Rough ride over Rover?

Following the break-up of the British Leyland/Rover Group in 2000, four businessmen (who famously bought the Longbridge factory in Birmingham and the associated Rover cars for £10!) had tried to revitalise the company and enter into a business partnership with a large Chinese automaker to provide a basis for future operations.

These negotiations were reported as going well and close to final approval when they suddenly collapsed, revealing poor underlying finances and causing the company to be put into administration.

The directors have been accused of impropriety but no one really knows what happened, and no doubt in time the truth will come out. Scripture is apt as ever: ‘It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes’.

EN: How did you find out you had been made redundant?

A: The government provided finance to keep the company afloat for one week. On Friday April 15, we were told in meetings that due to insolvency we should clear our desks and not return on the Monday. After 24 years in the company that was it!

EN: What was your reaction? How did your family take the news?

A: Personally speaking — relatively calmly. God has seen us through numerous trials before and he and his Word do not change: ‘For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’ (Jeremiah 29.11). A fear is, however (rather like Job who reacted initially in a godly way to his greater trials), that time may yet give way to doubt and depression — a pattern I am personally prone to. As is so often the case, wives feel the burden more acutely, and many tears have been shed, but we have consoled each other and sought the Lord together, and she has quickly risen to the challenge of the days ahead. We are very blessed in having two of our three teenage kids saved and the third thoughtful about spiritual things — they have been great with encouraging words, prayers, and no hard words regarding the prospect of moving home!

EN: How have you seen God's hand at work in the situation?

A: First, the great blessing of living in the UK — the panoply of people and agencies (I mean government departments, trade unions, etc.) who despite many system shortcomings try their best to cushion the blow. Benefits are not generous, especially if one has some means, but at least there is something! Many countries have no such provision at all.

Second, the many messages of prayerful concern from Christian brothers and sisters that have meant a lot, and have challenged me already as to how often I have simply phoned or sent a short note to folk in their trials.

Third, recent providences of God — an attempt to move home closer to work last year ‘failed’, and in a recent remortgage process a financial advisor suggested increasing our mortgage protection policy which we did (though the claim is awaiting approval!).

EN: Have you experienced redundancy before?

A: Not really. I have lost my job numerous times before — you don’t work in the motor industry without becoming almost ‘used to’ regular reorganisations — and have faced potential redundancy. To date God has always provided a job somewhere within the new organisations. This is the first time I have had to ‘sign-on’ the ‘rock’n roll’/dole/Job Seekers Allowance.

EN: You no doubt have non-Christian colleagues who have lost their jobs. How are they taking it?

A: To be honest I need to find out — I live a long way from the factory as do some of them, and with such a short ‘notice period’ (two hours) there was little time, but to say the overall mood was sombre is an understatement. Most in my patch were highly skilled and confident about finding alternative work, but for a few it was clearly a body blow. TV news showed some men crying and I could understand this, particularly among workers who for years had known nothing different and had mortgages but were unable to afford savings, protection policies, etc.

To know one is a child of God and in his care is privilege indeed! ‘So do not worry, saying: “What shall we eat?” … your heavenly Father knows that you need them’, and, ‘Are you not much more valuable than they?’ [the birds whom he feeds] (Matthew 6.31-32, 26).

EN: Has losing your job affected you as a man, a husband and a father?

A: Not yet — others have shared feelings in similar circumstances of loss of value, not being able to be the provider etc., so I have been forewarned! I have felt rather the need to lead the family in this time and be the man, the husband, the father that God has called me to be in these circumstances. It is early days however, and the Lord alone knows how this trial may yet develop and my response to it.

EN: Do you have any ideas about what the future might hold?

A: None! I am not unrealistic that finding work that my experience qualifies me for may take time, and that I may need to consider alternatives.

EN: Has your church tried to help in any way?

A: Our church has been great, and we have been prayed for publicly. Some have offered practical help due to involvement in the recruitment business. Old friends have also been kind — one praying with me over the phone. These are our key needs at present, as in our circumstances we are not in immediate financial need. How good it is to be numbered among the people of God!

EN: Has your personal walk with God been upset by this time of trial?

A: Being honest, this hasn’t been going well for some time for separate reasons, but God is using the ministry at our church and this time of trial to draw us closer to himself as we increasingly feel our need to put our hands in his as we tread the unknown road ahead. I don’t believe that God has caused this crisis for our spiritual benefit, but I can truly see the hand of him who ‘in all things…works for the good of those who love him’ (Romans 8.28).

EN: What can we be praying for you as a family?

A: Please pray first for God’s people who are in more desperate and immediate need than ourselves, that their same Heavenly Father may provide for them according to their circumstances.

Again, please pray before us for the thousands of unbelievers affected by this crisis that they may reconsider their lives built upon the shaky foundations of this world and consider him who brings hope in this life and the next.

Finally, for us, a new drawing close to himself, sustaining grace in the days ahead, wisdom as interviews and offers begin, and clear guidance of God as to what he wants us to do and where.