmanship. The potential simply for clarifying the essence of what it means to be a truly evangelical church is a thrilling prospect in itself.

In the public arena, the new BEC will seek to do all it can to shift popular perceptions of Christianity, and in particular, of evangelicalism. The average non-believer only knows of two extreme perversions of the Christian faith: the ever-shifting liberal establishment and the emotionally-charged, self-indulgent wackiness that dominates the satellite channels. The new BEC will seek to restore a general awareness of biblical Christianity, the kind that once shaped our nation - and could yet again. It will do this in association with various specialised para-church agencies which we hope will be a new feature of BEC in the future.

There are a number of detailed proposals in the pipeline in connection with all the above and in line with other BEC mission statements. As they are in the process of negotiation, it wouldn't be fair or helpful to mention them here. I don't officially begin my role until September 1, but obviously a number of things are being attended to over the summer. The aim is to re-launch the BEC no later than the spring of next year, by which time we hope to have several significant initiatives in place.

EN: What should people be praying for you?

JS: It's been humbling to hear from so many people who are already praying that the Lord will bless this new venture. I believe we are living in momentous times and the possibilities are limitless. I would love friends to pray that I won't be ground down by the cynicism and small-mindedness that so often characterise the sounder reaches of British non-conformity. It is not arrogance to dream big dreams - if they're for God's glory and the honour of his Church. High on the wall, over one of our new church meeting-rooms, we have inscribed William Carey's famous motto: 'Expect great things from God - Attempt great things for God'. That's how it ought to be. Well-meaning Christians will no doubt besiege me with reasons why the whole project is wrongly-conceived and bound to fail. But, although I hope I will always listen to wise counsel, I'm going to press ahead anyway, because the Lord has laid it on my heart. Pray that I will hear from many who will share the vision.

I would also be very grateful if people would pray that I will be able to balance my responsibilities. No one could wish for a more loving and understanding congregation than my own but I must not take advantage of them. I am so thankful to have Basil Howlett as my fellow-pastor, and Simon Medcroft, also on the pastoral staff. Please pray for them as their workload is increased.

Last, but not least, please pray for Sheila. She is always busy in her various ministries but is the one who will be left alone when I'm off on my travels and who will feel the inevitable flak most keenly-even though it was never meant for her.