From bird migration to Biblical mission

March is the month when flocks of overwintering birds begin to leave the UK. Bird migration is an incredible natural phenomenon that occurs around us, yet many of us do not notice it.

But each year, as many birds leave our relatively mild winters behind to breed further north, birders and conservationists wonder how many will return. Those who dedicate their lives to this work are acutely aware that all is not well. The decline in numbers of once-common garden birds, such as sparrows and starlings, is drastic. It is easy to miss until someone tells you: “House sparrow populations in the UK have declined by approximately 60 –70% since the 1970s, with nearly 30 million vanishing from the countryside and cities.” The biggest problems most declining species face are habitat destruction, food availability, and disease.

When we have a busy church life with some growth, it is easy to miss the bigger picture. It is really comforting to hear about a “quiet revival” and a joy to hear of church plants springing up. We imagine that all is well and fail to notice the decline around us. Why do I talk about decline at a time when many are excitedly witnessing people coming to faith, particularly among the younger generation? Am I just a glass half empty person? Where is the decline? Surely things are getting better? The answer is possibly, but we need to take care of our habitats, food availability, and prevent disease.