SIR: Your coverage and interest in the welfare of Bethel Church, Clarence Street is demonstrated by the space of your article "Come and (we'll) be Saved" (BEN, September 27).
Without question, I am sure that BEN meant well by its publication. Unfortunately, the emphasis was entirely too much upon myself (rather embarrassing) and talk of "destruction" and "bulldozers" is inappropriate since the building is new.
Yes, I am the new pastor and that is important, but the people are far more important than the pastor! In just a few weeks I have come to realise they are warm and friendly. They love the Lord and want to be more like Him. Their deepest concern is not self-preservation but that God is honoured. They are persuaded that to "come in and (we'll) be saved" is not about coming to the church, but people coming to the Lord Jesus and finding forgiveness and hope. This is what Bethel Church is about and this is why people should come.
Pastor Ron Stidham.
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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